2 Samuel 1:18-20

Easy-to-Read Version

¹⁸David told his men to teach the song to the people of Judah. This song is called “The Bow,” and it is written in the Book of Jashar.^[a]

¹⁹“Israel, your beauty was ruined on your hills.
    Oh, how those heroes fell!
²⁰Don’t tell the news in Gath.^[b]
    Don’t announce it in the streets of Ashkelon.^[c]
Those Philistine cities would be happy!
    Those foreigners^[d] would be glad.

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Footnotes

2 Samuel 1:18 Book of Jashar An ancient book about the wars of Israel.
2 Samuel 1:20 Gath The Philistine capital city.
2 Samuel 1:20 Ashkelon One of the five major Philistine cities.
2 Samuel 1:20 foreigners Literally, “uncircumcised.” This shows that the Philistines had not shared in Israel’s agreement with God.