2 Samuel 1:26
2 Samuel 1:26 in Multiple Translations
I grieve for you, Jonathan, my brother. You were delightful to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women.
I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.
I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: Very pleasant hast thou been unto me: Thy love to me was wonderful, Passing the love of women.
I am full of grief for you, my brother Jonathan: very dear have you been to me: your love for me was a wonder, greater than the love of women.
I weep so much for you, my brother Jonathan! You were so very dear to me! Your love for me was so wonderful, greater than the love women have!
Wo is me for thee, my brother Ionathan: very kinde hast thou bene vnto me: thy loue to me was wonderfull, passing the loue of women: howe are the mightie ouerthrowen, and the weapons of warre destroyed!
I am in distress for thee, my brother Jonathan, Very pleasant wast thou to me; Wonderful was thy love to me, Above the love of women!
I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan. You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was wonderful, surpassing the love of women.
I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been to me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.
I grieve for thee, my brother Jonathan: exceeding beautiful, and amiable to me above the love of women. As the mother loveth her only son, so did I love thee.
Jonathan, my dear friend, I grieve for you; you were very dear to me. You loved me in a wonderful manner; it was better than the way that a woman loves her husband and her children.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Samuel 1:26
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
2 Samuel 1:26 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
צַר
לִ֣/י
עָלֶ֗י/ךָ
אָחִ/י֙
יְה֣וֹנָתָ֔ן
נָעַ֥מְתָּ
לִּ֖/י
מְאֹ֑ד
נִפְלְאַ֤תָה
אַהֲבָֽתְ/ךָ֙
לִ֔/י
מֵ/אַהֲבַ֖ת
נָשִֽׁים
צַר
tsârar
H6887
to confine
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
לִ֣/י
Prep | Suff
עָלֶ֗י/ךָ
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
אָחִ/י֙
ʼâch
H251
brother
N-ms | Suff
יְה֣וֹנָתָ֔ן
Yᵉhôwnâthân
H3083
Jonathan
N-proper
נָעַ֥מְתָּ
nâʻêm
H5276
be pleasant
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
לִּ֖/י
Prep | Suff
מְאֹ֑ד
mᵉʼôd
H3966
much
Adv
נִפְלְאַ֤תָה
pâlâʼ
H6381
to wonder
V-Niphal-Perf-3fs
אַהֲבָֽתְ/ךָ֙
ʼahăbâh
H160
love
N-fs | Suff
לִ֔/י
Prep | Suff
מֵ/אַהֲבַ֖ת
ʼahăbâh
H160
love
Prep | N-fs
נָשִֽׁים
ʼishshâh
H802
woman
N-fp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Samuel 1:26
צַר
tsârar
H6887
"to confine"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To rival means to oppose or afflict someone. In the Bible, this word is used to describe the struggles of the Israelites, such as when they were oppressed by their enemies or faced internal conflicts and afflictions.
Definition: to confine, besiege Another spelling of tsur (צוּר "to confine" H6696A)
Usage: Occurs in 52 OT verses. KJV: adversary, (be in) afflict(-ion), beseige, bind (up), (be in, bring) distress, enemy, narrower, oppress, pangs, shut up, be in a strait (trouble), vex. See also: Exodus 12:34; Psalms 8:3; Psalms 6:8.
לִ֣/י
""
Prep | Suff
עָלֶ֗י/ךָ
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
אָחִ/י֙
ʼâch
H251
"brother"
N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a brother or male sibling, but it can also refer to a close relative, friend, or someone with a similar relationship. It is used to describe the bond between brothers, like the relationship between Cain and Abel in Genesis.
Definition: : male-sibling 1) brother 1a) brother of same parents 1b) half-brother (same father) 1c) relative, kinship, same tribe 1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship) 1e) (fig.) of resemblance
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'. See also: Genesis 4:2; Genesis 42:13; Numbers 25:6.
יְה֣וֹנָתָ֔ן
Yᵉhôwnâthân
H3083
"Jonathan"
N-proper
Jehonathan was a son of King Saul and a friend of David, meaning 'Jehovah has given'. He was also known as Jonathan.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.13.3; son of: Shimeah (H8093); also called Jonathan at 2Sa.21.21; 1x27.32; Another name of yo.na.dav (יוֹנָדָב "Jonadab" H3122G) § Jonathan or Jehonathan = "Jehovah has given" 1) a son of king Saul and a friend of David 2) a son of the high priest Abiathar and the last descendant of Eli of whom we hear 3) a nephew of David who like David slew a giant of Gath 4) an uncle of David 5) one of David's mighty warriors 6) one of David's treasurers 7) a scribe in the time of Jeremiah 8) a Levite and father of Zechariah, a priest who blew the trumpet at the dedication of the wall 9) a son or descendant of Gershom, the son of Moses, and a priest to the tribe of Dan 10) a son of Kareah and a brother of Johanan; a Judaite captain after the fall of Jerusalem 11) another Judaite father of Peleth 12) father of Ebed in the time of Ezra 13) son of Asahel in the time of Ezra 14) a priest of the family of Melicu in the time of Nehemiah 15) son of Joiada and his successor to the high priesthood in the time of Nehemiah
Usage: Occurs in 73 OT verses. KJV: Jonathan. Compare H3129 (יוֹנָתָן). See also: 1 Samuel 14:6; 1 Samuel 23:18; Jeremiah 37:15.
נָעַ֥מְתָּ
nâʻêm
H5276
"be pleasant"
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
This Hebrew word means to be pleasant or agreeable, describing something or someone as beautiful, sweet, or delightful, as seen in the Bible's descriptions of beautiful music or lovely landscapes. It is used to describe things that bring joy. In the Bible, it appears in descriptions of pleasant things.
Definition: (Qal) to be pleasant, be beautiful, be sweet, be delightful, be lovely
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: pass in beauty, be delight, be pleasant, be sweet. See also: Genesis 49:15; Proverbs 9:17; Psalms 141:6.
לִּ֖/י
""
Prep | Suff
מְאֹ֑ד
mᵉʼôd
H3966
"much"
Adv
Meod means 'much' or 'very' and is used to emphasize something. It can mean 'exceedingly' or 'greatly' and is often used to show strong feelings or actions.
Definition: adv 1) exceedingly, much subst 2) might, force, abundance n m 3) muchness, force, abundance, exceedingly 3a) force, might 3b) exceedingly, greatly, very (idioms showing magnitude or degree) 3b1) exceedingly 3b2) up to abundance, to a great degree, exceedingly 3b3) with muchness, muchness
Usage: Occurs in 278 OT verses. KJV: diligently, especially, exceeding(-ly), far, fast, good, great(-ly), [idiom] louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so) sore, utterly, very ([phrase] much, sore), well. See also: Genesis 1:31; 1 Samuel 11:6; Psalms 6:4.
נִפְלְאַ֤תָה
pâlâʼ
H6381
"to wonder"
V-Niphal-Perf-3fs
This Hebrew word means to wonder or be amazed, often at something great or difficult. It describes God's power and miracles in the Bible, like in the book of Psalms. The KJV translates it as 'marvelous' or 'wonderful'.
Definition: 1) to be marvellous, be wonderful, be surpassing, be extraordinary, separate by distinguishing action 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be beyond one's power, be difficult to do 1a2) to be difficult to understand 1a3) to be wonderful, be extraordinary 1a3a) marvellous (participle) 1b) (Piel) to separate (an offering) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to do extraordinary or hard or difficult thing 1c2) to make wonderful, do wondrously 1d) (Hithpael) to show oneself wonderful or marvellous
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, (arise...too, be too) hard, hidden, things too high, (be, do, do a, shew) marvelous(-ly, -els, things, work), miracles, perform, separate, make singular, (be, great, make) wonderful(-ers, -ly, things, works), wondrous (things, works, -ly). See also: Genesis 18:14; Psalms 75:2; Psalms 9:2.
אַהֲבָֽתְ/ךָ֙
ʼahăbâh
H160
"love"
N-fs | Suff
This word means love or affection, describing human love for others or God's love for His people. It is used in many contexts, including romantic love and friendship. The Bible often talks about God's love.
Definition: 1) love 1a) human love for human object 1a1) of man toward man 1a2) of man toward himself 1a3) between man and woman 1a4) sexual desire 2) God's love to His people
Usage: Occurs in 37 OT verses. KJV: love. See also: Deuteronomy 7:8; Song of Solomon 2:4; Psalms 109:4.
לִ֔/י
""
Prep | Suff
מֵ/אַהֲבַ֖ת
ʼahăbâh
H160
"love"
Prep | N-fs
This word means love or affection, describing human love for others or God's love for His people. It is used in many contexts, including romantic love and friendship. The Bible often talks about God's love.
Definition: 1) love 1a) human love for human object 1a1) of man toward man 1a2) of man toward himself 1a3) between man and woman 1a4) sexual desire 2) God's love to His people
Usage: Occurs in 37 OT verses. KJV: love. See also: Deuteronomy 7:8; Song of Solomon 2:4; Psalms 109:4.
נָשִֽׁים
ʼishshâh
H802
"woman"
N-fp
The Hebrew word for woman, used to describe a female person, wife, or animal, appears in many biblical passages, including Genesis and Exodus, and is often translated as woman, wife, or female.
Definition: : woman 1) woman, wife, female 1a) woman (opposite of man) 1b) wife (woman married to a man) 1c) female (of animals) 1d) each, every (pronoun)
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: (adulter) ess, each, every, female, [idiom] many, [phrase] none, one, [phrase] together, wife, woman. Often unexpressed in English. See also: Genesis 2:22; Genesis 34:4; Numbers 5:12.
Study Notes — 2 Samuel 1:26
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Samuel 1:26 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 1:26
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Samuel 1:26
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Samuel 1:26
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Samuel 1:26
- Whedon's Commentary on 2 Samuel 1:26
- Sermons on 2 Samuel 1:26
Context — David’s Song for Saul and Jonathan
24O daughters of Israel, weep for Saul, who clothed you in scarlet and luxury, who decked your garments with ornaments of gold.
25How the mighty have fallen in the thick of battle! Jonathan lies slain on your heights.
26I grieve for you, Jonathan, my brother. You were delightful to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women.
27How the mighty have fallen, and the weapons of war have perished!”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Samuel 20:17 | And Jonathan had David reaffirm his vow out of love for him, for Jonathan loved David as he loved himself. |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 23:16 | And Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and strengthened his hand in God, |
| 3 | 1 Samuel 20:41 | When the young man had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone, fell facedown, and bowed three times. Then he and Jonathan kissed each other and wept together—though David wept more. |
| 4 | 1 Samuel 18:1–4 | After David had finished speaking with Saul, the souls of Jonathan and David were knit together, and Jonathan loved him as himself. And from that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. And Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt. |
| 5 | 1 Samuel 19:2 | so he warned David, saying, “My father Saul intends to kill you. Be on your guard in the morning; find a secret place and hide there. |
2 Samuel 1:26 Summary
In 2 Samuel 1:26, David is expressing his deep sadness and loss over the death of his friend Jonathan. He says that Jonathan's love for him was 'extraordinary, surpassing the love of women', which shows just how special their friendship was. This verse reminds us that friendships are a gift from God, and that nurturing them is important, just like we see in Proverbs 17:17. David's love for Jonathan is an example of the kind of love we are called to have for one another, as seen in John 13:34-35.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of relationship did David and Jonathan have?
The relationship between David and Jonathan was a deep and abiding friendship, as seen in 2 Samuel 1:26, where David expresses his grief and love for Jonathan, demonstrating the strong bond they shared, similar to the friendships described in Proverbs 17:17 and Proverbs 27:9-10
Why did David say Jonathan's love surpassed the love of women?
David's statement in 2 Samuel 1:26 highlights the extraordinary nature of Jonathan's love and friendship, which was a rare and special thing, as seen in the close friendships described in Ruth 1:16-17 and 1 Samuel 18:1-4
How can we understand David's emotional expression in this verse?
David's emotions in 2 Samuel 1:26 are a reflection of his deep sense of loss and grief, which is a natural response to the death of a loved one, as seen in Ecclesiastes 3:4 and Psalms 34:18
What does this verse teach us about the importance of friendships?
This verse teaches us that friendships, like the one between David and Jonathan, are a precious gift from God, and that nurturing and cherishing these relationships is important, as seen in Proverbs 22:24-25 and John 15:13-15
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean to have a friend who loves you 'as your own soul'
- How can I cultivate deep and meaningful friendships in my own life, like the one between David and Jonathan?
- What are some ways I can show love and appreciation to my friends, just as David did for Jonathan?
- How can I balance the desire for close friendships with the need to prioritize my relationship with God, as seen in Matthew 22:37-40?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Samuel 1:26
I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan,.... So he was, not only by nation and religion, but by affinity, having married the sister of Jonathan; and still more so by affection and friendship,
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Samuel 1:26
For thee, i.e. for the loss of thee. For besides the loss of a true friend, and all the comfort of friendship, which is inestimable, he lost him who both could, and undoubtedly would, have given him a speedy, and quiet, and sure possession of the kingdom; whereas now he met with long and troublesome interruptions. The love of women, i.e. that love wherewith they love their husbands or children; for their affections are usually more vehement and ardent than men’ s.
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Samuel 1:26
2 Samuel 1:26 I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.Ver. 26. My brother Jonathan.] Frater quasi fere alter. I loved thee as entirely as any one doth a brother: thou lovedst me as much as any woman doth her husband or child. Of women we say, Quicquid volunt, valde volunt. “ Aut te ardenter amat, aut te capitaliter odit. ” - Virgil.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Samuel 1:26
(26) Passing the love of women.—By this strong expression, comparing Jonathan’s love for David to that of the faithful wife for her husband, David shows his appreciation of that wonderful affection which had existed between Jonathan and himself under the most untoward circumstances. It was such an affection as could only exist between noble natures and those united in the fear of God. In these last verses of the elegy which relate to Jonathan alone, David has given expression to his own personal sorrow.
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Samuel 1:26
26. Distress is upon me — Filled with heart-rending grief. Thy love to me was wonderful — See note on 1 Samuel 20:13.
Sermons on 2 Samuel 1:26
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
God's Everlasting, Unchanging Love by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes God's everlasting and unchanging love, as declared in Jeremiah 31:3, highlighting that this profound love is extended even in the face of human rebellio |
|
The Ministry of Refreshing by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the vital role of believers in the ministry of refreshing one another, as illustrated in Acts 27 and 2 Timothy. He highlights the example of Onesiphorus, |
|
The Apostolic Church by Gipsey Smith | The preacher discusses the concept of 'kindred spirit' or 'isopsuchos' as seen in the relationship between Paul and Timothy, highlighting their like-mindedness, shared feelings, an |
|
Possibilities of Friendship by J.R. Miller | J.R. Miller emphasizes the timeless nature of friendship, illustrating its necessity for human hearts across all ages. He reflects on the unselfish and faithful friendship between |
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The Something Missing by Ernest O'Neill | Ernest O'Neill delves into the deep sense of uniqueness and longing for something more that many of us experience, exploring the eternal aspect of our beings and the spiritual perc |