How the Mighty Have Fallen...

And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and Jonathan his son, and he said it should be taught to the people of Judah; behold, it is written in the Book of Jashar. He said:
“Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places!
How the mighty have fallen!
Tell it not in Gath,
publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon,
lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice,
lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult.
“You mountains of Gilboa,
let there be no dew or rain upon you,
nor fields of offerings!
For there the shield of the mighty was defiled,
the shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.
“From the blood of the slain,
from the fat of the mighty,
the bow of Jonathan turned not back,
and the sword of Saul returned not empty.
“Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely!
In life and in death they were not divided;
they were swifter than eagles;
they were stronger than lions.
“You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,
who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet,
who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.
“How the mighty have fallen
in the midst of the battle!
“Jonathan lies slain on your high places.
I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;
very pleasant have you been to me;
your love to me was extraordinary,
surpassing the love of women.
“How the mighty have fallen,
and the weapons of war perished!”
(2 Samuel 1:17-27 ESV)
David was a musician.  We would expect that he would respond as such to the death of his king and his best friend.  To the Philistines it was a cause for celebration.  To him it was a loss that seemed overwhelming and unavoidable. If only Saul had chosen a different path, he would have had a mentor, and not have been separated from his kindred spirit.  But did the people realize what they had lost? The backbone of their military. The leadership that had provided wealth. So often we do not know what we have till it's gone. The struggles of Israel were far from over.  The repetition of the phrase is intended to knock the wind out of us: "How the mighty have fallen!"  May it bring us to our knees, humble our hearts, and compel us to ask God for godly leaders.