and he told them to teach the children of Judah the Song of the Bow; indeed it is written in the Book of Jasher:
Parallel translations
- WEB (and he commanded them to teach the children of Judah the song of the bow; behold, it is written in the book of Jashar):
- KJV (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)
- BSB and he ordered that the sons of Judah be taught the Song of the Bow. It is written in the Book of Jashar:
- NASB and he told them to teach the sons of Judah the mourning song of the bow; behold, it is written in the Book of Jashar.
- NLT and he commanded that it be taught to the people of Judah. It is known as the Song of the Bow, and it is recorded in The Book of Jashar.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
David orders the lament taught to Judah and notes it is recorded in the book of Jashar. This preserves the song for the nation's memory.
Overview
The book of Jashar was an ancient collection of poetry referenced elsewhere in the Old Testament, now lost to us. Teaching the song to Judah shows David's intent that the memory of Saul and Jonathan, and the lessons of their fall, be carried forward. Scripture often preserves such songs to shape the worship and memory of God's people.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 3
- Josh 10:13The sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies. Isn’t this written in the book of Jashar? The sun stayed in the middle of the sky, and didn’t hurry to go down about a whole day.
- Gen 49:8“Judah, your brothers will praise you. Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies. Your father’s sons will bow down before you.
- Deut 4:10the day that you stood before Yahweh your God in Horeb, when Yahweh said to me, “Assemble the people to me, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.”
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
God's covenant with David — a son whose throne and kingdom would last forever (7:12–16) — finds its yes in Jesus, the Son of David who reigns without end.
How 2 Samuel 1:18 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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