2 Samuel 1:23

lovely and pleasant Perhaps rather, loving and kindly. The words express the mutual affection which existed between father and son. Jonathan remained faithful to his filial duty even when his father was persecuting his closest friend, and Saul, in spite of temporary outbursts of passion, loved his son to the last. Some commentators would render "in their lives and in their death they were not divided," but the E. V. preserves the balance of the clauses better.

swifter than eagles Cp. Jeremiah 4:13; Habakkuk 1:8.

stronger than lions Cp. ch. 2 Samuel 17:10; Judges 14:18.