כה אֵיךְ נָפְלוּ גִבֹּרִים, בְּתוֹךְ הַמִּלְחָמָה--יְהוֹנָתָן, עַל-בָּמוֹתֶיךָ חָלָל. כו צַר-לִי עָלֶיךָ, אָחִי יְהוֹנָתָן--נָעַמְתָּ לִּי, מְאֹד; נִפְלְאַתָה אַהֲבָתְךָ לִי, מֵאַהֲבַת נָשִׁים.
How the mighty have fallen! In the thick of battle—Jonathan, slain on your heights! I grieve for you, my brother Jonathan. You were most dear to me. Your love was wonderful to me, More than the love of women. [Translation by Rabbi Steven Greenberg]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. What does this text reveal about David?
2. David does not speak about his love for Jonathan but about how he valued Jonathan's love for him. What do you make of this?
Time Period: Biblical (early ancestors to 165 BCE)