Mount Gilboa

In his lament (2 Samuel 1:21), David cursed Mount Gilboa saying 'Let there be no dew or rain upon you, nor fields of offerings.' This poetic curse expressed his deep grief over the deaths of Saul and Jonathan. He wanted the place of their death to be marked by barrenness, reflecting the tragedy that occurred there.

Saul feared that the uncircumcised Philistines would abuse and mock him if captured alive. Rather than face humiliation and torture, he chose to fall on his own sword. His armor-bearer refused to kill him, so Saul took his own life, and his armor-bearer then did the same.

Jonathan and David had a deep covenant friendship. Despite being Saul's heir, Jonathan loved David and protected him from Saul's murderous intentions. David's lament says Jonathan's love was 'wonderful, surpassing the love of women' (2 Samuel 1:26), expressing the profound bond between these two men of faith.

After Saul's death, Israel was divided. David was anointed king over Judah in Hebron, while Saul's son Ish-bosheth was made king over the northern tribes by Abner, Saul's commander. This division lasted about seven years until Ish-bosheth was assassinated and all Israel came to David to anoint him king over the united kingdom.