Albert Barnes Commentary 2 Samuel 1:25

"How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain upon thy high places." — 2 Samuel 1:25 (ASV)

How are the mighty fallen — The recurrence of the same idea in 2 Samuel 1:19, 2 Samuel 1:25, and 2 Samuel 1:27 is perfectly suited to the nature of an elegy, since grief is fond of dwelling on the particular objects of its sorrow and frequently repeating them. By unanimous consent, this is considered one of the most beautiful odes in the Bible, and the generosity of David in thus mourning for his enemy and persecutor, Saul, enhances the effect on the mind of the reader.