David's Lament for Jonathan and the Righteous as Weapons of War

Midrash Shmuel 25:4

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan... [your love to me was wonderful, passing] the love of women" (II Samuel 1:23) — [meaning] more than two women. Which are they? Michal and Abigail: Abigail in this world, and Michal in the world to come. "How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished" (ibid. ibid. 27) — Rabbi Hanina and Rabbi Yonatan, both of them said: From here we find that the righteous are called "weapons of war." ("And the weapons of war perished.")

Themes

World To ComeDavidWarMourningTragedy

Biblical References

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The Book of Maccabees IJudas Maccabeus and David of JonathanThat feeling echoes through the ages, especially when we look at the story of Judas Maccabeus. The Book of Maccabees I, a historical text from the Second TempleMidrash ShmuelGoliath the Provoker and David's Lament Over His Own SonWhen King Amaziah grew proud after striking Edom, Joash warned him in words the sages never forgot: "Why provoke trouble, that you should fall?" From this, taugPesikta de-Rav KahanaDavid Pleads for the Souls of the Martyrs of PersecutionKing David, the sweet singer of Israel, lifts his soul toward heaven in his psalm, and the sages hear in that opening a prayer not for himself but for others. DYalkut Shimoni on TorahThe Cup of Blessing the Patriarchs Refuse and David AcceptsThe verse says simply that the child grew, but the Sages saw in it a glimpse of the final banquet God will set for the righteous in the world to come. When the Tanna DeBei Eliyahu RabbahDavid Asks for Fear, Joy, and TorahDavid refuses to split his soul into neat pieces. In Tanna DeBei Eliyahu Rabbah 3:1, he says his fear lives inside his joy, his joy lives inside his fear, and lMidrash VaYoshaGog, Armilus, and the Two Messiahs in Midrash Vayosha"The Lord shall reign forever and ever", with these words, says the Maggid, Moses turned to Israel at the sea and lifted their eyes past the drowned chariots to