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"The beauty of Israel is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen! 2 Samuel 1:19 NKJV
Hundreds of contemporary English sayings find their origins in English Bibles.
Today people sometimes say, “How the mighty have fallen,” to gloat over the downfall of others socially, politically, or financially. Athletically, it’s often used to emphasize the dramatically negative turn of events for a once-great sports team or player.
Biblically, “How the mighty have fallen” speaks of something far different, of deep sorrow and lament after the death of royalty in battle. In particular, it expresses David’s grief poetically, and runs from top to bottom of his lament in 2 Samuel 1:19-27. The phrase appears in every odd-numbered verse except the lament’s middle stanza—its focal point (verse 23)—where Saul and Jonathan’s names appear for the first time.
A thousand years later, Paul warned, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (1 Corinthians 10:12 NIV).
May “How the mighty have fallen” never be said of you. If it is, may you enjoy rich experiences of God’s marvelous, amazing mercy and grace.
Prayer: Lord, You want me to care less about what others think and most about what You think.
Hundreds of contemporary English sayings find their origins in English Bibles.
Today people sometimes say, “How the mighty have fallen,” to gloat over the downfall of others socially, politically, or financially. Athletically, it’s often used to emphasize the dramatically negative turn of events for a once-great sports team or player.
Biblically, “How the mighty have fallen” speaks of something far different, of deep sorrow and lament after the death of royalty in battle. In particular, it expresses David’s grief poetically, and runs from top to bottom of his lament in 2 Samuel 1:19-27. The phrase appears in every odd-numbered verse except the lament’s middle stanza—its focal point (verse 23)—where Saul and Jonathan’s names appear for the first time.
A thousand years later, Paul warned, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (1 Corinthians 10:12 NIV).
May “How the mighty have fallen” never be said of you. If it is, may you enjoy rich experiences of God’s marvelous, amazing mercy and grace.
Prayer: Lord, You want me to care less about what others think and most about what You think.
