Turned not back, to wit, without effect: compare Isaiah 45:23, Isaiah 55:2. Their arrows shot from their bows, and their swords, did seldom miss, and commonly pierced fat, and flesh, and blood, and reached even to the heart and bowels. Empty, i.e. not filled and glutted with blood: for the sword is metaphorically said to have a mouth, which we translate an edge; and to devour, 2 Samuel 2:26, 2 Samuel 11:25 Jeremiah 2:30, Jeremiah 46:10. And this their former successfulness is here mentioned as an aggravation of their last infelicity.
Related Commentaries of 2 Samuel 1:22
2 Samuel 1:22
22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.