The Bow is the title given to David's poem, and it should rather read "Also he bade them teach the children of Israel the song of the bow." David turned the death of Saul in his song into the means of bringing all the energies, the glowing patriotism, of the land upon national defence. He roused and concentrated the military spirit, and taught them the use, while he taught them the song, of the bow.
Notice:
I. The song of the bow is a song of trial and discipline. He bade them teach, and teach the children, the young. The song of the bow is a song of war. In the old Hebrew fashion this is full of the grief of life. It is possible, not merely to set the sad things of life to music, but the discipline and endeavour of life itself, so that it becomes a grand overcoming,
II. The song of the bow is not only the song of battle, discipline and trial, but a song of victory and triumph. Let us spell over the illustrious story of our Saviour's death, of His glorious resurrection and ascension, and let us take this as our song of the bow.
E. Paxton Hood, Christian World Pulpit,vol. i., p. 365.
Reference: 2 Samuel 1:18-27. A. P. Stanley, Good Words,1863, p. 121.