Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.
Ye daughters of Israel. The reference is to the bands of young women, belonging to the cities of Israel, who flocked in great numbers to meet the general and his victorious army on their return from a war, and celebrated his gallant deeds in jubilant strains, receiving as their rewards part of the spoil, in the form of festive dresses and various ornaments.
Clothed you in scarlet, with other delights ... The fondness for dress which anciently distinguished Oriental women is their characteristic still. It appears in their love of bright, happy, and different colours, in profuse display of ornaments, and in various other forms. The inmost depths of the poet's feelings are stirred, and his amiable disposition appears in the strong desire to celebrate the good qualities of Saul as well as Jonathan. But the praises of the latter form the burden of the poem, which begins and ends with that excellent prince.