Log inSign up

2 Samuel 1 · a question people ask

What is the book of Jashar?

In the text

The Bible names it twice. After the sun stood still, Joshua 10 asks, "Isn’t this written in the book of Jashar?" (Joshua 10:13), and 2 Samuel says of David's lament, "behold, it is written in the book of Jashar" (1:18). That is all the Bible says about it. It isn't one of the books of the Bible, and the text doesn't say who wrote it or what else was in it. In Hebrew Jashar is the word yashar, "straight, right" (Brown-Driver-Briggs) (tap Jashar).

The verses

“The sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the nation had avenged themselves of their enemies. Isn’t this written in the book of Jashar? The sun stayed in the middle of the sky, and didn’t hurry to go down about a whole day.”
Joshua 10:13 · World English Bible
“David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son (and he commanded them to teach the children of Judah the song of the bow; behold, it is written in the book of Jashar):”
2 Samuel 1:17-18 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of 2 Samuel 1

2 Samuel 1: How the mighty have fallen

David's question, "Why were you not afraid to stretch out your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?" (1:14), uses the words he had spoken over the sleeping Saul: "Don’t destroy him, for who can stretch out his hand against the LORD’s anointed" (1 Samuel 26:9). And the lament's refrain, "How the mighty have fallen!" (1:19), comes three times in a chapter that, in Hebrew, says fall seven times.

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free week2 Samuel 1 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about 2 Samuel 1

All questions about 2 Samuel →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions