About 1 Samuel

1 Samuel records the transition from judges to monarchy, including Samuel's ministry, Saul's rise and fall, and David's anointing.

Author: Samuel, Nathan, GadWritten: c. 1050-900 BCReading time: ~2 minVerses: 13
TransitionKingshipObedienceRejectionGod's SovereigntyHeart

Places in This Chapter

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Beth-shan(Settlement)Jabesh-gilead(Settlement)Jordan(River)Mount Gilboa(Mountain)Philistia(Region)Valley of Jezreel(Valley)

King James Version

1 Samuel 31

13 verses with commentary

Saul's Death

1

Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. slain: or, wounded

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The final chapter of 1 Samuel brings the interwoven narratives to their tragic conclusion. While David recovered his families and distributed spoil, the battle at Gilboa decided Israel's immediate future. The Hebrew 'wayyanusu' (fled) and 'wayyippelu chalalim' (fell slain) describe military disaster. The contrast between David's victory and Israel's defeat could not be sharper. As David rises, Saul falls. God's sovereign ordering of events removes the barrier to David's succession while fulfilling Samuel's prophecy.
2

And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul's sons.

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The Philistines' pursuit specifically targets Saul's sons, eliminating the succession. Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchi-shua fall together. The Hebrew 'wayyabhiqqu' (followed hard, stuck close to) indicates determined pursuit, not random battlefield death. Jonathan's death creates particular pathos: David's closest friend and covenant partner dies fighting against the Philistines David was supposed to have joined. The prince who loved David dies while David is providentially absent.
3

And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers . and the archers: Heb. and the shooters, men with bows hit: Heb. found him

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The narrative focuses on Saul's personal fate: 'the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him.' The Hebrew 'hammorim anashim baqqasheth' (men who shoot with the bow) identifies the weapon causing Saul's mortal wounds. The description 'wayyachel me'od' (was greatly wounded, in anguish) indicates he was incapacitated but not immediately killed. His suffering precedes his final decision. The archer who once threw javelins at David now falls to arrows.
4

Then said Saul unto his armourbearer , Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. abuse: or, mock me

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Saul's request that his armor-bearer kill him and the servant's refusal create his final crisis. His fear of being 'abused' (Hebrew: 'hith'allelu-vi') by the uncircumcised Philistines reveals concern for dignity in death. The armor-bearer's terror at killing the king echoes David's own refusal throughout the narrative. Saul's final act, 'he fell upon it' (his own sword), ends his life by his own hand. The king who lived by the sword dies by one, though not in battle.
5

And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him.

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The armor-bearer's suicide following Saul's death reveals the depth of loyalty Saul commanded from his immediate attendant. The Hebrew 'wayyamot immo' (died with him) emphasizes their shared fate. This servant's faithfulness unto death contrasts with those who fled and survived. His act, while not endorsed, demonstrates that Saul retained the devotion of those nearest him. Even failed leaders may inspire profound loyalty.
6

So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer , and all his men, that same day together.

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The summary statement 'So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together' emphasizes completeness of destruction. The phrase 'all his men' may refer to his immediate retinue rather than the entire army. The Hebrew 'yacdaw' (together) stresses their common fate. One day ends the house of Saul as a ruling force, though one son survives to briefly contest David's succession.
7

And when the men of Israel that were on the other side of the valley, and they that were on the other side Jordan, saw that the men of Israel fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.

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The aftermath extends beyond the battle as Israelites in surrounding territories flee, abandoning their cities to Philistine occupation. The Hebrew 'wayyya'azvu' (forsook) and 'wayyanusu' (fled) describe panic abandonment. The Philistines 'came and dwelt in them,' establishing long-term occupation. The battle's impact spreads far beyond Gilboa, affecting civilians who had not fought. Leadership failure produces consequences reaching those who simply lived under that leadership.
8

And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen in mount Gilboa.

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The Philistine discovery of the royal corpses the day after the battle enables their desecration. The Hebrew 'lepashet' (to strip) indicates removal of valuable armor and weapons. Finding Saul and his sons 'fallen in mount Gilboa' completes the geographic note: they died where the battle raged, not fleeing. The exposure of their bodies to enemy discovery sets the stage for the humiliations to follow.
9

And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the house of their idols, and among the people.

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The Philistines' treatment of Saul's body serves both religious and propagandistic purposes. Cutting off his head mirrors David's treatment of Goliath, creating ironic reversal. The armor sent to 'the house of their idols' (Hebrew: 'bet 'atsabbehem') dedicates spoils to Philistine gods. Publishing news 'among the people' proclaims victory throughout Philistia. What began with Goliath's head in David's hand ends with Saul's head in Philistine hands.
10

And they put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth : and they fastened his body to the wall of Bethshan.

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The placement of Saul's armor 'in the house of Ashtaroth' specifically honors the Philistine goddess, while fastening his body to Beth-shan's wall publicly displays the corpse. Ashtaroth (Astarte) was the fertility and war goddess of Canaanite religion, making this dedication a theological statement. The public display at Beth-shan, a strategic city in the Jezreel Valley, ensured maximum humiliation. The king of Israel becomes trophy and propaganda for pagan religion.
11

And when the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead heard of that which the Philistines had done to Saul; of that: or, concerning him that

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The transition to Jabesh-gilead's inhabitants hearing the news recalls Saul's first act as king: rescuing them from Nahash the Ammonite (chapter 11). Their response to Saul's dishonor repays his earlier deliverance with later loyalty. The Hebrew 'wayyishme'u' (they heard) indicates news traveled across the Jordan. Gratitude remembered across decades motivates their risky intervention. Their courage contrasts with others who fled.
12

All the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Bethshan, and came to Jabesh, and burnt them there.

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The all-night march by Jabesh-gilead's valiant men demonstrates courage and loyalty that honors Saul in death as he honored them in life. Their retrieval of the bodies from Beth-shan's wall, burning them at Jabesh, and proper burial represents significant risk. The burning (unusual for Israelite practice) may have been necessary due to decomposition or to prevent further desecration. Their courage restores some dignity to the fallen king.
13

And they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.

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The final verse provides dignified conclusion: proper burial 'under a tree at Jabesh' and seven-day fast. The Hebrew 'eshel' (tamarisk tree) marked the grave site, creating a memorial. The week of fasting demonstrates genuine mourning, not merely formal observance. Despite Saul's failures, these men honored his memory. First Samuel ends not with David's triumph but with honorable men mourning Israel's fallen king. Grace extends even to those who failed.

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