King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 31:1 Mean?

1 Samuel 31:1 in the King James Version says “Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain i...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

1 Samuel 31:1 · KJV

Context

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

2

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

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

Read 1 Samuel 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Battle of Gilboa (approximately 1010 BCE) marked the end of the first Israelite monarchy and Philistine domination of significant territory. The defeat's magnitude reshaped the political landscape of Canaan.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do simultaneous events sometimes serve connected divine purposes?
  2. What does the timing of David's victory and Saul's defeat reveal about God's orchestration?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים1 of 12

“Now the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

נִלְחָמִ֣ים2 of 12

“fought”

H3898

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙3 of 12

“against Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וַיָּנֻ֜סוּ4 of 12

“fled”

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

אַנְשֵׁ֤י5 of 12
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙6 of 12

“against Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

מִפְּנֵ֣י7 of 12

“from before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים8 of 12

“Now the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

וַיִּפְּל֥וּ9 of 12

“and fell down”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

חֲלָלִ֖ים10 of 12

“slain”

H2491

pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted

בְּהַ֥ר11 of 12

“in mount”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

הַגִּלְבֹּֽעַ׃12 of 12

“Gilboa”

H1533

gilboa, a mountain of palestine

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 31:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 31:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Chronicles 10:1-121 Samuel 28:42 Samuel 1:211 Samuel 28:151 Samuel 29:11 Samuel 12:25

Places in This Verse

Mount GilboaMountain · Modern: Mount Gilboa · 32.43°N, 35.41°E8 verses across 3 books
View all places in 1 Samuel 31 →

Test Your Knowledge

1 Samuel 31 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

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