King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 31:4 Mean?

1 Samuel 31:4 in the King James Version says “Then said Saul unto his armourbearer , Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come an... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

1 Samuel 31:4 · KJV


Context

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

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

5

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

6

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Fear of enemy desecration of bodies was significant in ancient warfare. Captive kings often faced public humiliation and torture. Saul's suicide prevented Philistine mockery of the living king, though they would still abuse his corpse.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the manner of Saul's death reflect the trajectory of his life?
  2. What does the armor-bearer's refusal reveal about the power of conscience even under pressure?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 28

Then said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שָׁאוּל֙2 of 28

Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

נֹשֵׂ֣א3 of 28

me But his armourbearer

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

כֵלָ֜יו4 of 28
H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

שְׁלֹ֥ף5 of 28

Draw

H8025

to pull out, up or off

הַחֶ֔רֶב6 of 28

a sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

וּדְקָרֻ֙נִי֙7 of 28

and thrust me through

H1856

to stab; by analogy, to starve; figuratively, to revile

בָ֗הּ8 of 28
H0
פֶּן9 of 28
H6435

properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest

יָ֠בוֹאוּ10 of 28

come

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

הָֽעֲרֵלִ֨ים11 of 28

therewith lest these uncircumcised

H6189

properly, exposed, i.e., projecting loose (as to the prepuce); used only technically, uncircumcised (i.e., still having the prepuce uncurtailed)

הָאֵ֤לֶּה12 of 28
H428

these or those

וּדְקָרֻ֙נִי֙13 of 28

and thrust me through

H1856

to stab; by analogy, to starve; figuratively, to revile

וְהִתְעַלְּלוּ14 of 28

and abuse

H5953

to effect thoroughly; by implication (in a bad sense) to overdo, i.e., maltreat, be saucy to, pain, impose (also literal)

בִ֔י15 of 28
H0
וְלֹ֤א16 of 28
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אָבָה֙17 of 28

would

H14

to breathe after, i.e., (figuratively) to be acquiescent

נֹשֵׂ֣א18 of 28

me But his armourbearer

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

כֵלָ֔יו19 of 28
H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

כִּ֥י20 of 28
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יָרֵ֖א21 of 28

afraid

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

מְאֹ֑ד22 of 28

not for he was sore

H3966

properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

וַיִּקַּ֤ח23 of 28

took

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

שָׁאוּל֙24 of 28

Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

אֶת25 of 28
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַחֶ֔רֶב26 of 28

a sword

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

וַיִּפֹּ֖ל27 of 28

and fell

H5307

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

עָלֶֽיהָ׃28 of 28
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications


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 31:4 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 31:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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