1 Samuel 31
Overview
1 Samuel Chapter 31 recounts the tragic and fateful demise of King Saul and his sons on the battlefield of Mount Gilboa. As the Philistines press the attack against Israel, Saul's forces fall in disarray, leading to the deaths of his sons, Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. Overwhelmed by the enemy and wounded by archers, Saul chooses to take his own life rather than be captured. After his death, the Philistines disgrace Saul’s legacy by displaying his armor in the temple of Ashtaroth and fastening his body to the wall of Bethshan. The chapter concludes with the valiant men of Jabesh-gilead retrieving the bodies of Saul and his sons, burning them, and burying their bones under a tree, marking an end to the reign of Israel's first king and setting the stage for David's ascension. This historical account underscores the divine judgment upon Saul for his disobedience and the transition of leadership ordained by God.
1 Samuel 31
1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.
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.
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.
🏆↑ The Winner's Circle: Overcoming the Canaanites
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.
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.
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.
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.
10 And they put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Bethshan.
11 And when the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead heard of that which the Philistines had done to Saul;
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.
🔑↑ See & Share Jesus
13 And they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.
End of 1 Samuel 31
1 Year Plan: May 6 - 1 Sa 31; 2 Sa 1, Acts 1
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.
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.
🏆↑ The Winner's Circle: Overcoming the Canaanites
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.
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.
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.
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.
10 And they put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Bethshan.
11 And when the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead heard of that which the Philistines had done to Saul;
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.
🔑↑ See & Share Jesus
13 And they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.
End of 1 Samuel 31
1 Year Plan: May 6 - 1 Sa 31; 2 Sa 1, Acts 1
Got a Question or Comment?