1 Samuel, 31

Name: 1 Samuel
Author: Author's Name
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Idols Fear Fasting Suffering Death

Saul and Jonathan die in battle against the Philistines. David mourns their loss and sings a lament for them.

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Bible version

Death of Saul and Jonathan

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.

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.

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

Commentary

1 Samuel 31 is a tragic chapter in the Bible that tells the story of the death of King Saul and his sons. It is a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of following God’s commands. The chapter begins with the Philistines attacking the Israelites and defeating them in battle. Saul and his sons are killed in the battle, and the Philistines take the bodies and hang them on the wall of Beth-shan. This is a stark reminder of the consequences of Saul’s disobedience to God. Saul had been warned by the prophet Samuel that if he did not obey God’s commands, he would be defeated by the Philistines. Despite this warning, Saul chose to disobey God and was ultimately defeated. The chapter ends with the men of Jabesh-gilead coming to take the bodies of Saul and his sons and bury them. This act of kindness is a reminder of the importance of honoring the dead and showing respect for those who have gone before us. In conclusion, 1 Samuel 31 is a tragic chapter that serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of honoring the dead. It is a reminder that we should always strive to obey God’s commands and show respect for those who have gone before us.