1 Samuel 31

1 Samuel 31 describes the tragic conclusion of Saul’s reign as the king of Israel. The Philistines, Israel’s enemies, defeat the Israelite army, and Saul’s sons die in battle. Saul, gravely wounded, chooses to end his own life rather than be captured by the Philistines. The chapter marks the end of Israel's first king and sets the stage for David’s rise to power.

1 Samuel 31:1 (NKJV)
1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell slain on Mount Gilboa.

The Israelites were in battle with the Philistines, but they were unable to stand their ground. The scene is one of great defeat as the Israelite army flees, and many soldiers are killed on Mount Gilboa. This sets the tone for the final collapse of Saul’s reign and highlights the Philistines' dominance in this battle.

1 Samuel 31:2 (NKJV)
2 Then the Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons. And the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul’s sons.

The Philistines relentlessly pursue Saul and his sons, killing Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. Jonathan, Saul’s loyal and righteous son, meets his end here. This death, especially Jonathan’s, signifies the loss of Saul’s dynasty and deeply foreshadows David’s impending reign.

1 Samuel 31:3 (NKJV)
3 The battle became fierce against Saul. The archers hit him, and he was severely wounded by the archers.

Saul is not spared in the battle. Severely wounded by Philistine archers, his fate seems sealed. The intense pressure and the mortal wound illustrate the critical point of no return for Saul. He faces the consequences of his disobedience to God throughout his reign.

1 Samuel 31:4-5 (NKJV)
4 Then Saul said to his armorbearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised men come and thrust me through and abuse me.” But his armorbearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword and fell on it.
5 And when his armorbearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword, and died with him.

Facing capture and humiliation by the Philistines, Saul asks his armor-bearer to kill him. When the armor-bearer refuses out of fear, Saul takes his own life to avoid falling into enemy hands. This moment signifies Saul's tragic end—defeated, humiliated, and unable to lead. The armor-bearer’s decision to follow Saul in death reflects the hopelessness of the situation.

1 Samuel 31:6 (NKJV)
6 So Saul, his three sons, his armorbearer, and all his men died together that same day.

The death of Saul, his sons, and his men in a single day brings the reign of Israel's first king to a catastrophic conclusion. The complete defeat highlights how far Saul had fallen, both militarily and spiritually. The house of Saul is effectively wiped out, making way for the next phase in Israel’s history.

1 Samuel 31:7 (NKJV)
7 And when the men of Israel who were on the other side of the valley, and those who were on the other side of the Jordan, saw that the men of Israel had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.

News of Saul’s death and the defeat of Israel spreads quickly. The Israelite inhabitants in nearby areas flee their cities, leaving them abandoned. The Philistines take advantage of this and occupy the cities. The defeat not only ends Saul's rule but leads to territorial losses as well, underscoring Israel's vulnerability.

1 Samuel 31:8 (NKJV)
8 So it happened the next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa.

The Philistines, surveying the battlefield and looting the dead, discover the bodies of Saul and his sons. This moment is symbolic of the final downfall of Saul’s kingship. The fact that their enemies now handle their bodies is a sign of disgrace and defeat.

1 Samuel 31:9-10 (NKJV)
9 And they cut off his head and stripped off his armor, and sent word throughout the land of the Philistines, to proclaim it in the temple of their idols and among the people.
10 Then they put his armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths, and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth Shan.

The Philistines desecrate Saul’s body by decapitating him and stripping his armor, displaying their triumph over Israel’s king. They broadcast their victory throughout their land, even placing Saul’s armor in the temple of their gods as a trophy. The display of Saul’s body on the wall of Beth Shan adds to the humiliation and illustrates the totality of Israel’s defeat.

1 Samuel 31:11-12 (NKJV)
11 Now when the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,
12 all the valiant men arose and traveled all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth Shan; and they came to Jabesh and burned them there.

The men of Jabesh Gilead, remembering Saul’s earlier act of saving their city, show courage and loyalty by retrieving the bodies of Saul and his sons. Despite the risks, they travel all night to recover the bodies and give them a respectful burial. Their actions demonstrate gratitude for Saul’s past leadership and restore some dignity to Saul in death.

1 Samuel 31:13 (NKJV)
13 Then they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.

The bones of Saul and his sons are buried under a tamarisk tree, and the men of Jabesh fast for seven days in mourning. This act of burial and fasting is a final tribute to Saul and his sons. Despite Saul’s tragic end, the people of Jabesh Gilead honor his memory with a dignified funeral, reflecting the complexity of Saul’s legacy as Israel's first king.