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1 Samuel 31

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1Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.

2And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul.

3And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers overtook him; and he was greatly distressed by reason of the archers.

4Then said Saul to his armorbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armorbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took his sword, and fell upon it.

5And when his armorbearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell upon his sword, and died with him.

6So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armorbearer, and all his men, that same day together.

7And when the men of Israel that were on the other side of the valley, and they that were beyond the 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.

8And 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.

9And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armor, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to carry the tidings unto the house of their idols, and to the people.

10And they put his armor in the house of the Ashtaroth; and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan.

11And when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard concerning him that which the Philistines had done to Saul,

12all the valiant men arose, and went 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 burnt them there.

13And they took their bones, and buried them under the tamarisk-tree in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.

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Matthew Henry Concise Commentary

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1 Samuel 31:1-7 Verses 1-7

We cannot judge of the spiritual or eternal state of any by the manner of their death; for in that, there is one event to the righteous and to the wicked. Saul, when sorely wounded, and unable to resist or to flee, expressed no concern about his never-dying soul; but only desired that the Philistines might not insult over him, or put him to pain, and he became his own murderer. As it is the grand deceit of the devil, to persuade sinners, under great difficulties, to fly to this last act of desperation, it is well to fortify the mind against it, by a serious consideration of its sinfulness before God, and its miserable consequences in society. But our security is not in ourselves. Let us seek protection from Him who keepeth Israel. Let us watch and pray; and take unto us the whole armour of God, that we may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

1 Samuel 31:8-13 Verses 8-13

The Scripture makes no mention what became of the souls of Saul and his sons, after they were dead; but of their bodies only: secret things belong not to us. It is of little consequence by what means we die, or what is done with our dead bodies. If our souls are saved, our bodies will be raised incorruptible and glorious; but not to fear His wrath, who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell, is the extreme of folly and wickedness. How useless is the respect of fellow-creatures to those who are suffering the wrath of God! While pompous funerals, grand monuments, and he praises of men, honour the memory of the deceased, the soul may be suffering in the regions of darkness and despair! Let us seek that honour which cometh from God only.

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Archery in War 1 Samuel 31:3

When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him critically.

Archery: Practiced by the Philistines 1 Samuel 31:1–3

Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them, and many fell slain on Mount Gilboa. / The Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons, and they killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. / When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him critically.

Armies: March in Ranks: Soldiers Destroy Each Other to Escape Captivity 1 Samuel 31:4–6

Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run it through me, or these uncircumcised men will come and run me through and torture me!” But his armor-bearer was terrified and refused to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. / When his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his own sword and died with him. / So Saul, his three sons, his armor-bearer, and all his men died together that same day.

Armor-Bearer: Saul 1 Samuel 31:6

So Saul, his three sons, his armor-bearer, and all his men died together that same day.

Arrow used in War 1 Samuel 31:3

When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him critically.

Ashtoreth: Temple of 1 Samuel 31:10

They put his armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths and hung his body on the wall of Beth-shan.

Beth-Shean: Bodies of Saul and his Sons Exposed In 1 Samuel 31:10, 12

They put his armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths and hung his body on the wall of Beth-shan. / all their men of valor set out, journeyed all night, and retrieved the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth-shan. When they arrived at Jabesh, they burned the bodies there.

Beth-Shean: Called Beth-Shaw 1 Samuel 31:10, 12

They put his armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths and hung his body on the wall of Beth-shan. / all their men of valor set out, journeyed all night, and retrieved the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth-shan. When they arrived at Jabesh, they burned the bodies there.

Burial: The Body Was: Sometimes Burned Before 1 Samuel 31:12

all their men of valor set out, journeyed all night, and retrieved the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth-shan. When they arrived at Jabesh, they burned the bodies there.

Cities: Often Deserted on the Approach of an Enemy 1 Samuel 31:7

When the Israelites along the valley and those on the other side of the Jordan saw that the army of Israel had fled and that Saul and his sons had died, they abandoned their cities and ran away. So the Philistines came and occupied their cities.

Cremation: General Scriptures Concerning 1 Samuel 31:12

all their men of valor set out, journeyed all night, and retrieved the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth-shan. When they arrived at Jabesh, they burned the bodies there.

Gilboa: A Hill South of Jezreel, where Saul Was Defeated by the Philistines, and Died 1 Samuel 31:1–8

Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them, and many fell slain on Mount Gilboa. / The Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons, and they killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. / When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him critically.

Head of Enemies Slain in War, often Cut off 1 Samuel 31:9

They cut off Saul’s head, stripped off his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim the news in the temples of their idols and among their people.

Jabesh-Gilead: Saul and his Sons Buried At 1 Samuel 31:11–13

When the people of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, / all their men of valor set out, journeyed all night, and retrieved the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth-shan. When they arrived at Jabesh, they burned the bodies there. / Then they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.

Jezreel: A Valley: Place of the Defeat of the Israelites Under Saul and Jonathan 1 Samuel 31:1–6

Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them, and many fell slain on Mount Gilboa. / The Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons, and they killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. / When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him critically.

Jonathan: Son of Saul: Buried by Inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead 1 Samuel 31:11–13

When the people of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, / all their men of valor set out, journeyed all night, and retrieved the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth-shan. When they arrived at Jabesh, they burned the bodies there. / Then they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.

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