1 Samuel 31
1 Samuel 31 recounts the deaths of King Saul and his three sons, as well as Israel’s defeat. In the battle between the Philistines and Israel, Saul is driven into a corner and his sons die in the battlefield. Saul takes his own life, and his body is mocked publicly by the Philistines. In the end, the men of Jabesh-gilead risk their lives to collect the bodies of Saul and his sons and give them a proper burial.
1verseNow the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain on Mount Gilboa.
2verseThe Philistines overtook Saul and his sons; and the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul.
3verseThe battle went hard against Saul, and the archers overtook him; and he was greatly distressed by reason of the archers.
4verseThen Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through and abuse me!” But his armor bearer would not, for he was terrified. Therefore Saul took his sword and fell on it.
5verseWhen his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell on his sword, and died with him.
6verseSo Saul died with his three sons, his armor bearer, and all his men that same day together.
7verseWhen the men of Israel who were on the other side of the valley, and those who were beyond the Jordan, saw that the men of Israel fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned the cities and fled; and the Philistines came and lived in them.
8verseOn the next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa.
9verseThey cut off his head, stripped off his armor, and sent into the land of the Philistines all around, to carry the news to the house of their idols and to the people.
10verseThey put his armor in the house of the Ashtaroth, and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth Shan.
11verseWhen the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,
12verseall the valiant men arose, 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 burned them there.
13verseThey took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.
The Flow and Structure of the Text
- The beginning of the battle and Israel’s defeat (verses 1–2): The Philistines attack Israel, many soldiers die, and Saul’s sons—Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua—also are killed in battle.
- Saul’s final moments (verses 3–6): Saul is badly wounded, and he asks the man with the weapons to kill him, but he is refused. In the end, Saul falls on his own sword to die. The man with the weapons and his sons die as well.
- Philistine mockery and the desecration of the body (verses 7–10): The Philistine army displays its victory by hanging Saul’s body on the wall of Beth-shan. Saul’s weapons and his head are also placed in the temple of Ashtoreth.
- The courage of the men of Jabesh-gilead (verses 11–13): When they hear this news, the men of Jabesh-gilead hurry there through the night, recover the bodies of Saul and his sons, and bury them. They fast for seven days.
Overall Meaning and Reflection
This chapter contains the tragic final moments of Saul, Israel’s first king. Saul’s death can be seen as the conclusion of the process in which he gradually drifted away from his relationship with the LORD. However, by looking at the example of the men of Jabesh-gilead, who buried the bodies of Saul and his sons with respect, we can also think about human loyalty and courage. It also hints that God’s work of salvation will continue even amid Israel’s failure and wounds.
Points for Reflection
- In the crises of my life, where do I place my hope?
- What can I learn from the contrasting examples of Saul and the men of Jabesh-gilead?
- Do I believe that God’s guidance and love still work, even in moments of failure and despair?
Applying It to Me
As I consider Saul’s life and his final moments, I am led to reflect on what is at the center of my faith. I ask myself whether I trust God in times of crisis and trial, or whether I am trapped in fear and despair. Also, I reflect on how I would act in moments when sincere loyalty and courage toward others are needed, and I resolve to hold on to the hope God gives me today.
This is the last chapter of 1 Samuel.