1 Samuel 31
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
1 Samuel 31
NJB (MT versing) Saul and His Sons Slain The Tragic End of Saul and His Sons The Battle of Gilboa; Death of Saul and his Older Sons The Death of Saul and His Sons Battle of Mount Gilboa and the Death of Saul 31:1-6 31:1-10 31:1-7 31:1-7 31:1-7 31:7 31:8-13 31:8-13 31:8-10 31:8-10 31:11-13 31:11-13 31:11-13 Etc.
1 Samuel 31:1-6
31:1 YHWH's presence was with David but not with Saul. Chapters 28-31 contrast David's blessing with Saul's curse. The "Spirit of the Lord" had left Saul and abided with David. Disobedience has consequences for kings! The events of this chapter are parallel to 1 Chronicles 10. This chapter picks up the story of Saul from 1 Samuel 28. ▣ "on Mount Gilboa" This mountain is southeast of Mt. Carmel and the city of Jezreel. It is south of Endor about 8 miles. Apparently Saul and his men were trying to gain the high ground but the Philistine force was too great. 31:2 Saul's sons are named, all of whom were slain in battle. Jonathan, David's close friend Abinadab Malchi-shua See full note at 1 Chr. 10:2 because it seems Saul had four sons. 31:3 NASB, NKJV, JPSOA "hit him" NRSV, LXX "found him" "he himself was hit" "came upon him" "caught up with him" "overtook him" The MT has the VERB (BDB 592, KB 619, Qal IMPERFECT with waw) "found," In the second part of the verse we are told they "wounded him" (BDB 296, KB 297, Qal IMPERFECT with waw). The NASB seems to combine both VERBS together. The LXX even specifies that Saul was hit by an arrow in his abdomen. Josephus, Antiq. 6.14.7,8 describes Saul's valiant fight to the end. 31:4 "these uncircumcised" This was an expression of contempt (cf. Jdgs. 15:18; 1 Sam. 14:6). Philistines were from the Aegean Islands, which was Greek culture and did not circumcise. ▣ "pierce me and make sport of me" Saul's fear was either public humiliation (v. 9), see following examples Samson's eyes put out (as were Zedekiah's) Samson made to do women's or donkey's work king's thumbs and big toes removed king forced to eat scraps from victor's table public, improper burial (vv. 9-10) See full note at 1 Chronicles 10:4. ▣ "fell on it" There are two suicides here, Saul and his armor-bearer (v. 5). Neither is condemned. SPECIAL TOPIC: SUICIDE
1 Samuel 31:8-13
31:9 "cut off his head" See note at 1 Sam. 17:51. ▣ "his weapons" As David took Goliath's weapons (and head) as a symbol of victory, so too, here the Philistines did to Saul. 31:9-10 "their idols. . .Ashtaroth" The chief deity of the Philistines was "Dagon," which was an ANE fertility god (cf. Jdgs. 16:23; 1 Sam. 5:2-7). Although the Philistines were Greek in culture, when they settled in southern Canaan, they adopted the Canaanite religion of fertility worship. Ashtaroth was the female fertility goddess. SPECIAL TOPIC: FERTILITY WORSHIP OF THE ANE 31:11 Saul had a special relationship with the city of Jabesh-gilead. He had delivered them from an Ammonite raid (cf. 1 Samuel 11). 31:12 "burned them" This chapter gives some biblical information about two modern questions. What does the Bible say about suicide? (vv. 4-5) What does the Bible say about cremation? SPECIAL TOPIC: SUICIDE SPECIAL TOPIC: CREMATION 31:13 "under the tamarish tree" Trees in this part of the world often showed the presence of underground water. They were considered special sacred sites. ▣ "fasted seven days" This was a cultural sign of respect.