1 Chronicles 10:2

And the Philistines followed hard after Saul, and after his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul.

And the Philistines {H6430} followed hard {H1692} after {H310} Saul {H7586}, and after {H310} his sons {H1121}; and the Philistines {H6430} slew {H5221} Jonathan {H3129}, and Abinadab {H41}, and Malchishua {H4444}, the sons {H1121} of Saul {H7586}.

The P'lishtim pursued Sha'ul; overtook him and his sons; and the P'lishtim killed Y'honatan, Avinadav and Malkishua, the sons of Sha'ul.

The Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons, and they killed Saulโ€™s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua.

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

Commentary

1 Chronicles 10:2 records a pivotal and tragic moment in Israel's history: the death of King Saul's sons during a fierce battle with the Philistines. This verse highlights the intensity of the conflict and the devastating blow dealt to the royal family, setting the stage for a significant transition in Israel's leadership.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse describes the climactic events of the Battle of Mount Gilboa, where the Philistines engaged the Israelite army. The book of 1 Chronicles, often viewed as a theological history, retells narratives found in the books of Samuel and Kings but with a particular focus on the Davidic line, the kingdom of Judah, and the temple. This account of Saul's downfall serves as a necessary transition, clearing the way for the establishment of King David's reign. The Philistines were a formidable and persistent enemy of Israel throughout this period, constantly challenging Israel's control over its own land and sovereignty.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The End of an Era: The death of Saul's sons, including the beloved Jonathan, signifies the definitive end of Saul's kingship and his dynasty. This tragic event paves the way for a new chapter in Israel's history.
  • Divine Sovereignty: While human actions and military defeat are evident, the broader biblical narrative (especially in Samuel) portrays this outcome as part of God's sovereign plan to remove Saul from the throne due to his disobedience and establish David as king.
  • Tragedy and Loss: The verse is stark in its portrayal of loss, particularly the death of Jonathan, who was David's loyal friend and covenant partner. His death is a significant personal tragedy for David and for the nation.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "followed hard after" (or "pressed hard upon" in some translations) emphasizes the relentless and aggressive pursuit by the Philistines, indicating their determination to decisively defeat the Israelite forces. The Hebrew word for "slew" (ื ึธื›ึธื”, nakah) is a common verb meaning "to strike, smite, kill," conveying the brutal and fatal nature of the conflict. The directness of the language conveys the stark reality of the battle and its immediate, devastating outcome.

Related Scriptures

The primary parallel account of these events is found in the book of 1 Samuel 31:2. Comparing the two accounts shows the Chronicler's emphasis on the Philistines killing Saul's sons, setting the stage for the narrative of David's rise. The subsequent verses in 1 Chronicles 10 detail Saul's own death, leading directly into the anointing of David as king over all Israel in 1 Chronicles 11:1, fulfilling God's earlier promises.

Practical Application

While a historical account, this verse reminds us of several timeless truths:

  • The Reality of Consequences: Saul's reign, marked by disobedience to God, ends in tragedy for him and his family. This serves as a sober reminder that choices have consequences, both personal and for those connected to us.
  • God's Overarching Plan: Even amidst human tragedy and military defeat, God's ultimate purposes are at work. The removal of Saul's house, though painful, was part of God's plan to establish a king after His own heart. This highlights God's sovereignty over human affairs and His ability to bring about His will.
  • The Impact of Leadership: The fate of a nation can be deeply tied to the character and obedience of its leaders. The transition from Saul to David underscores the importance of righteous leadership in God's eyes.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 20:5

    Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me;

  • 1 Chronicles 8:33

    ยถ And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.

  • 1 Samuel 14:49

    Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchishua: and the names of his two daughters [were these]; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal:

  • 1 Chronicles 9:39

    And Ner begat Kish; and Kish begat Saul; and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.

  • 2 Kings 23:29

    In his days Pharaohnechoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates: and king Josiah went against him; and he slew him at Megiddo, when he had seen him.

  • Isaiah 57:1

    ยถ The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth [it] to heart: and merciful men [are] taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil [to come].

  • Isaiah 57:2

    He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, [each one] walking [in] his uprightness.
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