1 Chronicles 10:3

KJV

And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him, and he was wounded of the archers.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the battle {H4421} went sore {H3513} against Saul {H7586}, and the archers {H3384}{H7198} hit {H4672} him, and he was wounded {H2342} of the archers {H3384}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The fighting went hard against Sha'ul; then the archers overtook and wounded him, so that he was in agony.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 10:3 vividly portrays the tragic climax of King Saul's reign, depicting the overwhelming intensity of the battle against the Philistines on Mount Gilboa. This verse highlights Saul's personal vulnerability as he is directly struck and severely wounded by enemy archers, marking the decisive turning point in the conflict that ultimately leads to his death and the end of his kingship, setting the stage for the transition of power to David.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the very beginning of 1 Chronicles 10, which recounts the death of King Saul and his sons. The Chronicler's account of Saul's demise is notably concise, serving primarily as a theological bridge from the pre-Davidic era to the establishment of the Davidic dynasty. While paralleling the more detailed narrative in [1 Samuel 31](/1_samuel/31 "1 Samuel 31 - The Death of Saul"), the Chronicler's focus is less on the historical minutiae of the battle and more on the theological reasons for Saul's fall, emphasizing his disobedience as the ultimate cause (as seen in [1 Chronicles 10:13-14](/1_chronicles/10-13 "1 Chronicles 10:13-14 - Saul's Disobedience and Death")). This immediate context underscores the finality of God's judgment on Saul's kingship and the divine orchestration of David's rise.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The battle described in 1 Chronicles 10 took place on Mount Gilboa, a strategic location in the Jezreel Valley, a frequent battleground due to its geographical importance. The Philistines, a powerful and technologically superior people (possessing iron weaponry, unlike the Israelites, as noted in [1 Samuel 13:19-22](/1_samuel/13-19 "1 Samuel 13:19-22 - Philistine Control of Iron")), were Israel's perennial enemies during this period. Archers were a significant component of ancient warfare, capable of inflicting damage from a distance, often targeting commanders or breaking enemy formations. For a king to be personally wounded by archers indicated the severity of the rout and the direct engagement of the highest leadership in the thick of the fighting, a testament to the desperate situation of the Israelite army.

* **Key Themes:** 1 Chronicles 10:3 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book. Firstly, it highlights the **consequences of disobedience**, a theme explicitly stated later in the chapter as the reason for Saul's death ([1 Chronicles 10:13-14](/1_chronicles/10-13 "1 Chronicles 10:13-14 - Saul's Disobedience and Death")). Saul's defeat is not merely a military loss but a divine judgment. Secondly, it underscores the **sovereignty of God** in controlling the destinies of kings and nations; even in apparent chaos, God's plan for the Davidic covenant is unfolding. Thirdly, the verse marks the **end of an era**—the transitional period of Israel's first king—and foreshadows the **establishment of the legitimate Davidic kingship**, which is the primary focus of the Chronicler's work. The vulnerability of King Saul in battle also emphasizes the **frailty of human power** when it operates outside of divine favor.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sore (Hebrew, _chazaq_):** The KJV translates "went sore against Saul" from the Hebrew verb חָזַק (*chazaq*), which literally means "to be strong, firm, hard." In this context, it conveys the overwhelming strength and intensity of the Philistine assault against Saul and the Israelite forces. It implies a battle that was not merely difficult but decisively and powerfully against them, indicating a complete rout where the Philistines held the dominant advantage.
* **Hit (Hebrew, _matsa_):** The Hebrew verb מָצָא (*matsa*) means "to find, attain, meet." Here, it is used idiomatically to describe the arrows "finding their mark" or "reaching" Saul. This simple verb powerfully conveys the direct and unavoidable impact of the archers' projectiles, emphasizing that Saul was not merely in the vicinity of the battle but was specifically targeted and struck.
* **Wounded (Hebrew, _chalal_):** The Hebrew verb חָלַל (*chalal*) means "to pierce, wound, slay." It often carries the connotation of being fatally wounded or even profaned, especially in a military context. The repetition of this word, following "hit," underscores the severity and potentially mortal nature of Saul's injuries. It signifies a deep, penetrating wound, indicating that Saul's physical condition was critical and his demise imminent.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the battle went sore against Saul":** This opening clause immediately establishes the dire circumstances of the Israelite army and their king. The phrase "went sore against" (from *chazaq*) signifies that the Philistine forces were overwhelmingly strong and dominant, pushing the battle decisively in their favor. It paints a picture of a losing fight, a rout where Saul's army was being crushed.
* **"and the archers hit him":** This clause narrows the focus from the general battle to Saul's personal predicament. The mention of "archers" highlights a specific and effective component of the Philistine military. The verb "hit" (from *matsa*) indicates that the arrows found their intended target, directly striking the king, which was a significant blow to the morale and leadership of the Israelite forces.
* **"and he was wounded of the archers":** This final clause reiterates and emphasizes the consequence of being hit. The repetition of "archers" reinforces the source of the injury, while "wounded" (from *chalal*) confirms the severity of the impact. This clause underscores Saul's vulnerability and the critical nature of his injuries, setting the stage for his ultimate demise in the subsequent verses.

#### Literary Devices
1 Chronicles 10:3 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Repetition**, specifically the repeated mention of "the archers hit him, and he was wounded of the archers." This repetition serves to emphasize the direct and fatal nature of Saul's injuries, highlighting the specific means of his downfall and underscoring the relentless assault he faced. It creates a sense of inevitability and finality. There is also an element of **Foreshadowing** present; the severity of the wounds described here clearly points to Saul's impending death, which occurs just a few verses later. The verse also contains a subtle **Irony**: Saul, the first king of Israel, chosen by God to lead His people, is brought down not by a mighty warrior in single combat, but by anonymous archers from a distance, reflecting the ignominious end of a reign that had lost divine favor. This ignoble end contrasts sharply with the glorious beginnings of his kingship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 10:3, while narrating a military defeat, carries profound theological weight. It serves as a stark reminder that human power, even that of a divinely appointed king, is ultimately subject to God's sovereign will and judgment. Saul's severe wounding is presented not as a random misfortune of war but as the culmination of a reign marked by disobedience and a failure to fully trust and obey the Lord. The Chronicler explicitly states this theological rationale for Saul's death in [1 Chronicles 10:13-14](/1_chronicles/10-13 "1 Chronicles 10:13-14 - Saul's Disobedience and Death"), framing the battle as the instrument of divine consequence. This event underscores the biblical principle that faithfulness to God is paramount for leadership and that departure from His commands inevitably leads to tragic outcomes, paving the way for God's chosen successor, David.

* [1 Samuel 15:23](/1_samuel/15-23 "1 Samuel 15:23 - The Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin is Death")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Saul's final moments on the battlefield, as depicted in 1 Chronicles 10:3, offers timeless lessons for believers. It reminds us that even those in positions of great authority and strength are vulnerable to the consequences of their choices and the realities of human frailty. Saul's persistent disobedience to God led to a tragic end, illustrating that straying from divine commands can have devastating personal and public repercussions. This verse challenges us to examine our own lives: are we living in humble submission to God's will, or are we pursuing our own agendas, risking spiritual and practical defeat? Furthermore, it highlights the transient nature of earthly power and success. Saul's downfall, despite his initial anointing, underscores that true security and lasting influence come not from human might or position, but from steadfast faithfulness to the Lord. It calls us to cultivate a life of obedience, humility, and unwavering dependence on God, recognizing that He alone is sovereign over all circumstances, even in the midst of life's fiercest battles.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be operating in disobedience or self-reliance, similar to Saul?**
* **How does Saul's vulnerability in battle remind me of the limits of human strength and the importance of divine dependence?**
* **What "battles" am I facing today, and how can I ensure I am seeking God's will and wisdom rather than relying solely on my own abilities?**
* **How does the swift and tragic end of Saul's reign prompt me to consider the eternal consequences of my choices and the ultimate sovereignty of God?**

### FAQ
**Why does 1 Chronicles focus so little on Saul's life and so much on his death?**

Answer: The Chronicler's primary purpose in writing 1 Chronicles was not to provide a comprehensive biography of Israel's kings, but to legitimize and glorify the Davidic dynasty and the temple worship in Jerusalem. Saul's reign is presented concisely, primarily as a necessary prelude to David's kingship. His death, particularly its theological explanation in [1 Chronicles 10:13-14](/1_chronicles/10-13 "1 Chronicles 10:13-14 - The Reason for Saul's Death"), serves to underscore that Saul's failure was due to his disobedience to God, thereby validating the divine choice of David as his successor and the establishment of a new, God-ordained era of leadership. The focus on his death, rather than his life, efficiently transitions the narrative to David, who is the true hero and progenitor of the Chronicler's theological agenda.

**What is the significance of archers wounding Saul, as opposed to a sword or spear?**

Answer: While the exact weapon may seem incidental, the mention of archers highlights the nature of the battle as a rout rather than a close, personal combat. Archers typically attacked from a distance, indicating that Saul was caught in a general barrage, perhaps while attempting to flee or rally his broken forces. Being wounded by archers suggests a less heroic or direct confrontation, perhaps even a more ignominious end for a king than falling in hand-to-hand combat. It emphasizes the overwhelming nature of the Philistine attack and Saul's helplessness in the face of it, further underscoring the divine judgment at play. The parallel account in [1 Samuel 31:3](/1_samuel/31-3 "1 Samuel 31:3 - Saul's Wounding by Archers") also mentions archers, confirming this detail across both narratives.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic end of King Saul, as depicted in 1 Chronicles 10:3, serves as a stark contrast and a profound foreshadowing of the perfect kingship of Jesus Christ. Saul, chosen by God but ultimately failing due to disobedience and pride, represents the limitations and failures of human leadership, even divinely appointed. His severe wounding and subsequent death on the battlefield highlight the vulnerability of earthly kings and the futility of human strength apart from God's favor. This sets the stage for the rise of David, a king after God's own heart, through whom the promise of an eternal kingdom would ultimately be fulfilled in Christ. Unlike Saul, who succumbed to his wounds and the enemy, Jesus, the true King of Israel, willingly entered the ultimate battle against sin and death. He was not merely wounded by archers, but pierced for our transgressions ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - The Suffering Servant")), enduring the full wrath of God on the cross, a suffering far greater than any physical wound. Yet, through His death, He achieved a decisive victory, triumphing over all principalities and powers ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). Saul's reign ended in defeat and death, but Christ's kingship is eternal, founded on perfect obedience and an indestructible life ([Hebrews 7:16](/hebrews/7-16 "Hebrews 7:16 - Christ's Indestructible Life")). He is the King who, though wounded for us, now reigns victorious, offering eternal life and true deliverance to all who trust in Him, establishing a kingdom that will never end ([Daniel 7:14](/daniel/7-14 "Daniel 7:14 - The Everlasting Dominion of the Son of Man")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Amos 2:14

Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself:

1 Samuel 31:3

And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers.

1 Samuel 31:6

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

2 Samuel 1:4

And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.

2 Samuel 1:10

So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that [was] upon his head, and the bracelet that [was] on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.

Genesis 49:23

The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot [at him], and hated him:

Genesis 49:24

But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty [God] of Jacob; (from thence [is] the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)