1 Chronicles 10:4

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Then said {H559} Saul {H7586} to his armourbearer {H5375}{H3627}, Draw {H8025} thy sword {H2719}, and thrust {H1856} me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised {H6189} come {H935} and abuse {H5953} me. But his armourbearer {H5375}{H3627} would {H14} not; for he was sore {H3966} afraid {H3372}. So Saul {H7586} took {H3947} a sword {H2719}, and fell {H5307} upon it.

Complete Jewish Bible

Sha'ul said to his armor-bearer, "Draw your sword and run me through with it. Otherwise, these uncircumcised men will come and make sport of me." But his armor-bearer refused; he was too frightened. So Sha'ul took his sword and fell on it.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run it through me, or these uncircumcised men will come and torture me!” But his armor-bearer was terrified and refused to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 10:4 records the tragic and desperate final moments of King Saul, Israel's first monarch. Severely wounded in the decisive Battle of Mount Gilboa against the Philistines, Saul, consumed by fear of capture and profound humiliation at the hands of his "uncircumcised" enemies, pleads with his armourbearer to kill him. When the armourbearer refuses out of fear, Saul takes his own sword and falls upon it, choosing a self-inflicted death over the anticipated torture and mockery, thus marking the abrupt and ignominious end of his reign.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within 1 Chronicles 10, a chapter that serves as a concise and pivotal summary of King Saul's demise and the death of his three sons at the Battle of Mount Gilboa. The Chronicler's account, while paralleling the narrative found in [1 Samuel 31](/1_samuel/31 "1 Samuel 31 - The Death of Saul"), is notably more succinct and immediately frames Saul's death as a direct consequence of his unfaithfulness to God. This swift transition from Saul's reign to his end is crucial for the Chronicler's purpose: to set the stage for the rise of King David and the establishment of his divinely ordained kingdom, which becomes the primary focus of the remainder of the book of Chronicles. The chapter acts as a necessary bridge, closing the chapter on a failed monarchy to open the way for a new, more faithful era.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Battle of Mount Gilboa was a critical confrontation between the Israelites and the Philistines, a technologically and militarily superior force that posed a significant threat to Israel's nascent kingdom. The Philistines, known for their iron weaponry and organized military, often subjected their defeated enemies to public humiliation, mutilation, and desecration of their bodies (as seen in [1 Samuel 31:9-10](/1_samuel/31-9 "1 Samuel 31:9-10 - Philistine Mutilation of Saul"), where Saul's body is later dismembered and displayed). Saul's desperate plea to avoid being "abused" by the "uncircumcised" reflects a deep-seated fear of this specific cultural practice of torture and public disgrace, which would have been considered the ultimate indignity for a king. Suicide, while generally viewed negatively in Israelite culture, was in this extreme context a desperate act to preserve some semblance of honor and avoid a fate deemed far worse than death.
* **Key Themes:** The narrative of Saul's death in 1 Chronicles 10 contributes to several major theological and narrative themes. Foremost among these is the **Consequences of Disobedience**, explicitly stated by the Chronicler in [1 Chronicles 10:13-14](/1_chronicles/10-13 "1 Chronicles 10:13-14 - Saul's Disobedience and Death"), which attributes Saul's downfall to his unfaithfulness to the Lord and his failure to keep God's commands. This serves as a powerful reminder that even divinely appointed leaders are accountable to God. Another key theme is **Divine Sovereignty and the Transition of Power**, as God orchestrates the end of Saul's flawed reign to make way for David, the "man after God's own heart" ([1 Samuel 13:14](/1_samuel/13-14 "1 Samuel 13:14 - David, a Man After God's Own Heart")), establishing a new dynasty. Finally, the verse highlights the contrast between **Fear and Faith**, as Saul's overwhelming fear of human humiliation ultimately dictates his final actions, rather than a reliance on God's protection or mercy.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Armourbearer (Hebrew, _nose' keli_):** This term refers to a personal attendant, often a young and trusted servant, who carried the king's weapons and was usually close to his person in battle. The armourbearer's refusal to obey Saul's command highlights the gravity of the request and his profound fear, either of committing regicide or of the Philistines himself.
* **Uncircumcised (Hebrew, _‘arelim'_):** This term was a derogatory epithet used by Israelites for Gentiles, particularly the Philistines, emphasizing their perceived impurity and their lack of covenant relationship with God. Saul's use of this term underscores the deep cultural, religious, and military contempt between the two peoples, and his dread of being captured by those outside God's covenant.
* **Abuse (Hebrew, _‘alal'_):** More than simple physical harm, this word suggests a more profound and humiliating mistreatment, encompassing torture, mockery, public disgrace, and the desecration of the body. It captures the depth of Saul's dread and his desire to avoid such a fate at all costs.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith":** Exhausted and gravely wounded, Saul, facing imminent capture, commands his closest attendant to kill him. This desperate plea reveals his profound fear of what the Philistines would do to him if he were taken alive. He prefers a swift death by an Israelite hand to the prolonged suffering and indignity he anticipates from his enemies.
* **"lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me":** This clause explicitly states Saul's motivation. His fear is not merely of death, but of the specific, humiliating "abuse" that the pagan Philistines would inflict upon him, which would include torture, public mockery, and the desecration of his royal body. This highlights his concern for his reputation and dignity even in his final moments.
* **"But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid":** The armourbearer's refusal underscores his deep reverence for the anointed king, his fear of committing regicide, or perhaps his own terror in the face of the overwhelming Philistine victory. His fear is so great that he disobeys a direct command from his king, leaving Saul to his own devices.
* **"So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it":** With no other recourse and unwilling to face the Philistines, Saul commits suicide. This act marks the tragic, self-inflicted end of Israel's first king, a desperate attempt to maintain some control over his final moments and avoid the ultimate humiliation.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of Saul's death employs several powerful literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as Saul, chosen by God to deliver Israel from its enemies, ultimately dies by his own hand to escape those very enemies, highlighting the tragic failure of his reign. The scene is imbued with **Pathos**, evoking pity for the king's desperate and lonely end, a stark contrast to his initial anointing and early victories. There is also a strong element of **Contrast** between Saul's desperate fear and the armourbearer's own fear, as well as the stark cultural and religious divide represented by "the uncircumcised" Philistines versus the covenant people of Israel. The entire chapter functions as a form of **Foreshadowing**, as Saul's ignominious end sets the stage for the rise of David, the king who would embody a different, more faithful relationship with God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The death of King Saul, as depicted in 1 Chronicles 10:4, serves as a profound theological statement on the consequences of disobedience and the sovereignty of God in the transfer of power. Saul's desperate act, driven by fear of man and a desire to preserve his own dignity, stands in stark contrast to the humility and trust in God that should characterize a leader of His people. The Chronicler's immediate follow-up in verses 13-14 explicitly links Saul's demise to his unfaithfulness, demonstrating that even a divinely appointed king is not immune to divine judgment when he turns from the Lord. This tragic end paves the way for David, highlighting God's faithfulness to His covenant promises and His ability to raise up a new leader who would better reflect His heart, despite his own human failings.

* [1 Samuel 31:4](/1_samuel/31-4 "1 Samuel 31:4 - Parallel Account of Saul's Death")
* [1 Chronicles 10:13-14](/1_chronicles/10-13 "1 Chronicles 10:13-14 - The Reason for Saul's Death")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before a Fall")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Saul's death is a solemn and enduring warning against the dangers of pride, disobedience, and prioritizing human reputation or fear over faithful reliance on God. Saul's profound fear of the "uncircumcised" and his desperate act to avoid humiliation reveal a heart that ultimately trusted in self and human opinion more than in divine protection. His tragic end underscores that true security and lasting success are found not in human strength, reputation, or desperate self-preservation, but in a humble and obedient walk with God. Even in moments of extreme despair and perceived hopelessness, the narrative implicitly calls us to turn to God for deliverance and guidance, rather than succumbing to fear or self-destructive measures. Saul's story challenges us to examine where our ultimate trust lies and whether we allow the fear of man or the pursuit of our own dignity to overshadow our commitment to God's will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does Saul's intense fear of the "uncircumcised" reveal about his spiritual state and his understanding of God's covenant?**
* **How does Saul's self-inflicted death serve as a powerful warning about the ultimate consequences of disobedience and a lack of trust in God?**
* **In what ways might we, like Saul, be tempted to prioritize human opinion or avoid perceived humiliation over faithful obedience and reliance on God?**

### FAQ
**Why did Saul's armourbearer refuse to kill him?**

Answer: The text states that the armourbearer "would not; for he was sore afraid." This fear likely stemmed from a combination of factors: deep reverence for the anointed king (making regicide an unthinkable act), personal terror in the face of the overwhelming Philistine victory, or fear of the divine and human consequences of striking down the Lord's anointed. His fear was so profound that it overrode a direct command from his king.

**Is Saul's death considered suicide in the Bible?**

Answer: Yes, according to the accounts in both [1 Samuel 31:4](/1_samuel/31-4 "1 Samuel 31:4 - Parallel Account of Saul's Death") and 1 Chronicles 10:4, Saul's death is explicitly described as self-inflicted ("fell upon it"). While a later account by an Amalekite in [2 Samuel 1:6-10](/2_samuel/1-6 "2 Samuel 1:6-10 - The Amalekite's Account") claims he killed Saul at Saul's request, this is generally understood as a fabrication by the Amalekite to gain favor with David. The consistent biblical narrative from the historical books portrays Saul's death as a desperate act of suicide to avoid capture and torture by the Philistines.

**What does "uncircumcised" mean in this context?**

Answer: In this context, "uncircumcised" is a highly derogatory term used by Israelites for Gentiles, specifically the Philistines. It emphasizes their lack of the covenant sign of circumcision, which marked Israel as God's chosen people. Thus, it highlights not only a cultural and ethnic distinction but, more importantly, a profound religious divide, portraying the Philistines as impure, pagan, and outside the covenant relationship with Yahweh. Saul's fear of them was amplified by this perception of their godlessness and barbarity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Saul's tragic end, marked by fear, disobedience, and self-destruction, stands in stark contrast to the perfect life and sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. Saul, the first king of Israel, failed to trust God fully and sought to preserve his own dignity through a desperate act of suicide, ultimately falling due to his unfaithfulness ([1 Chronicles 10:13-14](/1_chronicles/10-13 "1 Chronicles 10:13-14 - Saul's Disobedience and Death")). Jesus, the true and eternal King, perfectly obeyed His Father's will, even to the point of embracing the ultimate humiliation and suffering on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). While Saul feared the "uncircumcised" and sought to avoid their abuse, Jesus willingly bore the abuse of both Jew and Gentile, dying for the sins of the entire world and breaking down the dividing wall between them, making peace through His blood ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Breaks Down the Wall")). Saul's reign ended in despair; Christ's reign is eternal, bringing hope and salvation to all who believe, demonstrating that true kingship is found not in self-preservation, but in selfless love and perfect obedience ([Hebrews 1:8](/hebrews/1-8 "Hebrews 1:8 - Christ's Eternal Kingship")).

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.