1 Samuel 31:2

And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul's sons.

And the Philistines {H6430} followed hard {H1692} upon Saul {H7586} and upon his sons {H1121}; and the Philistines {H6430} slew {H5221} Jonathan {H3083}, and Abinadab {H41}, and Malchishua {H4444}, Saul's {H7586} sons {H1121}.

The P'lishtim pursued and overtook Sha'ul 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 Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua.

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

Commentary

1 Samuel 31:2 details the tragic climax of King Saul's reign, describing how the Philistines relentlessly pursued him and his sons during the fierce Battle of Mount Gilboa. The verse explicitly states that the Philistines succeeded in slaying three of Saul's sons: Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. This devastating event marked a critical turning point for Israel, leading directly to Saul's own death and setting the stage for David's lament and eventual kingship.

Context

This verse is situated at the very end of the book of 1 Samuel, bringing to a somber close the narrative of Israel's first king. The long-standing conflict between Israel and the Philistines, a dominant theme throughout Saul's kingship, reaches its painful culmination here. Saul's own demise, detailed in the subsequent verses (1 Samuel 31:3-6), is directly precipitated by this battle and the death of his sons. The spiritual context is equally vital: Saul had repeatedly disobeyed God's commands, leading to the withdrawal of divine favor and Samuel's prophetic declaration that his kingdom would be taken from him (1 Samuel 15:23). His desperate consultation with the medium of Endor just prior to this battle underscored his spiritual desperation and ultimate rejection by God.

Key Themes

  • Tragedy and Loss: The verse vividly portrays the immense loss suffered by Israel and Saul personally. The death of Jonathan is particularly poignant, given his deep loyalty to David and his own noble character (1 Samuel 18:1-4). His death, alongside his brothers Abinadab and Malchishua, signifies the end of a kingly line and a tragic culmination for a king who began with great promise.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: While not directly stated in this verse, the entire narrative arc of Saul's life, culminating in this defeat, serves as a powerful testament to the severe consequences of persistent disobedience to God's will. The fall of Saul's house is a direct result of his spiritual failures.
  • The End of an Era: This battle marks the definitive end of Saul's kingship and the transition period before David fully ascends to the throne. It is a necessary, albeit painful, step in God's sovereign plan to establish the Davidic dynasty.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "followed hard upon" (KJV) conveys the relentless and determined pursuit by the Philistines, indicating their overwhelming force and Israel's desperate situation. It emphasizes the intensity of the battle and the lack of escape for Saul and his sons.

Practical Application

The events of 1 Samuel 31:2 serve as a sober reminder of the reality of consequences, both in warfare and in life. While it highlights the tragic end of a disobedient king, it also underscores God's ultimate sovereignty in guiding history towards His purposes. Even in moments of profound loss and human failure, God's plan for His people continues to unfold, leading eventually to the establishment of the kingdom under David, a man after God's own heart. This passage encourages us to consider the importance of obedience and faithfulness in our own lives, understanding that our choices have significant ramifications.

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

Cross-References

  • 1 Chronicles 8:33 (4 votes)

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

  • 1 Samuel 14:49 (3 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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

  • 1 Samuel 23:17 (2 votes)

    And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.

  • 1 Samuel 13:2 (2 votes)

    Saul chose him three thousand [men] of Israel; [whereof] two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.

  • Exodus 20:5 (2 votes)

    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;

  • 2 Samuel 1:6 (2 votes)

    And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.