1 Samuel 31:6

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

So Saul {H7586} died {H4191}, and his three {H7969} sons {H1121}, and his armourbearer {H5375}{H3627}, and all his men {H582}, that same day {H3117} together {H3162}.

Thus Sha'ul, his three sons, his armor-bearer and all his men died that same day together.

So Saul, his three sons, his armor-bearer, and all his men died together that same day.

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

Commentary

1 Samuel 31:6 succinctly records the devastating conclusion of King Saul's life and reign: "So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together." This verse marks a pivotal moment in Israelite history, signifying the end of its first monarchy and paving the way for the rise of David.

Context

This verse concludes the narrative of the Battle of Mount Gilboa, a decisive conflict between the Israelites and the Philistines. Facing overwhelming defeat and fearing capture and torture, King Saul, already wounded, took his own life (or requested his armourbearer to do so, which he refused, leading Saul to fall on his own sword, as described in 1 Samuel 31:4-5). The tragic deaths of his three sons, including the noble Jonathan, alongside him, underscore the complete rout of the Israelite forces and the catastrophic failure of Saul's leadership. This defeat was a direct consequence of Saul's repeated disobedience to God, as recounted throughout the book of 1 Samuel.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The End of an Era: This verse marks the dramatic and tragic end of King Saul's reign, the first king of Israel. His death, alongside his sons, signifies the collapse of his dynasty.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: Saul's life was characterized by a gradual departure from God's commands. His violent end and the defeat of his army serve as a stark reminder of the serious consequences of spiritual rebellion and disobedience.
  • Complete Devastation: The phrase "all his men, that same day together" emphasizes the totality of the defeat. It was not merely a loss of the king, but a comprehensive military and dynastic catastrophe for Israel.
  • Divine Sovereignty: Even in this moment of human failure and despair, God's sovereign plan was unfolding. Saul's demise cleared the way for the anointing and reign of David, God's chosen king, who would establish a lasting dynasty.

Linguistic Insights

The term "armourbearer" (Hebrew: nose' kelayv, ื ึนืฉึตื‚ื ื›ึตืœึธื™ื•) refers to a trusted attendant who carried the king's or warrior's weapons and often stood by him in battle. This role was one of great loyalty and intimacy, highlighting the personal tragedy for Saul that even this close aide ultimately refused his final command, though he later took his own life in solidarity. The phrase "that same day together" (Hebrew: bayyom hahu yachdav, ื‘ึผึทื™ึผื•ึนื ื”ึทื”ื•ึผื ื™ึทื—ึฐื“ึผึธื•) powerfully conveys the immediate and simultaneous nature of these deaths, emphasizing the sudden and complete collapse of Saul's camp.

Practical Application

1 Samuel 31:6 offers several enduring lessons:

  • The Importance of Obedience: Saul's story is a powerful cautionary tale about the necessity of humble and consistent obedience to God's will. Disobedience, even from a position of power, can lead to personal and collective ruin.
  • Leadership and Legacy: A leader's choices have profound consequences not only for themselves but for those they lead and for future generations. Saul's legacy is marked by his tragic end, a stark contrast to the legacy of faith and obedience exemplified by David.
  • God's Unfolding Plan: Even amid tragedy and human failure, God's purposes prevail. The death of Saul, though devastating, was part of the divine narrative to bring about the kingdom under David, leading ultimately to the eternal kingdom of Christ. This reminds believers that God is always at work, even in difficult circumstances, guiding history towards His ultimate goals, as seen in Romans 8:28.
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

  • 1 Samuel 12:25

    But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.

  • 1 Chronicles 10:6

    So Saul died, and his three sons, and all his house died together.

  • 1 Samuel 12:17

    [Is it] not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness [is] great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king.

  • 1 Samuel 28:19

    Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow [shalt] thou and thy sons [be] with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.

  • 1 Samuel 11:15

    And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.

  • 1 Samuel 4:10

    ยถ And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen.

  • 1 Samuel 4:11

    And the ark of God was taken; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were slain.
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