TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen in mount Gilboa.
Complete Jewish Bible
The following day, when the P'lishtim came to strip the dead, they found Sha'ul and his three sons lying dead on Mount Gilboa.
Berean Standard Bible
The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa.
American Standard Version
And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen in mount Gilboa.
World English Bible Messianic
On the next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And on the morowe when the Philistims were come to spoyle them that were slaine, they founde Saul and his three sonnes lying in mount Gilboa,
Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass on the morrow, that the Philistines come to strip the wounded, and they find Saul and his three sons fallen on mount Gilboa,
Study This Verse
Commentary on 1 Samuel 31 verses 8–13
8 ¶ And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen in mount Gilboa.
9 And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the house of their idols, and among the people.
10 And they put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Bethshan.
11 And when the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead heard of that which the Philistines had done to Saul;
12 All the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Bethshan, and came to Jabesh, and burnt them there.
13 And they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.
The scripture makes no mention of the souls of Saul and his sons, what became of them after they were dead (secret things belong not to us), but of their bodies only.
I. How they were basely abused by the Philistines. The day after the battle, when they had recovered their fatigue, they came to strip the slain, and, among the rest, found the bodies of Saul and his three sons, Sa1 31:8. Saul's armour-bearer perhaps intended to honour his master by following the example of his self-murder, and to show thereby how well he loved him; but, if he had consulted his reason more than his passions, he would have spared that foolish compliment, not only in justice to his own life, but in kindness to his master, to whom, by the opportunity of survivorship, he might have done all the service that could be done him by any man after he was dead; for he might, in the night, have conveyed away his body, and those of his sons, and buried them decently. But such false and foolish notions these vain men have (though they would be wise) of giving and receiving honour. Nay, it should seem, Saul might have saved himself the fatal thrust and have made his escape: for the pursuers (in fear of whom he slew himself) came not to the place where he was till the next day. But whom God will destroy he infatuates and utterly consumes with his terrors. See Job 18:5, etc. Finding Saul's body (which now that it lay extended on the bloody turf was distinguishable from the rest by its length, as it was, while erect, by its height, when he proudly overlooked the surrounding crowd), they will, in that, triumph over Israel's crown, and meanly gratify a barbarous and brutish revenge by insulting the deserted corpse, which, when alive, they had stood in awe of. 1. They cut off his head. Had they designed in this to revenge the cutting off of Goliath's head they would rather have cut off the head of David, who did that execution, when he was in their country. They intended it, in general, for a reproach to Israel, who promised themselves that a crowned and an anointed head would save them from the Philistines, and a particular reproach to Saul, who was taller by the head than other men (which perhaps he was wont to boast of), but was now shorter by the head. 2. They stripped him of his armour (Sa1 31:9), and sent that to be set up as a trophy of their victory, in the house of Ashtaroth their goddess (Sa1 31:10); and we are told, Ch1 10:10 (though it is omitted here), that they fastened his head in the temple of Dagon. Thus did they ascribe the honour of their victory, not as they ought to have done to the real justice of the true God, but to the imaginary power of their false gods, and by this respect paid to pretended deities shame those who give not the praise of their achievements to the living God. Ashtaroth, the idol that Israel had many a time gone a whoring after, now triumphs over them. 3. They sent expresses throughout their country, and ordered public notice to be given in the houses of their gods of the victory they had obtained (Sa1 31:9), that public rejoicings might be made and thanks given to their gods. This David regretted sorely, Sa2 1:20. Tell it not in Gath. 4. They fastened his body and the bodies of his sons (as appears, Sa1 31:12) to the wall of Bethshan, a city that lay not far from Gilboa and very near to the river Jordan. Hither the dead bodies were dragged and here hung up in chains, to be devoured by the birds of prey. Saul slew himself to avoid being abused by the Philistines, and never was royal corpse so abused as his was, perhaps the more if they understood that he slew himself for that reason. He that thinks to save his honour by sin will certainly lose it. See to what a height of insolence the Philistines had arrived just before David was raised up, who perfectly subdued them. Now that they had slain Saul and his sons they thought the land of Israel was their own for ever, but they soon found themselves deceived. When God has accomplished his whole work by them he will accomplish it upon them. See Isa 10:6, Isa 10:7.
II. How they were bravely rescued by the men of Jabesh-Gilead. Little more than the river Jordan lay between Beth-shan and Jabesh-Gilead, and Jordan was in that place passable by its fords; a bold adventure was therefore made by the valiant men of that city, who in the night passed the river, took down the dead bodies, and gave them decent burial, Sa1 31:11, Sa1 31:13. This they did, 1. Out of a common concern for the honour of Israel, or the land of Israel, which ought not to be defiled by the exposing of any dead bodies, and especially of the crown of Israel, which was thus profaned by the uncircumcised. 2. Out of a particular sense of gratitude to Saul, for his zeal and forwardness to rescue them from the Ammonites when he first came to the throne, Sa1 11:1-15. It is an evidence of a generous spirit and an encouragement to beneficence when the remembrance of kindnesses is thus retained, and they are thus returned in an extremity. The men of Jabesh-Gilead would have done Saul better service if they had sent their valiant men to him sooner, to strengthen him against the Philistines. But his day had come to fall, and now this is all the service they can do him, in honour to his memory. We find not that any general mourning was made for the death of Saul, as was for the death of Samuel (Sa1 25:1), only those Gileadites of Jabesh did him honour at his death; for, (1.) They made a burning for the bodies, to perfume them. So some understand the burning of them. They burnt spices over them, Sa1 11:12. And that it was usual thus to do honour to their deceased friends, at least their princes, appears by the account of Asa's funeral (Ch2 16:14), that they made a very great burning for him. Or (as some think) they burnt the flesh, because it began to putrefy. (2.) They buried the bodies, when, by burning over them, they had sweetened them (or, if they burnt them, they buried the bones and ashes), under a tree, which served for a grave-stone and monument. And, (3.) They fasted seven days, that is, each day of the seven they fasted till the evening; thus they lamented the death of Saul and the present distracted state of Israel, and perhaps joined prayers with their fasting for the re-establishment of their shattered state. Though, when the wicked perish there is shouting (that is, it is to be hoped a better state of things will ensue, which will be matter of joy), yet humanity obliges us to show a decent respect to dead bodies, especially those of princes.
This book began with the birth of Samuel, but now it ends with the burial of Saul, the comparing of which two together will teach us to prefer the honour that comes from God before any of the honours which this world pretends to have the disposal of.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 8–13. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
1 Samuel 31:8 grimly recounts the devastating aftermath of Israel's defeat on Mount Gilboa, detailing how the Philistines, returning "on the morrow" to plunder the battlefield, made the shocking and definitive discovery of King Saul and his three sons among the slain. This pivotal verse not only confirms the complete triumph of Israel's long-standing adversaries but also marks the tragic and ignominious end of Saul's tumultuous reign, setting the stage for a new chapter in Israel's history under the profound consequences of disobedience and divine judgment.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound significance and emotional weight. Pathos is powerfully evoked in the stark, factual reporting of the discovery of the fallen king and his sons, eliciting a sense of tragedy, pity, and sorrow for the defeated monarch and his family. Irony undergirds the narrative, as Saul, divinely chosen to lead Israel against its enemies, ultimately meets his end at the hands of those very adversaries, a testament to God's withdrawal of favor due to Saul's persistent disobedience. Symbolism is rich, with Mount Gilboa itself becoming a potent symbol of national defeat, divine judgment, and the dire consequences of rebellion against God. The act of "stripping the slain" is also highly symbolic, representing not only the physical plundering but also the utter humiliation, dishonor, and subjugation inflicted upon the defeated king and his nation. Furthermore, the verse functions as a narrative climax for the arc of Saul's reign, representing the ultimate culmination of his downward spiral and the tragic end of his kingship.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The discovery of Saul's body on Mount Gilboa serves as a stark theological commentary on the profound consequences of rebellion against divine authority. Saul's reign, which began with divine anointing and great promise, concludes in ignominy and death precisely because of his persistent disobedience and rejection of God's commands. This tragic end underscores the biblical principle that God's favor and blessing are contingent upon faithfulness, and that even a king, chosen by God, is not exempt from the severe repercussions of sin and spiritual rebellion. While human choices have devastating consequences, the narrative simultaneously affirms God's unwavering sovereignty; Saul's fall, though deeply tragic, ultimately paves the way for the establishment of the Davidic dynasty, through whom God's redemptive purposes for Israel and, ultimately, for all humanity would find their climactic fulfillment.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The grim scene on Mount Gilboa offers profound and enduring lessons for contemporary believers. Saul's tragic end is a potent reminder that positions of power, privilege, or even divine appointment do not exempt one from the severe consequences of disobedience to God. His life serves as a cautionary tale, vividly illustrating how a heart that gradually drifts from faithful obedience and humble reliance on God can lead to personal devastation and, in his case, corporate calamity for the nation. We are called to cultivate a posture of humility, constant vigilance, and unwavering reliance on God's wisdom and commands, recognizing that true strength, lasting success, and genuine peace come from aligning our will completely with His. This passage challenges us to engage in honest self-examination: are there areas in our own lives where we subtly resist God's clear commands, perhaps rationalizing our choices or prioritizing our own desires over His revealed will? The Philistines' temporary triumph highlights the vulnerability of God's people when they are not walking in covenant faithfulness, urging us to prioritize our spiritual walk, remain vigilant against the temptations that lead to spiritual decline, and continually seek the Lord's guidance in every aspect of our lives.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Saul die in this manner, and what does it signify?
Answer: Saul's death on Mount Gilboa, where he was severely wounded by the Philistines and then fell on his own sword, is presented in Scripture as the direct and tragic consequence of his persistent disobedience and unfaithfulness to God. Throughout the book of 1 Samuel, Saul repeatedly disobeys God's commands, most notably in his failure to utterly destroy the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15) and his desperate act of consulting a medium at Endor (1 Samuel 28). 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 explicitly states that Saul died because of his unfaithfulness to the Lord and his failure to keep God's word. His death signifies the ignominious end of a kingship that was not fully submitted to God's authority and serves as a stark warning about the gravity of spiritual rebellion and its ultimate consequences.
What is the significance of the Philistines coming "to strip the slain"?
Answer: The act of "stripping the slain" was a common and deeply significant practice in ancient warfare. It involved plundering the bodies of fallen enemies for their armor, weapons, and other valuables, which were considered spoils of war. Beyond the material gain, this act served as a powerful symbol of total victory and the complete humiliation of the defeated enemy. For the Philistines to find and strip the bodies of King Saul and his sons was the ultimate confirmation of their triumph over Israel's monarchy, a public display of their dominance, and a profound dishonor to the fallen king and his nation. This act was designed to maximize the psychological impact of their victory.
Why is Mount Gilboa important in this narrative?
Answer: Mount Gilboa became indelibly linked with this catastrophic defeat for Israel. It was the geographical stage for the decisive battle that claimed the lives of King Saul and his three sons, effectively bringing an end to the first monarchy of Israel. As such, Mount Gilboa became a powerful symbol of national tragedy, profound sorrow, and divine judgment against Saul's disobedience. David's poignant lament over Saul and Jonathan in 2 Samuel 1:21 specifically curses the mountains of Gilboa, ensuring its lasting association with this moment of national humiliation and immense loss.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic end of King Saul on Mount Gilboa, a direct consequence of his persistent disobedience and a kingship marked by human failing, powerfully foreshadows the profound need for a perfect and eternal King. Saul's failed reign and ignominious death underscore the inherent limitations of human leadership and the dire consequences that arise when even a divinely appointed leader deviates from God's perfect will. This narrative ultimately points forward to Jesus Christ, the true and eternal King, whose reign is characterized not by failure or disobedience, but by perfect and unwavering obedience to the Father (Philippians 2:8). Unlike Saul, whose death was a sign of divine judgment and defeat, Christ's death on the cross, though seemingly a defeat in human eyes, was the ultimate act of obedience and the means by which He triumphed over sin, death, and all the powers and authorities of darkness (Colossians 2:15). Saul's demise, while tragic, providentially paved the way for the establishment of the Davidic dynasty, from which Christ would ultimately come (Luke 1:32-33), demonstrating God's sovereign plan to bring forth a perfect King who would deliver His people not merely from Philistine dominance, but from the far greater enemies of sin and death (Hebrews 2:14-15). In Christ, we find the King who truly takes away the sin of the world, establishing an unshakable kingdom that will never end.