1 Chronicles 10:8

¶ And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen in mount Gilboa.

And it came to pass on the morrow {H4283}, when the Philistines {H6430} came {H935} to strip {H6584} the slain {H2491}, that they found {H4672} Saul {H7586} and his sons {H1121} fallen {H5307} in mount {H2022} Gilboa {H1533}.

The following day, when the P'lishtim came to strip the dead, they found Sha'ul and his sons lying dead on Mount Gilboa.

The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa.

And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen in mount Gilboa.

Commentary

1 Chronicles 10:8 describes the grim aftermath of the battle on Mount Gilboa, where King Saul and his sons were defeated by the Philistines. The verse details the enemy's actions the day after the fighting ceased.

Context

This verse follows the account of the disastrous battle where the Israelites were routed and King Saul, along with his sons, was killed (1 Chronicles 10:1-7). The scene is Mount Gilboa, a significant battleground in Israel's history. The Philistines' victory marked a low point for Israel and brought an end to Saul's reign. This event is also recorded in the book of Samuel, providing a parallel account of the tragic end of Saul.

Key Themes

  • Consequences of Disobedience: Saul's defeat and death are presented in Chronicles as the direct result of his unfaithfulness to the Lord (1 Chronicles 10:13-14).
  • Victory of the Enemy: The Philistines' ability to dominate the battlefield and desecrate the bodies of the slain highlights their temporary ascendancy over Israel.
  • The End of an Era: The finding of Saul and his sons dead on Mount Gilboa signifies the definitive end of Saul's kingship and paves the way for the rise of David.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "to strip the slain" indicates the common practice in ancient warfare of plundering the bodies of fallen enemies for armor, weapons, and other valuables. The word "fallen" here is a simple description meaning they were killed in battle.

Reflection and Application

This verse serves as a stark reminder of the finality of earthly power and the tragic consequences that can follow disobedience to God. The scene on Mount Gilboa underscores the vulnerability of even kings when divine favor is removed. For the reader of Chronicles, this dark moment immediately precedes the narrative focusing on David, God's chosen king, highlighting the transition of leadership and the ultimate restoration of God's purposes for Israel through the lineage of David. It teaches us about the importance of faithfulness and the sovereignty of God even in times of national defeat, as He orchestrates events towards His ultimate plan, which includes the establishment of David's kingdom.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 3:23 (2 votes)

    And they said, This [is] blood: the kings are surely slain, and they have smitten one another: now therefore, Moab, to the spoil.

  • 1 Samuel 31:8 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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.

  • 2 Chronicles 20:25 (2 votes)

    And when Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away the spoil of them, they found among them in abundance both riches with the dead bodies, and precious jewels, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away: and they were three days in gathering of the spoil, it was so much.