1 Chronicles 10:9

And when they had stripped him, they took his head, and his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to carry tidings unto their idols, and to the people.

And when they had stripped {H6584} him, they took {H5375} his head {H7218}, and his armour {H3627}, and sent {H7971} into the land {H776} of the Philistines {H6430} round about {H5439}, to carry tidings {H1319} unto their idols {H6091}, and to the people {H5971}.

They stripped him, then took his head and his armor and sent them all over the territory of the P'lishtim to carry the news to their idols and to the people.

They stripped Saul, cut off his head, took his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim the news in the temple of their idols and among their people.

And they stripped him, and took his head, and his armor, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to carry the tidings unto their idols, and to the people.

Commentary

1 Chronicles 10:9 describes the gruesome aftermath of King Saul's defeat and death at the hands of the Philistines on Mount Gilboa. This verse highlights the enemy's triumph and their pagan practices, marking a dark close to Saul's reign and setting the stage for a new era in Israel's history.

Context

Following a decisive battle on Mount Gilboa, where King Saul and his sons were slain, the Philistines discovered Saul's body. The preceding verses (1 Chronicles 10:1-8) detail the battle and Saul's tragic end. Verse 9 then vividly portrays the Philistine's actions, which were customary for ancient victors: desecrating the bodies of fallen enemies and publicly displaying their victory. This account parallels that found in 1 Samuel 31:9, emphasizing the historical significance of this event.

Key Themes

  • The Humiliation of Saul: The stripping of his body, the decapitation, and the seizure of his armor were extreme acts of dishonor, signifying the complete and utter defeat of Israel's first king. This public display was intended to demoralize Israel and glorify the Philistine gods.
  • Philistine Idolatry: The Philistines sent tidings "unto their idols, and to the people." This act underscores their deep-seated paganism, as they attributed their victory not to military prowess alone, but to the perceived power of their false gods, such as Dagon or Ashtoreth. This stands in stark contrast to the worship of the one true God of Israel.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the entire narrative of Saul's downfall, culminating in this humiliating death, is presented in Chronicles as a direct consequence of his unfaithfulness and disobedience to the Lord (1 Chronicles 10:13-14).

Significance and Application

This verse serves as a stark reminder of the ultimate consequences of turning away from God. Saul's tragic end is a powerful illustration of how disobedience can lead to ruin, even for those once chosen by God. The Philistine's actions, though brutal, highlight the spiritual warfare at play: the false gods of the nations seemingly triumphing over Israel's king, but in reality, it was God's judgment upon Saul that allowed this to happen. For the people of Israel, this event marked the end of an era and paved the way for the reign of King David, whose story begins immediately after this account (1 Chronicles 11:1).

For believers today, 1 Chronicles 10:9 underscores the importance of faithfulness and humility before God. It also reminds us that even in moments of apparent triumph by those who oppose God, His sovereign plan is always at work, bringing about His ultimate purposes.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 1:20 (2 votes)

    Tell [it] not in Gath, publish [it] not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

  • Judges 16:23 (2 votes)

    Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand.

  • Judges 16:24 (2 votes)

    And when the people saw him, they praised their god: for they said, Our god hath delivered into our hands our enemy, and the destroyer of our country, which slew many of us.

  • 1 Samuel 31:9 (2 votes)

    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.

  • 1 Samuel 31:10 (2 votes)

    And they put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Bethshan.

  • 1 Chronicles 10:4 (2 votes)

    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.

  • Matthew 14:11 (2 votes)

    And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought [it] to her mother.