1 Samuel 31:8

¶ 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.

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 three {H7969} 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 three sons lying dead on Mount Gilboa.

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

Commentary

1 Samuel 31:8 describes the grim aftermath of the devastating battle on Mount Gilboa, where Israel suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Philistines. This verse marks a pivotal moment in Israelite history, signifying the end of King Saul’s reign and the transition to a new era.

Context of 1 Samuel 31:8

This verse immediately follows the account of King Saul and his three sons dying in battle (1 Samuel 31:4). The Philistines, having secured their victory, return to the battlefield "on the morrow" – the day after the fighting – to collect the spoils of war. The practice of "stripping the slain" was common in ancient warfare, involving the looting of armor, weapons, and valuables from fallen warriors. Finding the bodies of Saul and his sons among the dead was a significant discovery, confirming their complete triumph over Israel's first king and his royal line. The location, Mount Gilboa, became synonymous with this tragic defeat.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The End of an Era: This verse powerfully symbolizes the tragic conclusion of King Saul's reign. His kingship, which began with promise, ended in national humiliation and personal despair, largely due to his persistent disobedience to God (see 1 Samuel 15:23).
  • Consequences of Disobedience: Saul's ultimate defeat and death are presented throughout 1 Samuel as the direct result of his spiritual rebellion and failure to fully follow God's commands. His unfaithfulness is explicitly noted as the reason for his demise in 1 Chronicles 10:13-14.
  • Philistine Dominance: The Philistines' ability to freely strip the slain highlights their overwhelming victory and temporary dominance over Israel, underscoring Israel's vulnerability when estranged from divine favor.
  • Dishonor in Death: The discovery of Saul's body by the enemy, followed by its desecration (described in subsequent verses), represents the ultimate dishonor for a king and nation in that cultural context.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV translation of 1 Samuel 31:8 is quite direct and captures the essence of the Hebrew text without significant hidden nuances for a general audience. The phrase "strip the slain" accurately conveys the ancient practice of plundering the bodies of fallen enemies for their armor and possessions, an act that also served as a display of victory.

Practical Application and Reflection

The account of Saul's fall serves as a sobering reminder of several timeless truths:

  • The Gravity of Disobedience: Even for those in positions of power, straying from God's path has severe consequences. Saul's life demonstrates that what one sows, one will reap.
  • God's Sovereignty: While human choices have consequences, God remains sovereign over history. The tragic end of Saul's reign paved the way for the establishment of the Davidic dynasty, a lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come.
  • Humility and Repentance: Saul's story is a stark contrast to the life of David, who, despite his own failures, consistently returned to God in humility and repentance. This highlights the importance of a contrite heart before the Lord.

The discovery of Saul and his sons on Mount Gilboa marked the close of a tumultuous chapter for Israel, setting the stage for the rise of King David and a new era for the nation.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Chronicles 10:8 (2 votes)

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