The Death of Saul and His Sons
1 Samuel 31:1-13
1 S.31.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ופלשתים: CONJ+NOUN_PROP,m,pl,abs
- נלחמים: VERB,qal,ptcp,3,m,pl
- בישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וינסו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,pl
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מפני: PREP
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- ויפלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- חללים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בהר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- הגלבע: ART+NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Chron.10:1 (verbal): Nearly identical retelling of the Philistine attack and the death of Saul and his sons on Mount Gilboa (parallel account of the same event).
- 2 Sam.1:6-10 (verbal): The young Amalekite’s report to David recounts Israel’s rout and Saul’s death on Mount Gilboa, repeating key details of the defeat.
- 1 Sam.28:19 (allusion): The necromancer’s/prophet’s declaration that the Lord will give Saul and his sons to the Philistines and that his kingdom will be torn away foreshadows the defeat at Gilboa.
- 2 Sam.1:17-27 (quotation): David’s lament (‘How are the mighty fallen…’) mourns the slain at Gilboa, explicitly linking the deaths there (Saul and Jonathan) to the motif of tragic national loss.
- 1 Sam.31:2 (structural): Immediate continuation of the battle narrative specifying the casualties (Saul’s sons, armor-bearers) and Saul’s mortal wounding—directly expands on v.1.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines, and fell slain on Mount Gilboa.
- And the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines; and there fell slain on Mount Gilboa.
1 S.31.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וידבקו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- את: PRT,acc
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- בניו: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- ויכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- את: PRT,acc
- יהונתן: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- אבינדב: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- מלכי: NOUN,pl,m,cons
- שוע: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 10:2-6 (verbal): A near-verbatim retelling of the Gilboa battle and the deaths of Saul and his sons; repeats key details and phrasing found in 1 Samuel 31:2.
- 2 Samuel 1:6-10 (thematic): The Amalekite's report of the deaths of Saul and Jonathan (an alternative perspective on Saul's death) and the immediate news of the fall at Mount Gilboa.
- 2 Samuel 1:17-27 (thematic): David's lament for Saul and Jonathan (the Song of the Bow) mourns their deaths at Gilboa and celebrates Jonathan's valor, directly responding to the event described in 1 Samuel 31:2.
- 1 Samuel 31:8-10 (structural): The immediate narrative continuation describing the aftermath—Philistines stripping Saul, placing his armor in their temple, and displaying his body on the wall—complements the report of the deaths in v.2.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the Philistines pressed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines struck Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi‑shua, the sons of Saul.
- The Philistines pressed upon Saul and his sons; the Philistines struck Jonathan and Abinadab and Melchi‑shua, Saul’s sons.
1 S.31.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותכבד: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- המלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וימצאהו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- המורים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אנשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בקשת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- ויחל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מאד: ADV
- מהמורים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 10:3 (quotation): The Chronicler gives a near-verbatim retelling: the battle presses hard, the archers strike Saul, and he is sore wounded—direct verbal parallel to 1 Sam 31:3.
- 2 Samuel 1:9-10 (allusion): The Amalekite’s report of Saul’s death recounts that Saul was distressed/wounded in battle and asked to be killed—an alternate account tied to the same event of being struck by enemies (archers).
- 1 Samuel 31:4 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: after the archers find and wound Saul, he takes his own life (armor-bearer account), showing the direct consequence of the archers’ attack described in v.3.
- 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 (thematic): Later summary interpretation linking Saul’s fatal wounding and death in battle (including being struck by the archers) to divine judgment for his disobedience—theological reflection on the same incident.
Alternative generated candidates
- The battle pressed heavily upon Saul, and the archers found him; and he was very distressed by the archers.
- The battle pressed hard against Saul; the archers found him, and he was severely wounded by the archers.
1 S.31.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לנשא: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- כליו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- שלף: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- חרבך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+2ms_suff
- ודקרני: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg+1cs
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- פן: CONJ
- יבואו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- הערלים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- ודקרני: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg+1cs
- והתעללו: VERB,hitpael,wayq,3,m,pl
- בי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- אבה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- נשא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- כליו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- כי: CONJ
- ירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מאד: ADV
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- החרב: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויפל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עליה: PREP,3,f,sg
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 10:4-5 (quotation): Chronicles repeats the Samuel account nearly verbatim: Saul takes his own sword and falls on it after his armor-bearer refuses to kill him.
- Judges 9:54 (thematic): Abimelech asks his armor-bearer to kill him to avoid shame; the attendant complies—parallel motif of a leader requesting death from a servant to avoid humiliation by enemies.
- 2 Samuel 1:6-10 (allusion): The Amalekite later claims to have killed Saul—this account conflicts with 1 Samuel 31:4 (self‑inflicted death) and represents a different tradition about Saul’s end.
- 1 Samuel 31:8-13 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: the Philistines strip, abuse, behead Saul—what Saul feared in 31:4 (being mistreated by the 'uncircumcised') is realized.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Saul said unto his armor‑bearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and mock me.” But his armor‑bearer would not, for he was greatly afraid; therefore Saul took the sword, and fell upon it.
- Then Saul said to his armor‑bearer, “Draw your sword and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through and abuse me.” But his armor‑bearer would not, for he was very afraid; so Saul took his own sword and fell upon it.
1 S.31.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נשא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- כליו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- כי: CONJ
- מת: ADJ,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויפל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- גם: ADV
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- חרבו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m
- וימת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 31:4 (structural): Immediate parallel in the same narrative: Saul is mortally wounded and falls on his own sword after his armour-bearer refuses to kill him — sets up v.5 where the armour-bearer also falls.
- 2 Samuel 1:10-12 (allusion): Alternative account of Saul’s death (an Amalekite claims to have killed Saul); relates directly to the disposition of Saul’s body and the circumstances of his death, offering a contrasting tradition to 1 Sam 31:4-5.
- Judges 9:54-55 (thematic): Abimelech, mortally wounded, calls to his armour-bearer to slay him to avoid disgrace; the armour-bearer executes him — similar motif of a leader asking or expecting an attendant to end his life in battle.
- 1 Kings 16:18 (thematic): Zimri commits suicide by setting the palace on fire to avoid capture when the city falls — parallels the theme of a defeated leader taking his own life to avoid humiliation or capture.
- 2 Samuel 17:23 (thematic): Ahithophel hangs himself after his counsel is rejected and defeat looms — another instance of suicide in the face of political/military disaster, thematically related to Saul’s death.
Alternative generated candidates
- When his armor‑bearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his own sword, and died with him.
- When the armor‑bearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell on his sword and died with him.
1 S.31.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וימת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושלשת: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- בניו: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- ונשא: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- כליו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- גם: ADV
- כל: DET
- אנשיו: NOUN,m,pl,poss:3,m,sg
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- יחדו: ADV
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 10:6-8 (verbal): Direct retelling of Saul’s death and the fate of his sons and soldiers; parallel wording and sequence (Saul and his sons die, bodies treated similarly).
- 2 Samuel 1:10 (quotation): Messenger’s report to David that Saul and Jonathan are dead—explicitly echoes the death of Saul and his sons presented in 1 Sam 31:6.
- 2 Samuel 1:17-27 (thematic): David’s lament over Saul and Jonathan mourns the deaths of Saul and his sons, reflecting the tragic outcome and its significance for Israel’s leadership.
- 1 Samuel 31:4-5 (structural): Immediate narrative context describing how Saul fell on his sword, his armour-bearer also died, and many Israelites were struck down—provides the events that culminate in verse 6’s summary of deaths.
Alternative generated candidates
- Thus Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor‑bearer, and all his men that same day together.
- Thus Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor‑bearer, and all his men that day together.
1 S.31.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויראו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בעבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העמק: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואשר: CONJ+PRON,rel
- בעבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הירדן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- נסו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכי: CONJ
- מתו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובניו: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויעזבו: VERB,qal,wayq,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הערים: NOUN,f,pl,def
- וינסו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,pl
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בהן: PREP+PRON,3,f,pl
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 10:7-8 (verbal): Parallel retelling of Saul’s death and its immediate consequence: the people fled and the Philistines occupied the towns (Chronicles repeats the account with close verbal/structural similarity).
- 2 Samuel 1:6-10 (thematic): Amalekite’s report of Saul’s and his sons’ deaths—another treatment of the news of Saul’s fall and its consequences for Israel’s morale and leadership.
- 1 Samuel 28:19 (allusion): The medium’s prophecy that Saul and his sons will die 'tomorrow' foreshadows and is fulfilled by the report here of their deaths and the ensuing rout.
- 1 Samuel 11:1-11 (thematic): Earlier rescue of Jabesh‑gilead by Saul explains the later loyalty shown in 1 Sam 31:11–13 when those men recover Saul’s body; connects the fate of Saul with Jabesh‑gilead’s role.
- Judges 1:27-28 (thematic): Similar motif of populations remaining (or being driven out) and foreign enemies settling in Israelite towns—illustrates the recurring theme of towns falling under enemy control when Israel is weakened.
Alternative generated candidates
- And when the men of Israel who were beyond the valley and those who were beyond the Jordan saw that the men of Israel had fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.
- When the inhabitants of Israel who were on the other side of the valley and on the other side of the Jordan saw that the men of Israel had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned the towns and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.
1 S.31.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ממחרת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- לפשט: VERB,qal,infc
- את: PRT,acc
- החללים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- וימצאו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- שלשת: NUM,m,pl,abs
- בניו: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- נפלים: VERB,qal,ptc,0,m,pl
- בהר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- הגלבע: NOUN,f,sg,prop
Parallels
- 1 Chron.10:8-10 (verbal): Chronicles retells the end of Saul with wording close to Samuel: Philistines strip the slain and the finding of Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa.
- 2 Sam.1:6-10 (thematic): The Amalekite's report to David describes finding Saul and his sons dead on Mount Gilboa, paralleling the discovery of the bodies though it adds the claim that the Amalekite killed Saul.
- 1 Sam.28:19 (allusion): The prophecy spoken at Endor foretells that Saul and his sons will die on Mount Gilboa, anticipating the event described in 1 Samuel 31:8.
- 1 Sam.31:11-13 (structural): Immediate literary continuation: the Philistines strip and display the bodies and later the men of Jabesh-gilead recover and bury Saul and his sons — completes the episode begun in v.8.
Alternative generated candidates
- 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 on Mount Gilboa.
- On the next day the Philistines came to strip the slain; they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa.
1 S.31.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויכרתו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- ראשו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויפשיטו: VERB,piel,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- כליו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- וישלחו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- סביב: ADV
- לבשר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עצביהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3mp
- ואת: CONJ
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 10:8-10 (quotation): Parallel retelling of Saul's death: the Philistines cut off his head, stripped his armor, and displayed the spoils in the house of their gods (Dagon). Chronicles echoes and summarizes 1 Sam 31 verbatim.
- 1 Samuel 17:54 (thematic): David's taking of Goliath's head as a war-trophy echoes the motif of decapitation used to demonstrate victory over enemies and to publicize defeat.
- 1 Samuel 5:2-5 (allusion): The Philistines’ practice of placing captured items in the temple of their god (Dagon) parallels the sending of Saul’s head/armor to the house of their idols as a cultic/public display of triumph.
- 2 Samuel 4:8-12 (thematic): The presentation of a defeated leader’s head to a rival (Ish-bosheth’s head brought to David) reflects the same political/propaganda function of severed heads as proof of death and conquest.
Alternative generated candidates
- They cut off his head, stripped off his armor, and sent word throughout the land of the Philistines to the temple of their gods and to the people.
- They cut off his head and stripped off his armor, and sent messengers through the land of the Philistines to proclaim it in the house of their idols and to the people.
1 S.31.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישמו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- כליו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עשתרות: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- גויתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- תקעו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בחומת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שן: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 10:10 (verbal): Near-verbatim retelling of Saul’s armor being placed in the house of Ashtoreth/temple of a Philistine god and his body/head fastened at Beth-shan (chronicle parallel to Samuel).
- 2 Samuel 21:12-14 (structural): Narrative follow-up: the men of Jabesh-gilead recover the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth-shan and bury them—directly related to the Philistine treatment described in 1 Samuel 31:10.
- 1 Samuel 17:54 (verbal): Uses similar language about taking an enemy’s head and storing armor (David’s handling of Goliath’s head and armor), offering a verbal and thematic contrast to the Philistines’ treatment of Saul.
- 1 Samuel 5:1-5 (allusion): Background on Philistine cult places (the house of Dagon/Ashteroth): describes Philistines’ treatment of sacred images and the ark in Dagon’s temple, providing cultic context for placing trophies in a deity’s house as in 1 Samuel 31:10.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they put his armor in the house of Ashtaroth, and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth‑shan.
- They put his armor in the house of Ashtoreth, and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth‑shan.
1 S.31.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישמעו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ישבי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- יביש: NOUN,prop,sg,abs
- גלעד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- פלשתים: NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- לשאול: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 31:12-13 (structural): Direct continuation: the men of Jabesh‑Gilead recover the bodies of Saul and his sons, burn them, and bury their bones — the immediate response to hearing what the Philistines had done.
- 1 Samuel 11:1-11 (thematic): Earlier episode in which Saul rescues the inhabitants of Jabesh‑Gilead from Ammonite oppression; this prior relationship explains their loyalty in 31:11–13.
- 2 Samuel 1:6-10 (allusion): An alternative report of Saul’s death told by an Amalekite to David; parallels the account of Saul’s fall and the aftermath recorded in 1 Samuel 31.
- 1 Chronicles 10:11-14 (verbal): Parallel summary of Saul’s death and its causes (Philistine victory and Saul’s suicide/defeat), providing a chronicler’s retelling of the same events described in 1 Samuel 31.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the inhabitants of Jabesh‑Gilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul,
- When the men of Jabesh‑Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,
1 S.31.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקומו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חיל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וילכו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- הלילה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויקחו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- גוית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- גוית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בניו: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- מחומת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שן: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- יבשה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- וישרפו: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,pl
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- שם: ADV
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 10:12-13 (verbal): Parallel retelling of Saul’s death and the note that men of Jabesh took and burned the bodies — a close verbal/narrative parallel to 1 Sam 31:12.
- 2 Samuel 21:12-14 (thematic): Later account that the men of Jabesh fetched the bones of Saul and Jonathan and buried them in Zelah; continues and completes the aftermath of the bodies’ treatment.
- 1 Samuel 11:1-11 (thematic): Earlier episode in which Saul rescues Jabesh‑Gilead; provides the motive for the men of Jabesh risking retrieval of Saul’s body in gratitude.
- 2 Samuel 21:10-11 (thematic): Rizpah’s vigil over exposed corpses of Saul’s kin — thematically related concern for the proper treatment and protection of the dead that leads to later retrieval and burial actions.
Alternative generated candidates
- all the valiant men arose and went all night and took the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth‑shan, and came to Jabesh, and burned them there.
- all the valiant men arose and went all night, and took the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth‑shan; and they came to Jabesh and burned them there.
1 S.31.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקחו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- עצמתיהם: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3mp
- ויקברו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- תחת: PREP
- האשל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ביבשה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויצמו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- שבעת: NUM,card,construct
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 10:12 (quotation): Direct retelling of 1 Sam 31:13 — the bodies/bones are buried under the tamarisk at Jabesh and the people fast seven days.
- 2 Samuel 21:12-14 (verbal): Later narrative describing the taking and burial of Saul's and Jonathan's bones by the men of Jabesh and a seven‑day period of mourning; repeats the retrieval/burial motif.
- 2 Samuel 21:10-11 (thematic): Rizpah's vigil over the exposed corpses of Saul's sons highlights concerns for proper burial and mourning practices, providing a contrasting episode related to the fate of Saul's family.
- 2 Samuel 1:12 (thematic): Communal mourning for Saul and Jonathan — the people 'mourned, wept, and fasted' — parallels the fasting and public lamentation recorded at Jabesh in 1 Sam 31:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk at Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.
- They took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk at Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.
The Philistines fought against Israel; the men of Israel fled before the Philistines, and fell slain on Mount Gilboa.
The Philistines pressed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; the Philistines struck Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul.
The battle pressed heavily upon Saul, and the archers found him; and he was very wounded by the archers.
Saul said to his armor-bearer, "Draw your sword and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me." But the armor-bearer would not, for he was very afraid; so Saul took his own sword and fell upon it.
When the armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his sword and died with him.
Saul and his three sons died; the armor-bearer and all his men likewise died together that day.
The men of Israel who were beyond the valley and beyond the Jordan saw that the men of Israel had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead; they abandoned the towns and fled, and the Philistines came and occupied them.
On the next day the Philistines came to strip the slain and found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa.
They cut off his head and stripped off his armor, and sent messengers through the land of the Philistines to carry the news to the house of their idols and among the people.
They put his armor in the temple of Ashtoreth, and fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan.
When the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,
all the valiant men arose and went all night; they took the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth-shan and brought them to Jabesh and burned them there.
They took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk at Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.