1 Samuel 31:1

CHAPTER XXXI

A battle in Mount Gilboa between Israel and the Philistines; in

which the former are defeated, and Saul's three sons slain,

1, 2.

Saul, being mortally wounded, and afraid to fall alive into the

hands of the Philistines, desires his armour-bearer to despatch

him; which he refusing, Saul falls on his sword, and his

armour-bearer does the same, 3, 6.

The Israelites on the other side of the valley forsake their

cities, and the Philistines come and dwell in them, 7.

The Philistines, finding Saul and his three sons among the

slain, strip them of their armour, which they put in the house

of Ashtaroth, cut of their heads, send the news to all the

houses of their idols, and fasten the bodies of Saul and his

three sons to the walls of Beth-shan, 8-10.

Valiant men of Jabesh-gilead go by night, and take away the

bodies; burn them at Jabesh; bury their bones under a tree;

and fast seven days, 11-13.

NOTES ON CHAP. XXXI

Verse 1 Samuel 31:1. Now the Philistines fought] This is the continuation of the account given in 1 Samuel 29:1.

The men of Israel fled] It seems as if they were thrown into confusion at the first onset, and turned their backs upon their enemies.