1 Samuel 31

1 Ora, os filisteus pelejaram contra Israel; e os homens de Israel fugiram de diante dos filisteus, e caíram mortos no monte Gilboa.

2 E os filisteus apertaram com Saul e seus filhos, e mataram a Jônatas, a Abinadabe e e a Malquisua, filhos de Saul.

3 A peleja se agravou contra Saul, e os flecheiros o alcançaram, e o feriram gravemente.

4 Pelo que disse Saul ae seu escudeiro: Arranca a tua espada, e atravessa-me com ela, para que porventura não venham esses incircuncisos, e me atravessem e escarneçam de mim. Mas o seu escudeiro não quis, porque temia muito. Então Saul tomou a espada, e se lançou sobre ela.

5 Vendo, pois, e seu escudeiro que Saul já era morto, também ele se lançou sobre a sua espada, e morreu com ele.

6 Assim morreram juntamente naquele dia Saul, seus três filhos, e seu escudeiro, e todos os seus homens.

7 Quando os israelitas que estavam no outro lado do vale e os que estavam além de Jordão viram que os homens de Israel tinham fugido, e que Saul e seus filhos estavam mortos, abandonaram as suas cidades e fugiram; e vieram os filisteus e habitaram nelas.

8 No dia seguinte, quando os filisteus vieram para despojar os mortos, acharam Saul e seus três filhos estirados no monte Gilboa.

9 Então cortaram a cabeça a Saul e o despejaram das suas armas; e enviaram pela terra dos filisteus, em redor, a anunciá-lo no templo dos seus ídolos e entre e povo,

10 Puseram as armas de Saul no templo de Astarote; e penduraram o seu corpo no muro de Bete-Sã.

11 Quando os moradores de Jabes-Gileade ouviram isso a respeito de Saul, isto é, o que os filisteus lhe tinham feito,

12 todos os homens valorosos se levantaram e, caminhando a noite toda, tiraram e corpo de Saul e os corpos de seus filhos do muro de Bete-Sã; e voltando a Jabes, ali os queimaram.

13 Depois tomaram os seus ossos, e os sepultaram debaixo da tamargueira, em Jabes, e jejuaram sete dias.

1 Samuel 31 Commentary

Chapter 31

Saul's defeat and death. (1-7) Saul's body rescued by the men of Jabesh-gilead. (8-13)

Verses 1-7 We cannot judge of the spiritual or eternal state of any by the manner of their death; for in that, there is one event to the righteous and to the wicked. Saul, when sorely wounded, and unable to resist or to flee, expressed no concern about his never-dying soul; but only desired that the Philistines might not insult over him, or put him to pain, and he became his own murderer. As it is the grand deceit of the devil, to persuade sinners, under great difficulties, to fly to this last act of desperation, it is well to fortify the mind against it, by a serious consideration of its sinfulness before God, and its miserable consequences in society. But our security is not in ourselves. Let us seek protection from Him who keepeth Israel. Let us watch and pray; and take unto us the whole armour of God, that we may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Verses 8-13 The Scripture makes no mention what became of the souls of Saul and his sons, after they were dead; but of their bodies only: secret things belong not to us. It is of little consequence by what means we die, or what is done with our dead bodies. If our souls are saved, our bodies will be raised incorruptible and glorious; but not to fear His wrath, who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell, is the extreme of folly and wickedness. How useless is the respect of fellow-creatures to those who are suffering the wrath of God! While pompous funerals, grand monuments, and he praises of men, honour the memory of the deceased, the soul may be suffering in the regions of darkness and despair! Let us seek that honour which cometh from God only.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 31

This chapter gives an account of the battle between the Philistines and the Israelites, which had been preparing for, and the issue of it; in which Saul, his three sons, and his servants, were slain, upon which his army fled, and several of his cities were taken, 1Sa 31:1-7; what the Philistines did with his body and his armour, 1Sa 31:8-10; the former of which, together with the bodies of his sons, the men of Jabeshgilead rescued, and burnt them, and buried their bones under a tree at Jabesh, expressing great sorrow and concern, 1Sa 31:11-13.