1 Samuel 31:5

5 And when his armorbearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell upon his sword, and died with him.

1 Samuel 31:5 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 31:5

And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead
By his own hands, and not by the hands of the Amalekite, which the armour bearer would scarcely have suffered:

he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him;
some think that Saul, and his armourbearer, died by the same sword, which was the armourbearer's; and if he was Doeg, they fell probably by the same sword with which the priests of the Lord were murdered at Nob, ( 1 Samuel 22:18 ) ; and it is observed by an historian F4, that the murderers of Julius Caesar slew themselves with the same dagger they destroyed him.


FOOTNOTES:

F4 Sucton. Vit. Caesar. c. 89.

1 Samuel 31:5 In-Context

3 And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers overtook him; and he was greatly distressed by reason of the archers.
4 Then said Saul to his armorbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armorbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took his sword, and fell upon it.
5 And when his armorbearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell upon his sword, and died with him.
6 So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armorbearer, and all his men, that same day together.
7 And when the men of Israel that were on the other side of the valley, and they that were beyond the Jordan, saw that the men of Israel fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.
The American Standard Version is in the public domain.