1 Samuel 31:5

5 When his armor bearer saw that Sha'ul was dead, he likewise fell on 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.

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FOOTNOTES:

F4 Sucton. Vit. Caesar. c. 89.

1 Samuel 31:5 In-Context

3 The battle went sore against Sha'ul, and the archers overtook him; and he was greatly distressed by reason of the archers.

4 Then said Sha'ul to his armor bearer, Draw your sword, and thrust me through therewith, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armor bearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Sha'ul took his sword, and fell on it.

5 When his armor bearer saw that Sha'ul was dead, he likewise fell on his sword, and died with him.

6 So Sha'ul died, and his three sons, and his armor bearer, and all his men, that same day together.

7 When the men of Yisra'el who were on the other side of the valley, and those who were beyond the Yarden, saw that the men of Yisra'el fled, and that Sha'ul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities, and fled; and the Pelishtim came and lived in them.