1 Samuel 31

1 Philisthim autem pugnabant adversum Israhel et fugerunt viri Israhel ante faciem Philisthim et ceciderunt interfecti in monte Gelboe

2 inrueruntque Philisthim in Saul et filios eius et percusserunt Ionathan et Abinadab et Melchisue filios Saul

3 totumque pondus proelii versum est in Saul et consecuti sunt eum viri sagittarii et vulneratus est vehementer a sagittariis

4 dixitque Saul ad armigerum suum evagina gladium tuum et percute me ne forte veniant incircumcisi isti et interficiant me inludentes mihi et noluit armiger eius fuerat enim nimio timore perterritus arripuit itaque Saul gladium et inruit super eum

5 quod cum vidisset armiger eius videlicet quod mortuus esset Saul inruit etiam ipse super gladium suum et mortuus est cum eo

6 mortuus est ergo Saul et tres filii eius et armiger illius et universi viri eius in die illa pariter

7 videntes autem viri Israhel qui erant trans vallem et trans Iordanem quod fugissent viri israhelitae et quod mortuus esset Saul et filii eius reliquerunt civitates suas et fugerunt veneruntque Philisthim et habitaverunt ibi

8 facta autem die altera venerunt Philisthim ut spoliarent interfectos et invenerunt Saul et tres filios eius iacentes in monte Gelboe

9 et praeciderunt caput Saul et expoliaverunt eum armis et miserunt in terram Philisthinorum per circuitum ut adnuntiaretur in templo idolorum et in populis

10 et posuerunt arma eius in templo Astharoth corpus vero eius suspenderunt in muro Bethsan

11 quod cum audissent habitatores Iabesgalaad quaecumque fecerant Philisthim Saul

12 surrexerunt omnes viri fortissimi et ambulaverunt tota nocte et tulerunt cadaver Saul et cadavera filiorum eius de muro Bethsan veneruntque Iabes et conbuserunt ea ibi

13 et tulerunt ossa eorum et sepelierunt in nemore Iabes et ieiunaverunt septem diebus

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.