1 Chronicles 10:2 kjv
And the Philistines followed hard after Saul, and after his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul.
1 Chronicles 10:2 nkjv
Then the Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons. And the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul's sons.
1 Chronicles 10:2 niv
The Philistines were in hot pursuit of Saul and his sons, and they killed his sons Jonathan, Abinadab and Malki-Shua.
1 Chronicles 10:2 esv
And the Philistines overtook Saul and his sons, and the Philistines struck down Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul.
1 Chronicles 10:2 nlt
The Philistines closed in on Saul and his sons, and they killed three of his sons ? Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malkishua.
1 Chronicles 10 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sam 31:2 | And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul, and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, Saul's sons. | Direct parallel account. |
| 1 Chr 10:13-14 | So Saul died for his transgression... | Saul's death as divine judgment. |
| 1 Sam 13:13-14 | ...you have not kept the command of the Lord...the Lord has sought a man after his own heart... | Saul's disobedience leading to rejection. |
| 1 Sam 15:23 | For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft... | Consequences of Saul's unfaithfulness. |
| 1 Sam 28:19 | ...the Lord will deliver Israel also with thee into the hand of the Philistines... | Samuel's prophecy of defeat to Saul. |
| 1 Sam 14:49 | Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Malchishua... | Naming of Saul's sons, "Ishui" is Abinadab. |
| 1 Chr 8:33 | And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal. | Listing of Saul's genealogy and sons. |
| 2 Sam 2:8 | But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ishbosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; | Reference to another son of Saul who survived. |
| 1 Sam 4:10 | And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten... | Previous defeat of Israel by Philistines. |
| 1 Sam 17:52 | And the men of Israel and of Judah arose... and chased the Philistines... | Israel's past victory over Philistines. |
| Judg 10:7 | And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines... | God's use of Philistines for judgment. |
| Ps 75:6-7 | For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another. | God's sovereignty over kings. |
| Dan 2:21 | He changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings... | God's control over human authority. |
| Job 12:23 | He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them... he changeth the face of the earth, and scattereth them. | Divine sovereignty over nations. |
| Deut 28:25 | The Lord shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies... | Defeat as a consequence of disobedience. |
| Lev 26:17 | And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies... | Threat of defeat for disobedience. |
| 1 Sam 16:1 | And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? ... | God moving on from Saul to choose David. |
| 1 Chr 11:1 | Then all Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. | David's ascension after Saul's fall. |
| Ps 89:38-39 | But thou hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thine anointed. Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant... | The rejection of God's anointed due to sin. |
| Rom 6:23 | For the wages of sin is death... | Theological truth of consequence for sin. |
| Gal 6:7 | Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. | Spiritual principle of consequences. |
| Jer 19:7 | And I will make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place; and I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies... | God bringing defeat upon disobedient people. |
1 Chronicles 10 verses
1 Chronicles 10 2 Meaning
This verse describes the intense and fatal pursuit by the Philistines of King Saul and his sons during the battle on Mount Gilboa. It specifically records the death of three of Saul's sons: Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, highlighting the devastating military defeat and dynastic tragedy for Israel's first king.
1 Chronicles 10 2 Context
Chapter 10 of 1 Chronicles serves as a succinct bridge, marking the definitive end of the reign of King Saul and the beginning of the period leading to King David's rise. While briefly recounting the military defeat by the Philistines and Saul's demise, the Chronicler's primary emphasis is theological. This verse details the immediate military tragedy, specifically the intensity of the Philistine attack and the death of Saul's sons, paving the way for the following explanation in verses 13-14 regarding why Saul's kingdom fell—due to his unfaithfulness to the Lord. It quickly disposes of Saul's rule, a necessary preliminary for focusing on David's righteous lineage and reign, which forms the core of the Chronicler's narrative. Historically, this describes the Battle of Mount Gilboa, a decisive event that solidified Philistine control and led to the political vacuum filled by David.
1 Chronicles 10 2 Word analysis
- And: (Hebrew: וַ) - A conjunction connecting this statement to the overall flow of the narrative from the previous verse, signaling continuity of action.
- the Philistines: (Hebrew: פְלִשְׁתִּים, Pəlištîm) - The traditional and perennial adversaries of Israel throughout the periods of the Judges and early Monarchy. Their presence here underscores the existential threat they posed.
- followed hard after: (Hebrew: וַיַּדְלְקוּ, wayyaddelqu, from root דָּלַק dalaq) - Literally "pursued hotly," "burned," "chased vehemently." This signifies an intense, relentless, and unsparing pursuit, leaving no quarter. It conveys the ferocity and effectiveness of the Philistine attack, emphasizing a complete rout rather than a simple retreat.
- Saul: (Hebrew: שָׁאוּל, Shā’ûl) - Israel's first king, chosen by God but later rejected due to disobedience. His tragic end marks the climax of his downfall.
- and after his sons: (Hebrew: וְאַחַר בָּנָיו, wə’aḥar bānāw) - Implies a collective and total rout, with the royal lineage itself being targeted.
- and the Philistines: (Hebrew: וּפְלִשְׁתִּים, ūfəlištîm) - Repeated for emphasis, highlighting their active role as the agents of destruction.
- slew: (Hebrew: וַיַּהַרְגוּ, wayyahargu, from root הָרַג harag) - To kill, slay. This is a direct and forceful verb, leaving no ambiguity about the outcome of the pursuit.
- Jonathan: (Hebrew: יוֹנָתָן, Yônātān) - Saul's eldest and most renowned son, a brave warrior and loyal friend to David. His death is particularly poignant, as he was a man of great integrity and faith, beloved by the people. His demise signifies the end of a potential rightful heir (apart from Saul's spiritual failings) and strengthens David's eventual claim.
- and Abinadab: (Hebrew: אֲבִינָדָב, Avinadav) - Another of Saul's sons, also known as Ishvi in 1 Sam 14:49. His name means "my father is generous/noble."
- and Malchi-shua: (Hebrew: מַלְכִּישׁוּעַ, Malki-shua) - Another son of Saul. His name means "my king is salvation" or "my king is opulence."
- Saul's sons: (Hebrew: בְּנֵי שָׁאוּל, bənê Shā’ûl) - This collective identification underscores their familial and royal connection to Saul, emphasizing the tragic extinction of a significant portion of his direct male line, ensuring the dynastic transition to David.
- "followed hard after Saul and after his sons": This phrase paints a picture of intense, unwavering pursuit, demonstrating the complete military dominance of the Philistines and the utter desperation and helplessness of the Israelite leadership. It foreshadows the swift and comprehensive downfall of Saul's kingdom.
- "the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, Saul's sons": This specific listing of the names of the dead royal princes personalizes the tragedy and marks the decisive end of Saul's immediate dynastic hopes through these individuals. The death of these key heirs (especially Jonathan, who could have been a strong contender for the throne) clears the path for a new era under God's chosen king.
1 Chronicles 10 2 Bonus section
The Chronicler's decision to rapidly dispose of Saul's reign in just one chapter, specifically by focusing on his ultimate defeat and death as a direct consequence of his unfaithfulness, underlines a core theological theme. The detail of the Philistines following hard after highlights the intensity of divine retribution; there was no escape from the outcome of Saul's actions. The Battle of Mount Gilboa thus signifies not just a military loss, but the complete removal of an unrighteous kingdom, making a clear path for the establishment of a covenant-faithful kingdom under David, through whom God's promises would be realized. The brief naming of Saul's fallen sons serves as a stark testament to the totality of the change in leadership orchestrated by God.
1 Chronicles 10 2 Commentary
This verse, while brief, captures the calamitous end of King Saul's reign, mirroring the account in 1 Samuel 31 but viewed through the unique theological lens of the Chronicler. The swift and brutal elimination of Saul's key sons by the Philistines—a long-standing enemy representing opposition to God's people—serves as concrete evidence of God's judgment against Saul's disobedience (as stated more explicitly in 1 Chronicles 10:13-14). The relentless pursuit and subsequent killing indicate a total military defeat, leaving no hope for Saul's lineage to continue the kingdom. The inclusion of Jonathan, a man known for his faith and righteousness and David's loyal friend, highlights the profound consequences of Saul's rejection by God, affecting even those close to him who were more faithful. This concise depiction efficiently brings one era to a close, setting the stage for the divinely appointed monarchy of David.