1 Chronicles 10 7

1 Chronicles 10:7 kjv

And when all the men of Israel that were in the valley saw that they fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, then they forsook their cities, and fled: and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.

1 Chronicles 10:7 nkjv

And when all the men of Israel who were in the valley saw that they had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook their cities and fled; then the Philistines came and dwelt in them.

1 Chronicles 10:7 niv

When all the Israelites in the valley saw that the army had fled and that Saul and his sons had died, they abandoned their towns and fled. And the Philistines came and occupied them.

1 Chronicles 10:7 esv

And when all the men of Israel who were in the valley saw that the army had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and fled, and the Philistines came and lived in them.

1 Chronicles 10:7 nlt

When all the Israelites in the Jezreel Valley saw that their army had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their towns and fled. So the Philistines moved in and occupied their towns.

1 Chronicles 10 verses

1 Chronicles 10 7 Meaning

1 Chronicles 10:7 describes the immediate aftermath of Israel's crushing defeat by the Philistines on Mount Gilboa, which resulted in the deaths of King Saul and his sons. Upon witnessing the flight of the Israelite army and confirming the death of their leaders, the men of Israel residing in the nearby valleys were gripped by fear and consequently abandoned their cities and fled. This panicked exodus created a power vacuum, allowing the Philistines to swiftly move in and establish their presence by living in these vacated Israelite cities. The verse highlights the depth of Israel's military and social collapse at the close of Saul's reign, leading to significant territorial loss and enemy occupation.

1 Chronicles 10 7 Context

1 Chronicles 10 describes the catastrophic end of King Saul's reign, directly contrasting with the Chronicler's typical focus on positive aspects of Israel's history to highlight God's faithfulness through the Davidic line. This specific verse (1 Chr 10:7) immediately follows the description of Saul's suicide and the deaths of his sons in battle on Mount Gilboa. The news of the decisive defeat and the fall of the king quickly spread, instilling profound fear in the Israelite populace residing in the surrounding lowlands. Historically, the Jezreel Valley, where the battle took place, was a crucial strategic and fertile region. Saul's inability to definitively overcome the Philistines and his eventual demise marked a period of weakness and instability for Israel, leading directly to the Philistine occupation of key territories as depicted in this verse. It underscores the severity of the crisis and sets the stage for God's raising up of David.

1 Chronicles 10 7 Word analysis

• When all the men of Israel: Implies a collective, widespread reaction. It refers to the common people, not just the remnant of the army. This underscores the total breakdown of order and morale beyond the battlefield.
• who were in the valley: (Hebrew: בעמק, ba'emek - "in the valley"). This refers specifically to the residents of the lowlands adjacent to the battle site (Mount Gilboa), likely the Jezreel Valley. Their location put them in direct sight or immediate proximity to the rout, making their response swift and personal. These were settled communities now vulnerable.
• saw: (Hebrew: וַיִּרְאוּ, vayyir'u - "and they saw"). Signifies direct observation, or receiving verifiable news. It suggests an undeniable reality that provoked their action, rather than just rumors. The visual or confirmed evidence of defeat caused panic.
• that the army had fled: (Hebrew: כי נס הצבא, ki nas haTsava' - "that the army fled"). The Hebrew word נס (nas) conveys a hurried flight or routing, not an orderly retreat. It denotes a complete and disorganized collapse of their fighting force, a severe rout. This was a clear sign of overwhelming defeat.
• and that Saul and his sons were dead: The loss of the king and his royal heirs was the ultimate blow, signaling the demise of their leadership, continuity, and perhaps even national identity. This confirmation compounded the fear, as it left Israel utterly leaderless and vulnerable.
• they abandoned their cities: (Hebrew: ויעזבו את עריהם, vayya'azvu et 'arehem - "and they abandoned their cities"). To abandon (עזב, 'azav) implies leaving behind possessions, homes, and defense. It demonstrates utter hopelessness and a lack of will to resist or protect their homes. This was a surrender of territory by the civilian populace.
• and fled: (Hebrew: וינוסו, vayyanusu - "and they fled"). A repetition of the concept of fleeing, reinforcing the extent and urgency of their panicked escape. It paints a picture of disoriented and widespread flight for personal survival.
• So the Philistines came: (Hebrew: ויבואו פלשתים, vayyavo'u pelishtim - "and the Philistines came"). This indicates the immediate and direct consequence of Israel's flight. The enemy exploited the vacuum, claiming the land as rightful spoils of war without further struggle.
• and lived in them: (Hebrew: וישבו בהן, vayyeshvah bahen - "and they dwelt/settled in them"). The verb ישב (yashav) means to sit, dwell, or settle. It implies not merely passing through or looting, but establishing residence, signifying effective occupation and control over formerly Israelite territory. This confirmed the lasting territorial loss.

1 Chronicles 10 7 Bonus section

The parallel account in 1 Samuel 31:7 gives almost identical phrasing for this event, emphasizing its factual basis and tragic reality. However, the Chronicler's inclusion here highlights its theological significance: this catastrophic failure under Saul underscored the necessity of God's appointed king (David) to lead Israel effectively and obediently, ensuring divine blessing and security against their enemies. The Philistine occupation of Israelite cities after the battle also reveals the Philistine strategy of not merely raiding but aiming for territorial control and suppression, which would become a key challenge for David to address in his early reign. This abandonment by the Israelites indicates a failure of faith and courage under extreme duress, contrasting with periods when Israel, trusting in God, stood firm against superior forces.

1 Chronicles 10 7 Commentary

1 Chronicles 10:7 vividly portrays the immediate and profound national crisis triggered by the defeat at Gilboa and the death of King Saul. The comprehensive rout of the Israelite army and the definitive demise of their leadership led to widespread panic among the populace in the adjacent valleys. Their subsequent abandonment of cities out of fear was not merely an act of survival but represented a deep socio-political collapse. This spontaneous, uncontrolled exodus left strategic towns vulnerable, allowing the Philistines to not just plunder, but to actually occupy these formerly Israelite settlements, signifying a major loss of territory and sovereignty. The verse serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of national military defeat, highlighting how leadership failure can cascade into widespread societal upheaval and loss, directly preceding the emergence of David's righteous reign which would rectify such conditions.