1 Chronicles 10 8

1 Chronicles 10:8 kjv

And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen in mount Gilboa.

1 Chronicles 10:8 nkjv

So it happened the next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa.

1 Chronicles 10:8 niv

The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa.

1 Chronicles 10:8 esv

The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa.

1 Chronicles 10:8 nlt

The next day, when the Philistines went out to strip the dead, they found the bodies of Saul and his sons on Mount Gilboa.

1 Chronicles 10 verses

1 Chronicles 10 8 Meaning

This verse describes the immediate aftermath of Israel's crushing defeat by the Philistines on Mount Gilboa, specifically the discovery of the bodies of King Saul and his sons. It signifies the complete military rout, the humiliating end of Saul's kingship and dynastic aspirations, and paves the way for a new era in Israel's history. The act of "stripping the slain" highlights the victor's customary desecration and plunder.

1 Chronicles 10 8 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 10 recounts the tragic end of King Saul's reign, focusing on his final battle and death on Mount Gilboa. This verse is part of the climactic account of the battle's immediate aftermath. Earlier verses detail Israel's flight from the Philistines and the discovery of Saul's self-inflicted wound or request for his armor-bearer to kill him, eventually leading to his death and his sons' deaths. The Chronicler provides a succinct and direct account, aligning closely with 1 Samuel 31, but with an underlying theological purpose to establish God's righteous judgment against Saul due to his unfaithfulness (as stated later in 1 Chron 10:13-14). This defeat, ending the first human king of Israel's reign, directly sets the stage for the ascent of David, establishing the rightful king through God's chosen lineage.

1 Chronicles 10 8 Word analysis

• And it came to pass (wahi, וַיְהִי): A common Hebrew transitional phrase, indicating a sequential event, often with an emphasis on its significance in the narrative flow. It simply means "it happened."
• on the morrow (bammoḥārāh, בַּמָּחֳרָת): Literally, "on the next day." This detail signifies the immediate consequence and swiftness of events following the battle. There was no reprieve or recovery for Israel; the discovery and humiliation were instant.
• when the Philistines (ha-pělišhtîm, הַפְּלִשְׁתִּים): The name of Israel's persistent enemy. Their action here reinforces their decisive victory and dominance over Israel in this moment, emphasizing the severity of the defeat for God's people.
• came to strip (l'haphšîṭ, לְהַפְשִׁיט): The act of disarming or divesting the dead. In ancient warfare, victors stripped bodies for valuable armor, weapons, and clothing. This practice was not merely for plunder but also an act of severe humiliation and desecration of the vanquished, symbolizing their absolute defeat and loss of honor.
• the slain (heḥălālîm, הַחֲלָלִים): Refers to the "dead" or "slain ones" from the battle. It denotes the vast number of Israelite soldiers who perished, underscoring the completeness of the rout.
• that they found (wayyimṣû, וַיִּמְצְאוּ): They discovered. This signifies the intentional search for casualties, and specifically, high-value targets among them, which included the king.
• Saul and his sons (šāʾûl wûḇānāyw, שָׁאוּל וּבָנָיו): Specifically names the fallen king and his offspring. This highlights the dynastic catastrophe – not just a king's death, but the end of his line's claim to the throne. This outcome contrasts sharply with God's promised eternal dynasty to David.
• fallen (nôflîm, נֹפְלִים): Describes them as "having fallen" or "being dead." It's a euphemistic and solemn way to indicate their demise, conveying their state of death as a result of battle.
• in Mount Gilboa (bahar hāgilbōaʿ, בְּהַר הַגִּלְבֹּעַ): The specific geographic location where the battle took place and where the bodies were discovered. Gilboa becomes a symbol of Israel's great defeat and national mourning.

1 Chronicles 10 8 Bonus section

The fate of Saul's body and armor in subsequent verses (1 Chron 10:9-10) further amplifies the Philistines' desecration, bringing his head to their idols and displaying his armor in the temple of Ashtoreth. This was meant to give credit to their false gods and publicly mock the God of Israel and His defeated king. However, the subsequent courageous actions of the men of Jabesh-Gilead who risked their lives to retrieve Saul's and his sons' bodies (1 Chron 10:11-12) provide a poignant contrast. Their loyalty and reverence offered a semblance of dignity in death for the very king whose life ended in disgrace. This shows that even amidst the utter despair and humiliation of Israel's defeat, acts of valor and faithfulness could still be found among His people.

1 Chronicles 10 8 Commentary

1 Chronicles 10:8 paints a stark and poignant picture of Israel's national catastrophe. The precise timing, "on the morrow," underscores the immediacy of the Philistine victory and their brutal custom of stripping the slain. This act was not just about plundering wealth, but an explicit desecration designed to humiliate the vanquished, and for a king like Saul, it was the ultimate indignity in ancient culture. The discovery of Saul and his sons dead on Mount Gilboa serves as the dramatic culmination of his rejection by God. The Chronicler meticulously documents this detail, not merely as a historical footnote, but as a theological statement. Saul's inglorious end is depicted as a direct consequence of his unfaithfulness and seeking guidance from a medium rather than the Lord (1 Chron 10:13-14). Thus, the verse signifies the divine judgment against an disobedient king and provides the essential precursor to the righteous establishment of the Davidic monarchy, whose rule is favored by God.