1 Samuel 31 1

1 Samuel 31:1 kjv

Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.

1 Samuel 31:1 nkjv

Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell slain on Mount Gilboa.

1 Samuel 31:1 niv

Now the Philistines fought against Israel; the Israelites fled before them, and many fell dead on Mount Gilboa.

1 Samuel 31:1 esv

Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa.

1 Samuel 31:1 nlt

Now the Philistines attacked Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them. Many were slaughtered on the slopes of Mount Gilboa.

1 Samuel 31 verses

1 Samuel 31 1 Meaning

This verse initiates the final tragic battle of King Saul's reign, where the Philistines attack Israel, resulting in a swift and devastating defeat for the Israelites. The phrase "fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain on Mount Gilboa" starkly depicts a panicked rout and heavy casualties, underscoring Israel's vulnerability and the severity of the loss at this pivotal location.

1 Samuel 31 1 Context

This verse serves as the immediate culmination of King Saul’s spiritual and political decline. Throughout 1 Samuel, Saul, once anointed by God, increasingly disobeys divine commands (e.g., 1 Sam 13, 15), leading to the departure of the Spirit of the LORD from him (1 Sam 16:14). Chapter 28 vividly recounts Saul's desperate, forbidden consultation with the medium of Endor, where the resurrected Samuel foretells his defeat and death, along with his sons, at the hands of the Philistines on the very next day. Chapter 31, therefore, narrates the fulfillment of this ominous prophecy. Historically, the Philistines were a formidable Iron Age power occupying the coastal plain of Canaan. They were technologically superior due to their iron monopoly and posed a constant threat to Israel's nascent kingdom. The battle on Mount Gilboa, located at the southeastern edge of the Jezreel Valley, was a critical engagement. For Israel, the rout was not just a military failure but a stark demonstration of God's withdrawal from Saul, signifying the transfer of His favor to David, who would eventually consolidate Israelite power against the Philistines. The speed of Israel's flight and the scale of their demise underscored a divine hand in their defeat, indicating judgment for Saul’s disobedience.

1 Samuel 31 1 Word analysis

• Now (וְהַפְּלִשְׁתִּים – ve-ha-pelishtim): The Hebrew conjunction "waw" (וְ), "and/now," connects this event immediately to previous narratives, establishing the present moment as a direct consequence or progression, rather than a disconnected event. It creates a sense of imminent action and destiny unfolding.
• the Philistines (הַפְּלִשְׁתִּים – ha-pelishtim): A key antagonistic force against Israel throughout the periods of the Judges and early Monarchy. Their name suggests a migration (from p_l_sh – to pass over, migrate). Here, they act as agents, likely by divine permission, to bring about Saul’s downfall, representing a consistent external threat often used to discipline Israel or test its reliance on God.
• fought (נִלְחֲמוּ – nilchamu): A Hithpael imperfect verb from the root לָחַם (lacham), meaning "to fight, wage war." The form implies active and intense engagement. This wasn't a skirmish but a decisive battle.
• against Israel (בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל – b'Yisrael): Emphasizes that the conflict was not just against King Saul, but against the entire nation, the chosen people of God. The fate of Israel's early kingdom hung in the balance.
• and the men of Israel (וַיָּנֻסוּ אִישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל – vayyanusu ish Yisrael): "Men of Israel" signifies the Israelite army, collectively, implying widespread participation in the subsequent actions.
• fled (וַיָּנֻסוּ – vayyanusu): Wayyiqtol (Vav-consecutive perfect) of נוּס (nus), "to flee, escape." This signifies a panicked and disorganized retreat, not a strategic withdrawal. It points to a decisive rout and breakdown of military order, indicating a lack of God's protective presence.
• from before (מִפְּנֵי – mipney): Literally "from the face of." It signifies fleeing directly away from the enemy's immediate presence, reinforcing the idea of a headlong, desperate escape.
• the Philistines: Repetition of the name underscores their effective aggression and pursuit, leaving no doubt about the cause of Israel’s flight.
• and fell down slain (וַיִּפְּלוּ חֲלָלִים – vayyip'lu chalalim): "Fell down" (vayyip'lu) from נָפַל (naphal), "to fall." "Slain" (chalalim) refers to those pierced through, wounded, or left dead on the battlefield. This describes the tragic outcome – immense loss of life and catastrophic casualties.
• on Mount Gilboa (בְּהַר הַגִּלְבֹּעַ – b'Har haGilboa): A specific geographical landmark. Its mention localizes the tragedy, making the event tangible and historically identifiable. Later, it becomes an enduring symbol of national grief and sorrow through David's lament (2 Sam 1).

• "Now the Philistines fought against Israel": This phrase establishes the immediate, unfolding crisis. It highlights the Philistines' role as direct aggressors and Israel's as the victim. The historical context confirms their long-standing conflict and the Philistines' superior military technology at this time. This isn't just a border skirmish, but a pitched battle with significant implications for Israel’s destiny.
• "and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines": This describes the catastrophic turn of events—a complete collapse of Israel's army. The "fleeing" indicates divine withdrawal from Saul, as earlier Israelite victories often depended on God fighting for them. Their rout signals the lack of God's favor due to Saul's disobedience and his forbidden consultation at Endor.
• "and fell down slain on Mount Gilboa": This summarizes the grim consequences of the flight – not just a retreat, but a massacre. The specified location "Mount Gilboa" immediately sets the scene for the death of King Saul and his sons, transforming this mountain from a mere geographical feature into a symbol of profound national loss and judgment. It serves as a somber precursor to David's powerful lament.

1 Samuel 31 1 Bonus section

• The immediate depiction of the battle's outcome – flight and slaughter – contrasts sharply with accounts of Yahweh's decisive interventions on Israel's behalf in previous eras. This bluntness sets a tone of finality for Saul's reign and highlights the absence of divine protection due to the king's unfaithfulness.
• Mount Gilboa, after this event, became a significant memorial point in Israelite history, later referenced with deep sorrow in David's lament (2 Sam 1:21), where he metaphorically curses the mountains that witnessed such a great loss. This specific geographic naming imbues the verse with profound historical and emotional weight.
• The overwhelming victory of the Philistines here cements their long-standing antagonism towards Israel and acts as the last significant display of their power before David ultimately defeats and subjugates them, signaling the end of an era dominated by this particular foreign threat.

1 Samuel 31 1 Commentary

1 Samuel 31:1 functions as a stark and tragic summary of Saul’s final battle, portraying Israel’s devastating defeat at the hands of the Philistines on Mount Gilboa. The concise description of Israel’s immediate flight and subsequent slaughter underscores the severity of the rout and signifies God’s abandonment of King Saul. This verse is the climactic fulfillment of Samuel's prophecy in 1 Samuel 28:19, confirming that divine judgment for Saul's persistent disobedience, spiritual pride, and consultation with a medium had culminated in the collapse of his kingdom and life. It serves as a somber preamble to the death of Saul and his sons, firmly establishing that national well-being and military success are contingent upon obedience and faithful reliance on God. The account is devoid of the miraculous interventions seen in earlier Israelite victories, emphasizing that without God’s favor, even a divinely appointed king and his army are helpless before their enemies.