1 Samuel 31 10

1 Samuel 31:10 kjv

And they put his armor in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Bethshan.

1 Samuel 31:10 nkjv

Then they put his armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths, and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth Shan.

1 Samuel 31:10 niv

They put his armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths and fastened his body to the wall of Beth Shan.

1 Samuel 31:10 esv

They put his armor in the temple of Ashtaroth, and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan.

1 Samuel 31:10 nlt

They placed his armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths, and they fastened his body to the wall of the city of Beth-shan.

1 Samuel 31 verses

1 Samuel 31 10 Meaning

1 Samuel 31:10 describes the Philistines' triumphal actions after Saul's defeat and death. They desecrated Saul's body by publicly fastening it to the wall of Beth-shan, a prominent Philistine city. Simultaneously, they presented Saul's personal armor as a war trophy in the temple of Ashtaroth, their primary goddess. These acts served to demonstrate their absolute victory, humiliate the fallen Israelite king and his nation, and render tribute to their deity Ashtaroth, whom they credited for their triumph over Israel's God.

1 Samuel 31 10 Context

The verse is the culminating action by the Philistines following their decisive victory over Israel on Mount Gilboa, detailed in 1 Samuel chapter 31. Saul and his three sons, including Jonathan, had been slain in battle. Saul himself died by falling on his sword after being gravely wounded, rather than facing capture and desecration by the uncircumcised Philistines (v. 4-5). This verse describes the Philistines' actions the day after the battle, as they scavenge the battlefield and discover the bodies. Their actions – taking Saul's head, stripping his armor, and displaying his body – are intended as a public demonstration of their triumph and a humiliation of Israel, reflecting common Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) war practices of parading vanquished leaders' remains and offering spoils to victor gods. Beth-shan was a strategic Philistine stronghold, ideally situated for such a public spectacle. The temple of Ashtaroth signifies the religious dimension of their victory, crediting their deity for subduing Israel's God.

1 Samuel 31 10 Word analysis

• And they put his armor:
  • armor (כְּלֵי Kelēi): Refers specifically to Saul's distinctive personal weaponry and military equipment. Such items were highly prized war trophies.
  • Significance: Placing the king's armor in their temple represented a physical appropriation of Israel's might and a visible tribute to Ashtaroth, signaling their god's superior power over Yahweh, the God of Israel, in Philistine eyes.
• in the temple of Ashtaroth:
  • temple (בֵּית Beith): Literally "house" or "shrine."
  • Ashtaroth (עַשְׁתָּרוֹת Ashtarot): The plural form of Astarte, a prominent Canaanite and Philistine goddess of fertility, war, and sensual love. Her worship often involved idolatry and ritual prostitution, frequently condemned in the Bible.
  • Significance: This act was deeply polemical, a public declaration by the Philistines that their goddess, Ashtaroth, had vanquished Israel's God. It was a common pagan practice to dedicate war spoils to their deities. For the Israelites, it symbolized profound religious and national humiliation.
• and they fastened his body:
  • fastened (תָּקְעוּ taq'ū): Can mean "pierced," "nailed," "fixed," or "hung up." The exact method is not specified, but it implies a public display, likely involving impalement or nailing to the wall for maximum humiliation.
  • body (גְוִיָּתֹו gᵉwiyyātô): His corpse, specifically emphasizing the physical remains being subjected to dishonor.
  • Significance: To leave a body unburied and exposed was considered a deep curse and ultimate disgrace in ancient Israel (Deut 21:22-23), reserved for criminals. This act intended to totally debase the former king and terrify any who might resist Philistine dominance.
• to the wall of Beth-shan:
  • wall (חוֹמַת ḥômāt): A fortified city wall, visible to all approaching.
  • Beth-shan (בֵּית־שָׁן Beit-Shan): A major city in the Jezreel Valley, strategically important and then under Philistine control.
  • Significance: The public display on the city wall served as a grim trophy and a warning to any who viewed it, broadcasting the Philistine victory throughout the region and solidifying their perceived control.

1 Samuel 31 10 Bonus section

The severe humiliation Saul's body endured, culminating in its fastening to the wall of Beth-shan, was directly counteracted by the remarkable act of loyalty and bravery shown by the men of Jabesh-Gilead. Saul had previously rescued Jabesh-Gilead from Nahash the Ammonite (1 Sam 11). Their brave night-time journey and the retrieval of the bodies not only ensured a proper Israelite burial, but also demonstrated a covenant-like faithfulness in return for Saul's earlier deliverance. This counter-narrative of respect amidst Philistine desecration highlights the lingering pockets of honor and God-ordained justice even in times of Israel's national disgrace. While the Philistines claimed victory for Ashtaroth, Saul's ultimate reburial affirmed Israelite customs, despite his tragic end. This episode serves as a powerful reminder of God's overarching sovereignty even when His people face apparent defeat and their king is utterly dishonored by pagan enemies.

1 Samuel 31 10 Commentary

1 Samuel 31:10 vividly portrays the utter triumph and merciless humiliation inflicted by the Philistines upon vanquished King Saul. This public display of Saul's armor in the temple of Ashtaroth and his body on the wall of Beth-shan underscored both their military dominance and their perceived religious superiority. It was a potent act of symbolic desecration, an assault on Israel's king, people, and their God. However, the subsequent courageous actions of the men of Jabesh-Gilead (v. 11-13) in retrieving and burying the bodies of Saul and his sons demonstrate a contrasting act of loyalty and respect, underscoring that while human defeat may appear absolute, divine plans and human fidelity often transcend such moments of despair.