1 Samuel 31 2

1 Samuel 31:2 kjv

And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Melchishua, Saul's sons.

1 Samuel 31:2 nkjv

Then the Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons. And the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul's sons.

1 Samuel 31:2 niv

The Philistines were in hot pursuit of Saul and his sons, and they killed his sons Jonathan, Abinadab and Malki-Shua.

1 Samuel 31:2 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 Samuel 31:2 nlt

The Philistines closed in on Saul and his sons, and they killed three of his sons ? Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malkishua.

1 Samuel 31 verses

1 Samuel 31 2 Meaning

This verse describes a pivotal and tragic moment in the battle of Mount Gilboa: the relentless pursuit by the Philistine forces resulted in the deaths of three of King Saul's sons—Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchi-shua. It signals the complete rout of the Israelite army and the devastating collapse of Saul's house and his hope for dynastic succession.

1 Samuel 31 2 Context

(1 Sam 31) This chapter narrates the disastrous Battle of Mount Gilboa, marking the tragic end of King Saul's reign and his life. Following their earlier triumphs, the Philistines gathered their forces, pushing Israel to a final, decisive confrontation. Verses 1 and 2 establish the initial chaos of Israel's defeat: the Israelite army fled before the advancing Philistines, who relentlessly pursued and killed Saul's sons. This specific verse pinpoints the direct impact on Saul's lineage, highlighting the Philistine's success in decapitating the Israelite leadership. Historically, this period was characterized by intense conflict between Israel and the well-equipped Philistines, who maintained technological superiority (iron weaponry) and controlled strategic regions. Saul's kingship, granted partly at the people's insistence rather than pure divine initiative (1 Sam 8), was ultimately marked by disobedience, leading to the withdrawal of God's Spirit and favor (1 Sam 16:1, 28:15). The battle at Gilboa thus serves as a powerful testament to the consequences of disobedience and God's sovereign control over nations and their rulers, fulfilling prophecies against Saul's house.

1 Samuel 31 2 Word analysis

• And the Philistines: (וַיַּדְבְּקוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים – vayyad'bku pĕlištîm) פְלִשְׁתִּים (Pelishtim) refers to the Philistines, the long-standing formidable adversaries of Israel who often dominated the region, militarily and technologically superior at this time. Their mention signifies the direct instrument of Israel's judgment and defeat.
• followed hard after: (וַיַּדְבְּקוּ – vayyad'bku) From the Hebrew verb דבק (dabaq), meaning "to cleave, cling, stick fast." In the Hifil stem, it carries the sense of "to cause to cleave to, pursue closely, overtake." This conveys a sense of relentless, intense, and unescapable pursuit, indicating that the Philistines were not just pursuing but successfully closing in on and overwhelming the fleeing Israelites. It highlights the completeness of the rout.
• Saul and after his sons: (אֶל־שָׁאוּל וְאֶל־בָּנָיו – ʾel-šaʾûl wĕʾel-bānāw) Refers to King Saul, the first king of Israel, and his direct offspring. Their targeting signifies the systematic destruction of the Israelite leadership and the threat to the royal dynasty. This indicates a focus on incapacitating Israel's command structure.
• and the Philistines slew: (וַיַּכּוּ פְלִשְׁתִּים – vayyakku pĕlištîm) From נכה (nakah), meaning "to strike, smite, kill." In the Hifil, it implies decisive and effective action. This phrase directly states the fatal consequence of the pursuit by the Philistines.
• Jonathan: (יוֹנָתָן – Yonatan) Son of Saul, known for his loyalty, courage, and selfless friendship with David. His death is particularly poignant, as he was a man of great character and promise. His demise is a significant loss to Israel and a personal tragedy for David, also serving to clear the path for David's undisputed ascension to the throne by removing a popular royal heir.
• and Abinadab: (וַאֲבִינָדָב – vaʾăvînāḏāḇ) One of Saul's sons, also called Ishvi in 1 Sam 14:49. His name means "my father is generous" or "my father is noble," which contrasts with the tragic fate of Saul's lineage.
• and Malchi-shua: (וּמַלְכִּישׁוּעַ – ûmalkî-šûaʿ) Another of Saul's sons. His name means "my king is salvation" or "my king is opulence," an ironic designation given the circumstances of his death in the context of Israel's profound defeat and Saul's ultimate rejection.
• Saul's sons: (בְּנֵי שָׁאוּל – bĕnê šāʾûl) This final grouping emphasizes the family relationship of the slain, underscoring the devastating impact on Saul's direct lineage and the succession of his house. It serves as a stark illustration of the completeness of God's judgment against Saul.

1 Samuel 31 2 Bonus section

• The parallel account in 1 Chron 10:2 precisely mirrors this verse, highlighting its narrative and theological importance as the decisive moment of Saul's defeat and the collapse of his family.
• The death of these sons of Saul (along with Saul himself in subsequent verses) is not just a military loss but a critical step in God's unfolding plan, clearing the path for David to become king over all Israel without internal dynastic opposition.
• The phrase "followed hard after" using דבק implies an adherence so close that it resulted in the decisive taking of life, a fatal clinging. This imagery communicates inescapable doom once divine favor was withdrawn from Saul.
• The irony in the names Abinadab and Malchi-shua, both relating to God or king as provider/savior, further emphasizes the grim reality of their death under God's judgment upon Saul. Their king (Saul) brought them no salvation but defeat.

1 Samuel 31 2 Commentary

1 Samuel 31:2 is a succinct but powerfully grim verse detailing the tragic immediate aftermath of the battle of Gilboa. It graphically depicts the complete military collapse of Israel: their rout was so profound that even the king's royal heirs could not escape the pursuing Philistine army. The relentless "following hard after" underscores the utter desperation and overwhelming defeat of Saul's forces. The named deaths of Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchi-shua are crucial. Jonathan's death, in particular, carries deep emotional and theological weight, signifying the end of a noble character and directly fulfilling Samuel's prophecy (1 Sam 28:19) concerning the demise of Saul and his sons. This moment solidified the finality of God's rejection of Saul's dynastic aspirations and perfectly paved the way for David's ultimate and divinely ordained rule, though born from a moment of national tragedy and personal grief. This verse serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences of disobedience and reliance on human strength apart from divine favor.