1 Samuel 31:3 kjv
And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers.
1 Samuel 31:3 nkjv
The battle became fierce against Saul. The archers hit him, and he was severely wounded by the archers.
1 Samuel 31:3 niv
The fighting grew fierce around Saul, and when the archers overtook him, they wounded him critically.
1 Samuel 31:3 esv
The battle pressed hard against Saul, and the archers found him, and he was badly wounded by the archers.
1 Samuel 31:3 nlt
The fighting grew very fierce around Saul, and the Philistine archers caught up with him and wounded him severely.
1 Samuel 31 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sam 28:19 | Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel... into the hand of the Philistines: and tomorrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me... | Prophecy of Saul's death. |
| 1 Chr 10:3 | And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him... | Parallel account of Saul's end. |
| Deut 32:39 | See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal... | God's ultimate power over life and death. |
| Ps 20:7 | Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. | Contrast reliance on human strength vs. God. |
| Ps 33:16 | No king is saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. | Human might is insufficient for salvation. |
| Jer 17:5 | Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm... | Warning against trusting in human power. |
| Prov 16:18 | Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. | Saul's pride leading to his demise. |
| 1 Sam 15:23 | For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. | Saul's rejection by God due to disobedience. |
| Rom 6:23 | For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. | The consequences of unrepentant sin. |
| Gal 6:7 | Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. | Reaping the consequences of one's actions. |
| Judg 4:15 | And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host... | God causing discomfiture and defeat in battle. |
| Josh 23:10 | One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you. | Contrast: God fighting for Israel when obedient. |
| Ps 7:13 | He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth his arrows against the persecutors. | Arrows as instruments of God's judgment. |
| Lam 3:12 | He hath bent his bow, and set me as a mark for the arrow. | Figurative language for being a target of divine judgment. |
| Ps 18:34 | He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. | Contrast: David empowered by God in battle. |
| 2 Sam 1:27 | How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished! | Lament over Saul's fall. |
| Isa 1:28 | And the destruction of the transgressors and of the sinners shall be together, and they that forsake the LORD shall be consumed. | Fate of those who forsake the LORD. |
| 1 Sam 4:10 | And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter... | Earlier Israelite defeat by Philistines, signifying consequences of spiritual state. |
| Jer 4:29 | The whole city shall flee for the noise of the horsemen and bowmen... | Archers/bowmen as instruments of devastation. |
| Job 20:5 | ...the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment? | The temporary nature of success for those outside God's will. |
1 Samuel 31 verses
1 Samuel 31 3 Meaning
The verse details the intense and crushing defeat of King Saul at the hands of the Philistines. It portrays a battle turning severely against him, resulting in him being struck by archers and gravely wounded. This particular account emphasizes the precision and effectiveness of the Philistine archers, highlighting Saul's desperate and dire situation as he faces unavoidable personal and national collapse. It signifies the culmination of his kingdom's downfall and the direct consequences of his disobedience to God.
1 Samuel 31 3 Context
This verse occurs during the final, desperate battle between Israel and the Philistines on Mount Gilboa. It marks the tragic culmination of King Saul's reign, which began with promise but deteriorated due to his repeated disobedience and rejection of God's commands. Prior to this battle, Saul, cut off from divine guidance, resorted to consulting a medium in Endor (1 Samuel 28), where the deceased Samuel prophesied his defeat and death, along with that of his sons. The intense imagery in this verse emphasizes the overwhelming nature of the Philistine victory and the complete undoing of Israel's military strength under Saul. This historical event served as a stark lesson for the original audience about the consequences of spiritual rebellion and leadership that deviates from God's word, laying the groundwork for David's rightful ascension to the throne.
1 Samuel 31 3 Word analysis
- And the battle: Hebrew: וְהַמִּלְחָמָה (ve-hammilchamah). The connective "And" signals the direct progression of events. "The battle" (hammilchamah) refers to a specific, ongoing, decisive engagement. The definite article emphasizes its significance.
- went sore against Saul: Hebrew: כָּבְדָה עַל-שָׁאוּל (kav'dah al-Sha'ul). Literally, "was heavy upon Saul" or "weighed heavily against Saul." The root כָּבַד (kavad) means "to be heavy," implying great pressure, burden, or intensity. It suggests the overwhelming force of the opposition, pushing Saul and his forces to their breaking point, reflecting utter defeat. This is not merely a difficult fight but a crushing, oppressive burden.
- and the archers: Hebrew: הַיּוֹרִים (hayyorim). From the root יָרָה (yarah), "to shoot" or "to instruct." "The archers" denotes a specific military unit highly skilled in projectile warfare. The definite article implies they were well-known for their effectiveness. Philistine military might, particularly their use of chariots and archers, often posed a significant threat to the Israelite infantry, who initially had less advanced weaponry. This highlights a tactical advantage that Israel lacked.
- hit him: Hebrew: וַיִּמְצָאֻהוּ (vayyimtza'uhu). Literally, "and they found him." In military context, "found him" implies a successful and precise targeting, not just accidentally encountering him. It suggests he was specifically identified as a high-value target and their shots found their mark with accuracy, leading to a direct strike.
- and he was sore wounded: Hebrew: וַיָּחֶל (vayyachel). From the root חָלָה (chalah), meaning "to be sick," "weak," or "gravely wounded/in pain." "Sore wounded" indicates severe, debilitating injuries, causing great pain and rendering him unable to continue fighting effectively. It speaks to the severity of the damage inflicted.
- of the archers: Repetition emphasizes the direct and specific cause of Saul's grave wounds. This reinforcement underscores that the archers were the decisive instruments of his undoing, bringing about his personal catastrophe. The phrasing highlights that his wounds were not from a general melee but from precision strikes.
- "The battle went sore against Saul": This phrase captures the immediate sense of the war turning decisively against Israel's king. It reflects a shift from contest to overwhelming defeat, suggesting the loss of control and momentum, and hinting at a divinely permitted collapse due to Saul's choices.
- "The archers hit him, and he was sore wounded of the archers": This powerful pairing reveals not just an engagement, but a personal targeting. The initial statement of being "hit" is compounded by the "sore wounded," specifically reiterating the archers as the source of fatal damage. This repeated emphasis on "archers" magnifies their lethal effectiveness and pinpoints the inescapable nature of Saul's fate from specific, focused attacks. The vulnerability of the king is laid bare.
1 Samuel 31 3 Bonus section
This verse implicitly contrasts Saul's initial prowess and victory (e.g., 1 Sam 11) with his ultimate failure. It signals the complete shift of divine favor away from Saul, preparing the narrative for the ascension of David, who trusted in God alone. The emphasis on "archers" can also symbolize swift, decisive judgment that one cannot easily evade, mirroring a divinely ordained retribution. This final, ignominious end of Saul, bleeding and seeking self-termination, powerfully communicates the futility of human strength and kingship divorced from divine wisdom and obedience. It highlights the biblical truth that ultimate authority and success come from God, not from military might or human will alone.
1 Samuel 31 3 Commentary
This verse starkly portrays the desperate end of King Saul's reign, showing not merely a military defeat but the direct consequence of his sustained rebellion against God. The intensity of "the battle went sore against Saul" signifies God's hand in allowing Israel's mighty king to be overwhelmed. The precise impact of "the archers hit him" indicates the immediate and focused nature of his personal doom, while "he was sore wounded of the archers" confirms the debilitating, potentially fatal nature of his injuries, ultimately forcing him to seek an end to his own life in the subsequent verses. This passage stands as a testament to the unyielding principles of divine justice and the dire results of rejecting the Lord's clear commands, showing that even a king anointed by God will face consequences when departing from His path.