1 Samuel 31 4

1 Samuel 31:4 kjv

Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.

1 Samuel 31:4 nkjv

Then Saul said to his armorbearer, "Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised men come and thrust me through and abuse me." But his armorbearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword and fell on it.

1 Samuel 31:4 niv

Saul said to his armor-bearer, "Draw your sword and run me through, or these uncircumcised fellows will come and run me through and abuse me." But his armor-bearer was terrified and would not do it; so Saul took his own sword and fell on it.

1 Samuel 31:4 esv

Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, "Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and mistreat me." But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it.

1 Samuel 31:4 nlt

Saul groaned to his armor bearer, "Take your sword and kill me before these pagan Philistines come to run me through and taunt and torture me." But his armor bearer was afraid and would not do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it.

1 Samuel 31 verses

1 Samuel 31 4 Meaning

1 Samuel 31:4 describes King Saul's desperate command to his armourbearer to kill him with a sword. Saul feared falling alive into the hands of the uncircumcised Philistines, who would subject him to torture, mutilation, and profound abuse. However, his armourbearer refused due to extreme fear, leaving Saul to take his own life shortly after. This verse marks a tragic moment in the decline of Israel's first king.

1 Samuel 31 4 Context

1 Samuel chapter 31 describes the final battle between the Israelites and the Philistines on Mount Gilboa. It marks the tragic end of King Saul's reign and his life. Leading up to this verse, Saul's army has been routed, his sons (including Jonathan) have been killed, and Saul himself has been gravely wounded by Philistine archers. The fear of being captured alive by the enemy, particularly the "uncircumcised" Philistines who were known for desecrating and publicly humiliating their fallen foes, propelled Saul to seek a quick, self-determined death rather than enduring such ignominy. His demand reflects the high value placed on honour and dignity in ancient cultures, where being disgraced in battle was often considered a fate worse than death itself.

1 Samuel 31 4 Word analysis

• Then said Saul: Highlights Saul's final exertion of kingly authority, albeit in extreme desperation.
• unto his armourbearer: Refers to nāśā' kelî (Hebrew: נֹשֵׂא כְלִי), meaning "bearer of equipment." This individual was typically a young, trusted attendant, often closely accompanying the king or commander in battle, handling weapons and shields. Their close proximity suggests intimacy and trust, making the command even more personal.
• Draw thy sword: A direct, urgent command, emphasizing the need for immediate action and the critical nature of the situation.
• and thrust me through therewith: The Hebrew word dâqar (דָּקַר) means to pierce or thrust through, indicating a fatal blow. Saul desires a swift and decisive end.
• lest these uncircumcised come: The term "uncircumcised" (Hebrew: ‘ărēlîm - עֲרֵלִים) is a derogatory reference to the Philistines, emphasizing their pagan status and their not being in covenant with the God of Israel. It underscores the profound contempt and theological distinction Israelites held for them. The fear of capture by such an enemy was not merely personal but also about the desecration of the king of Israel and, by extension, the name of Israel's God.
• and thrust me through, and abuse me: The repeated "thrust me through" (dâqar) underscores the inevitable and painful death he foresees. The word "abuse" (Hebrew: ‘ālal - עָלַל) means to deal wantonly with, to mistreat, or to torment. This implies severe physical torture, mutilation, or public degradation—a common practice for ancient conquerors to further humiliate defeated enemies and discourage resistance. For Saul, Israel's anointed king, this public defilement would be the ultimate disgrace.
• But his armourbearer would not: A direct refusal, signifying a moral or fear-driven barrier to obeying the king's command. This refusal is crucial to the narrative.
• for he was sore afraid: The phrase yārē' mĕ’ōd (ירא מאד) indicates profound, overwhelming fear. The armourbearer's fear likely stemmed from multiple sources: fear of incurring God's wrath for killing His anointed king, fear of the cultural and legal repercussions for regicide, or simply the natural revulsion to taking such an intimate life, especially that of his master. His fear overcame his duty to obey.

1 Samuel 31 4 Bonus section

The armourbearer's refusal to "stretch forth his hand against the LORD's anointed" subtly foreshadows David's principled refusal to harm Saul even when given opportunity (1 Sam 24, 26), further highlighting the armourbearer's perhaps divinely inspired, or at least morally upright, hesitation. While Saul's choice of suicide can be viewed as an act of pagan honour culture, it reflects his deep internal crisis and final attempts to retain control and dignity amidst the catastrophic failure of his kingdom. This incident from 1 Samuel is crucial in understanding the complex accounts of Saul's death, distinguishing the direct narrative from later embellished or self-serving claims like that of the Amalekite in 2 Samuel 1.

1 Samuel 31 4 Commentary

1 Samuel 31:4 starkly illustrates the tragic end of King Saul, whose final moments are consumed by desperation and an overwhelming fear of ignominy. Mortally wounded and abandoned, his primary concern shifts from the battle to avoiding the unspeakable disgrace of falling into the hands of the Philistines. The cultural context illuminates his choice: capture by an "uncircumcised" foe meant public mockery, torture, and mutilation—a fate considered worse than death for a king. His demand for assisted suicide, though culturally understood within the framework of honor-shame societies, starkly contrasts with divine prerogative over life and death. The armourbearer's refusal, born of profound fear, likely stemmed from reverence for God's anointed or the grave implications of taking the king's life. This verse serves as a potent reminder of the grim consequences of a reign increasingly detached from divine guidance, culminating in a despairing and self-inflicted demise.