1 Samuel 31 7

1 Samuel 31:7 kjv

And when the men of Israel that were on the other side of the valley, and they that were on the other side Jordan, saw that the men of Israel fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.

1 Samuel 31:7 nkjv

And when the men of Israel who were on the other side of the valley, and those who were on the other side of the Jordan, saw that the men of Israel had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.

1 Samuel 31:7 niv

When the Israelites along the valley and those across the Jordan saw that the Israelite army had fled and that Saul and his sons had died, they abandoned their towns and fled. And the Philistines came and occupied them.

1 Samuel 31:7 esv

And when the men of Israel who were on the other side of the valley and those beyond the Jordan saw that the men of Israel had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and fled. And the Philistines came and lived in them.

1 Samuel 31:7 nlt

When the Israelites on the other side of the Jezreel Valley and beyond the Jordan saw that the Israelite army had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their towns and fled. So the Philistines moved in and occupied their towns.

1 Samuel 31 verses

1 Samuel 31 7 Meaning

This verse describes the widespread panic among the Israelite population located both west of the Jezreel Valley and east of the Jordan River. Upon learning of the catastrophic defeat and the death of King Saul and his sons, these Israelites abandoned their cities in fear. Consequently, the Philistines swiftly occupied these vacated cities, asserting their dominance and territorial control following their decisive victory. The verse vividly portrays the immediate and profound societal collapse and despair gripping Israel after the death of their king.

1 Samuel 31 7 Context

This verse appears at the conclusion of 1 Samuel chapter 31, immediately after the dramatic account of King Saul's death on Mount Gilboa, alongside his three sons (Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua), during a decisive battle against the Philistines. The preceding verses (31:1-6) detail the intensity of the Philistine attack, Saul's severe wounding, and his ultimate choice of suicide rather than capture and humiliation by the uncircumcised Philistines. The context vividly illustrates a moment of profound national catastrophe and leadership vacuum for Israel.

Historically, this period marks a low point for the nascent Israelite monarchy established under Saul. The Jezreel Valley was a crucial strategic passageway, and the Philistine victory at Gilboa not only secured this vital area but also opened up the northern territories of Israel to Philistine incursions. The fear of the Philistines, compounded by the loss of their king, led to the immediate and widespread abandonment of cities, allowing the Philistines to cement their territorial gains and effectively fragment Israel. This set the bleak stage for David's ascendance and his eventual efforts to unite and deliver Israel from Philistine oppression, making Saul's death not just the end of a king, but a major turning point in Israelite history.

1 Samuel 31 7 Word analysis

• And when: This conjunction links the observation of the defeat and deaths directly to the consequence of widespread flight. It signals an immediate and direct cause-and-effect relationship.
• the men of Israel: This refers not specifically to the army or warriors, but broadly to the male inhabitants or the population as a whole. It emphasizes that the panic extended beyond the battlefield to the general populace.
• that were on the other side of the valley: This likely refers to Israelites living in the Jezreel Valley and areas to its west, perhaps seeing the rout or hearing the news quickly. The "valley" (``emeq`, עֵמֶק) refers to the expansive Jezreel Valley, a critical plain separating northern and central Israel, significant for travel and battle. The geographical reference underscores the proximity to the battle and the visible effects of the defeat.
• and they that were on the other side Jordan: This designates Israelites residing in Transjordan (the region east of the Jordan River), highlighting the extensive reach of the panic and the perceived threat. `Yarden` (יַרְדֵּן) refers to the Jordan River. The fact that panic spread even to this region, separated by a natural barrier, demonstrates the totality of the military collapse and the breakdown of central authority.
• saw that: Indicates direct observation or swift, convincing reports. The sight or news confirmed the extent of the disaster.
• the men of Israel fled: `nus` (נוּס) in Hebrew, meaning to "flee" or "escape." This signifies immediate and desperate flight, not an orderly retreat, indicating utter panic and demoralization. Their fear was overwhelming, leading them to prioritize personal survival over defending their homes.
• and that Saul and his sons were dead: This is the primary catalyst for their flight. The demise of the king and his royal heirs meant the immediate collapse of central leadership, military command, and the visible symbol of their nation's strength. This created a profound power vacuum and profound despair.
• they forsook the cities: `azav` (עָזַב) in Hebrew, meaning to "leave," "abandon," or "desert." This act shows complete surrender of their dwelling places, indicating that they saw no hope of resistance or protection from the approaching Philistines. This wasn't a strategic withdrawal but an act of desperation.
• and fled: Repetition of the act of fleeing, underscoring the intensity and widespread nature of the exodus.
• and the Philistines came and dwelt in them: `yashav` (יָשַׁב) in Hebrew, meaning to "sit," "dwell," or "inhabit." This phrase describes the swift and complete Philistine occupation of the vacated Israelite cities. They established permanent control, capitalizing on Israel's disarray, signaling the immediate benefit of their military victory and their intent to solidify their territorial gains.Words-group analysis:
  • "the men of Israel... saw that... fled": This sequence illustrates the swift observation of the collapse, leading to immediate flight. The ordinary populace witnessed the disintegration of their army and leader, which prompted their own desperate measures. It implies a chain reaction of fear.
  • "on the other side of the valley, and they that were on the other side Jordan": This emphasizes the vast geographical scope of the panic. The fear was not localized but affected both central and Transjordanian Israel, indicating a comprehensive breakdown of order and security across significant parts of the Israelite territory.
  • "Saul and his sons were dead... forsook the cities, and fled": This highlights the immediate connection between the death of the king and the nation's response. The loss of leadership translated directly into societal collapse, leaving the populace vulnerable and prompting mass desertion of their homes rather than a collective defense or mourning. The void of leadership creates utter chaos.
  • "forsook the cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them": This illustrates the direct and tragic consequence of abandonment. The Israelites' retreat immediately created an opening for their enemies to consolidate power. The rapid replacement of Israelite inhabitants with Philistine occupiers symbolizes the reversal of fortune and a return to a state of subjugation reminiscent of the Judges period.

  Commentary

  1 Samuel 31:7 paints a stark picture of national collapse following Saul's tragic demise. It illustrates the profound implications of a king's failure on his people. The immediate flight of the Israelites, from various regions, highlights not merely a military defeat but a total crisis of confidence and leadership. The abandonment of their homes speaks to the depth of their despair and the vacuum left by Saul's ungodly kingship, which had strayed from the LORD. Their fear allowed the Philistines to not only win the battle but to secure territorial control, reversing Israel's earlier gains and fragmenting the nascent kingdom. This verse serves as a sober reminder that security and stability for God's people are not ultimately found in human strength, leadership, or military prowess, but in unwavering obedience and faithful reliance on the LORD. It provides the dark backdrop against which God's chosen deliverer, David, will rise to restore Israel and establish a kingdom founded on God's principles, showing God's overarching sovereignty even in times of national crisis.

  Bonus section

  This verse subtly indicates the profound vulnerability of a kingdom when its divinely-appointed leadership fails to walk in obedience. The scattered response across diverse regions of Israel (west of the valley and Transjordan) highlights the complete lack of unified resistance or coordinated leadership after Saul's death. This widespread fear and abandonment paved the way for severe political and territorial fragmentation of Israel, forcing David, when he later assumed the throne, to engage in a substantial and prolonged effort to re-establish unity, push back Philistine influence, and secure the national borders, thus emphasizing the monumental task before him due to Saul's catastrophic end. The narrative stresses the impact of spiritual condition on national stability and defense.

1 Samuel 31 7 Bonus section

1 Samuel 31 7 Commentary