1 Samuel 31 8

1 Samuel 31:8 kjv

And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen in mount Gilboa.

1 Samuel 31:8 nkjv

So it happened the next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa.

1 Samuel 31:8 niv

The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa.

1 Samuel 31:8 esv

The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa.

1 Samuel 31:8 nlt

The next day, when the Philistines went out to strip the dead, they found the bodies of Saul and his three sons on Mount Gilboa.

1 Samuel 31 verses

1 Samuel 31 8 Meaning

This verse describes the immediate aftermath of the devastating battle on Mount Gilboa, specifically detailing how the Philistines discovered King Saul and three of his sons (Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua) among the Israelite fallen. The Philistines arrived to strip valuables, weapons, and armor from the dead, a common practice of ancient warfare to despoil the defeated. This discovery signifies the complete and humiliating defeat of Israel and the catastrophic end of Saul's reign, confirming the extent of the Philistine victory and Israel's tragic loss.

1 Samuel 31 8 Context

1 Samuel 31 marks the climax of Saul's tragic reign. The chapter opens with a fierce battle between the Israelites and the Philistines on Mount Gilboa, following months of conflict and Saul's deepening spiritual decline due to disobedience. Saul had already consulted a medium at Endor (chapter 28) out of desperation, receiving a grim prophecy from the resurrected Samuel about his impending defeat and death, along with his sons. Verses 1-6 of chapter 31 recount the battle itself, where Israel flees, Saul's sons are killed, and Saul, gravely wounded, falls on his own sword rather than be captured and humiliated by the Philistines. Verse 7 describes the fear among the Israelite population in the valleys, leading them to abandon their towns, which the Philistines subsequently occupy. Verse 8, therefore, sets the scene for the ultimate humiliation of the defeated kingdom, where the victorious Philistines arrive to claim their spoils and, in doing so, discover the extent of their triumph, finding the bodies of Israel's king and his royal heirs among the anonymous dead on the battlefield. The following verses (9-10) further detail the Philistines' public desecration of Saul's body and armor as a victory display.

1 Samuel 31 8 Word analysis

• And it came to pass: A common Hebrew literary device (וַיְהִי - vayhi) signifying a transition in the narrative, introducing the next significant event in chronological order. It highlights the inevitable progression of events following the battle.

• on the morrow: מִמָּחֳרָת (mimmachorat). This denotes the very next day after the battle. It indicates a systematic post-battle procedure by the Philistines, not a hasty rush. The immediacy underscores the freshness of the defeat and the vulnerability of the fallen.

• when the Philistines: פְּלִשְׁתִּים (pəlishtim). The perennial enemies of Israel, who often served as God's instrument of judgment against disobedient Israel. Their presence as victors and despoilers underscores Israel's catastrophic defeat under Saul.

• came to strip: לְהַפְשִׁיט (l'hafpshit). From the root פָּשַׁט (pashat), meaning "to strip off," "to despoil." This action was standard practice in ancient warfare for victorious armies to collect armor, weapons, and valuables from the vanquished. For the Philistines, it was both an economic act and a demonstration of complete dominance.

• the slain: הַחֲלָלִים (ha'ḥalālīm). Refers to the "dead," "wounded," or "slain ones." These were the bodies left on the battlefield. The term itself is general, highlighting the indignity that even a king would be counted among them.

• that they found: וַיִּמְצְאוּ (vayyim'tzu). This verb "found" implies a discovery that might have been unexpected in its significance—they found not just any slain, but the most important figures. It confirms the full extent of the Philistine victory.

• Saul: שָׁאוּל (Sha'ul). The first king of Israel, divinely chosen but later rejected due to his disobedience. His defeat and death are the tragic culmination of his rebellious reign. His presence among the stripped bodies emphasizes the complete fall from his once anointed status.

• and his three sons: וּשְׁלֹשֶׁת בָּנָיו (u'shloshet banayv). Specifically refers to Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua (cf. 1 Sam 31:2). The death of his sons, especially the beloved Jonathan, signifies the dynastic destruction of Saul's house, preventing any immediate succession through his direct heirs. This total loss of leadership amplifies Israel's devastation.

• fallen: נֹפְלִים (noflim). The present participle form indicates they were "lying fallen" or "having fallen." This term denotes their status as dead on the battlefield, helpless and defeated.

• on Mount Gilboa: הַגִּלְבֹּעַ (hag-Gilboa'). The specific geographical location of the battle. It became synonymous with this national tragedy and disgrace for Israel, later lamented by David (2 Sam 1:21). The rugged terrain of Gilboa suggests the difficulty and decisiveness of the battle.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "came to strip the slain": This phrase immediately signals the victor's prerogative and the custom of ancient warfare. It sets up the impending revelation by showing the Philistines were meticulously processing the battlefield. The implication is an impersonal treatment of the dead, reinforcing the Philistine's control.
  • "they found Saul and his three sons fallen": This discovery is the heart of the verse. It transforms a general act of battlefield scavenging into a momentous historical event. The emphasis on "Saul and his three sons" highlights the annihilation of Israel's reigning house, ensuring there was no immediate continuation of the kingship through his direct line. This wasn't just a tactical victory; it was a devastating blow to Israel's monarchy.

1 Samuel 31 8 Bonus section

The treatment of Saul's body in this verse, and especially the subsequent verses (1 Sam 31:9-10), serves as a direct polemic against the Philistine gods and a commentary on Saul's abandonment of YHWH. By placing Saul's armor in the temple of Ashtaroth and displaying his head in Dagon's temple (implicitly mentioned for their triumph rituals in 1 Sam 31:9), the Philistines were attributing their victory to their deities, not merely their military prowess. This act, common in ancient Near Eastern warfare, challenged YHWH's sovereignty. However, from the Israelite perspective, Saul's defeat was ultimately orchestrated by YHWH, who had forsaken Saul, allowing this very humiliation to unfold as judgment for his unfaithfulness (1 Chr 10:13-14). Thus, the Philistines' "triumph" was, paradoxically, part of YHWH's divine plan to transition kingship from Saul to David. The tragic scene on Gilboa, including the stripping of the slain, highlights the painful process of divine discipline.

1 Samuel 31 8 Commentary

1 Samuel 31:8 is a stark and somber testament to the catastrophic end of King Saul's reign and Israel's humbling defeat at the hands of the Philistines. The Philistines' practice of stripping the slain was not unusual for ancient warfare; it was a way to claim spoils, equip their own army, and utterly humiliate the defeated enemy. However, their discovery of Saul and three of his sons (Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua) among the countless fallen elevates this verse to profound significance. It symbolizes the complete collapse of Israel's military might and political structure under its first king.

The meticulous "stripping of the slain" on "the morrow" demonstrates the thoroughness of the Philistine victory; they were in complete control of the battlefield and could take their time to confirm the scale of their triumph. The finding of Saul, who was divinely appointed but later rejected by God for his disobedience, lying dead among the common soldiers, signifies divine judgment. His tragic demise, and that of his princely heirs, underscored that disobedience to God carries severe, even ultimate, consequences for both individuals and the nation they lead. This humiliation paved the way for the ascension of David, a man after God's own heart, reflecting God's ultimate control over earthly kingdoms and His unwavering faithfulness to His plan.