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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Samuel 31:9 They cut off Saul's head, stripped off his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim the news in the temples of their idols and among their people.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/31-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/09_1Sa_31_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 31:9 - The Philistines Possess the Towns" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They cut off Saul's head, stripped off his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim the news in the temples of their idols and among their people." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_samuel/31-9.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_samuel/31-9.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_samuel/">1 Samuel</a> > <a href="/1_samuel/31.htm">Chapter 31</a> > Verse 9</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad9.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_samuel/31-8.htm" title="1 Samuel 31:8">◄</a> 1 Samuel 31:9 <a href="/1_samuel/31-10.htm" title="1 Samuel 31:10">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/31.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/31.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />They cut off his head and stripped off his armor, and they sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim the news in the temple of their idols and among their people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/31.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So they cut off Saul’s head and stripped off his armor. Then they proclaimed the good news of Saul’s death in their pagan temple and to the people throughout the land of Philistia.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/31.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />So they cut off his head and stripped off his armor and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines, to carry the good news to the house of their idols and to the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/31.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />They cut off Saul’s head, stripped off his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim the news in the temples of their idols and among their people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/31.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish <i>it in</i> the house of their idols, and among the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/31.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And they cut off his head and stripped off his armor, and sent <i>word</i> throughout the land of the Philistines, to proclaim <i>it in</i> the temple of their idols and among the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/31.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They cut off his head and stripped off his weapons, and sent <i>them</i> throughout the land of the Philistines, to bring the good news to the house of their idols and to the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/31.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They cut off his head and stripped off his weapons, and sent them throughout the land of the Philistines, to carry the good news to the house of their idols and to the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/31.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And they cut off his head, and stripped off his weapons, and sent <i>them</i> throughout the land of the Philistines, to carry the good news to the house of their idols and to the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/31.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then they cut off his head and stripped off his weapons and sent <i>them</i> all around the land of the Philistines, to proclaim the good news to the house of their idols and to the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/31.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So they cut off Saul’s head and stripped off his weapons <i>and</i> armor and sent them throughout the land of the Philistines, to bring the good news to the house of their idols and to the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/31.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They cut off Saul’s head, stripped off his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to spread the good news in the temples of their idols and among the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/31.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They cut off Saul&#8217s head, stripped off his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to spread the good news in the temples of their idols and among the people. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/31.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armor, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to carry the tidings unto the house of their idols, and to the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/31.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to carry the tidings unto the house of their idols, and to the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/31.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They cut off his head and stripped off his armor. Then they sent men throughout Philistine territory to tell the people this good news in their idols' temples.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/31.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They cut off Saul's head, stripped off his armor, and sent messengers with them throughout Philistia to tell the good news to their idols and to their people. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/31.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They cut off his head and stripped him of his weapons. They sent people throughout the territory of the Philistines to report the good news in the temples of their idols and to the people. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/31.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />They cut off Saul?s head, stripped off his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim the news in the temples of their idols and among their people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/31.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They cut off Saul's head and stripped him of his armor. They sent messengers to announce the news in the temple of their idols and among their people throughout the surrounding land of the Philistines.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/31.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They cut off his head, and stripped off his armor, and sent into the land of the Philistines all around, to carry the news to their idols, and to the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/31.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armor, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the house of their idols, and among the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/31.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They cut off his head, stripped off his armor, and sent into the land of the Philistines all around, to carry the news to the house of their idols and to the people. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/31.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and they cut off his head, and strip off his weapons, and send [them] into the land of the surrounding Philistines, to proclaim tidings [in] the house of their idols, and [among] the people;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/31.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and they cut off his head, and strip off his weapons, and send into the land of the Philistines round about, to proclaim tidings in the house of their idols, and among the people;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/31.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will cut off his head, and they will strip off his arms, and send into the land of the rovers round about, to announce good news to the house of their images and to the people.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/31.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they cut off Saul's head, and stripped him of his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the temples of their idols, and among their people. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/31.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And they cut off the head of Saul. And they despoiled him of the armor, and they sent it into the land of the Philistines all around, so that it might be announced in the temples of the idols and among their people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/31.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They cut off Saul’s head and stripped him of his armor; these they sent throughout the land of the Philistines to bring the good news to the temple of their idols and to the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/31.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They cut off his head, stripped off his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to carry the good news to the houses of their idols and to the people.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/31.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And they cut off his head and stripped off his armor, and sent messengers to publish the news in the land of the Philistines and among the people and in the house of their idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/31.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they cut off his head and they stripped his garments and they sent to proclaim the news in the land of the Philistines, and among the people, and in the house of their idols<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/31.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to carry the tidings unto the house of their idols, and to the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/31.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they turned him, and stripped off his armour, and sent it into the land of the Philistines, sending round glad tidings to their idols and to the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/31-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=9075" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/31.htm">The Philistines Possess the Towns</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">8</span>The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. <span class="reftext">9</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3772.htm" title="3772: way·yiḵ·rə·ṯū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To cut off, cut down. A primitive root; to cut; by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant.">They cut off</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: rō·šōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">Saul’s head,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6584.htm" title="6584: way·yap̄·šî·ṭū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To strip off, make a dash, raid. A primitive root; to spread out; by analogy, to strip.">stripped off</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3627.htm" title="3627: kê·lāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- An article, utensil, vessel. From kalah; something prepared, i.e. Any apparatus.">his armor,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: way·šal·lə·ḥū (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">and sent</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: ḇə·’e·reṣ- (Prep-b:: N-fsc) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">messengers throughout the land</a> <a href="/hebrew/6430.htm" title="6430: pə·liš·tîm (N-proper-mp) -- Inhab. of Philistia. Patrial from Plesheth; a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth.">of the Philistines</a> <a href="/hebrew/5439.htm" title="5439: sā·ḇîḇ (Adv) -- Circuit, round about. Or cbiybah; from cabab; a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly around."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1319.htm" title="1319: lə·ḇaś·śêr (Prep-l:: V-Piel-Inf) -- To bear tidings. A primitive root; properly, to be fresh, i.e. Full (figuratively) cheerful); to announce.">to proclaim the news</a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: bêṯ (N-msc) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">in the temples</a> <a href="/hebrew/6091.htm" title="6091: ‘ă·ṣab·bê·hem (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- An idol. From atsab; an image.">of their idols</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">and among their people.</a> </span><span class="reftext">10</span>They put his armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths and hung his body on the wall of Beth-shan.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/10-9.htm">1 Chronicles 10:9</a></span><br />They stripped Saul, cut off his head, took his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim the news in the temple of their idols and among their people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/16-23.htm">Judges 16:23-24</a></span><br />Now the lords of the Philistines gathered together to offer a great sacrifice to their god Dagon. They rejoiced and said, “Our god has delivered Samson our enemy into our hands.” / And when the people saw him, they praised their god, saying: “Our god has delivered into our hands our enemy who destroyed our land and multiplied our dead.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/1-20.htm">2 Samuel 1:20</a></span><br />Tell it not in Gath; proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, and the daughters of the uncircumcised exult.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/4-10.htm">2 Samuel 4:10</a></span><br />when someone told me, ‘Look, Saul is dead,’ and thought he was a bearer of good news, I seized him and put him to death at Ziklag. That was his reward for his news!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/21-12.htm">2 Samuel 21:12</a></span><br />he went and took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the men of Jabesh-gilead, who had stolen them from the public square of Beth-shan where the Philistines had hung the bodies after they had struck down Saul at Gilboa.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/18-6.htm">1 Samuel 18:6-7</a></span><br />As the troops were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs, and with tambourines and other instruments. / And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/17-54.htm">1 Samuel 17:54</a></span><br />David took the head of the Philistine and brought it to Jerusalem, and he put Goliath’s weapons in his own tent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/31-4.htm">1 Samuel 31:4</a></span><br />Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and run me through and torture me!” But his armor-bearer was terrified and refused to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-37.htm">2 Kings 19:37</a></span><br />One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer put him to the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat. And his son Esar-haddon reigned in his place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/37-38.htm">Isaiah 37:38</a></span><br />One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer put him to the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat. And his son Esar-haddon reigned in his place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-27.htm">Matthew 27:27-31</a></span><br />Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company around Him. / They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. / And they twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on His head. They put a staff in His right hand, knelt down before Him, and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/15-16.htm">Mark 15:16-20</a></span><br />Then the soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called the whole company together. / They dressed Him in a purple robe, twisted together a crown of thorns, and set it on His head. / And they began to salute Him: “Hail, King of the Jews!” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/23-11.htm">Luke 23:11</a></span><br />And even Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked Him. Dressing Him in a fine robe, they sent Him back to Pilate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-2.htm">John 19:2-3</a></span><br />The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns, set it on His head, and dressed Him in a purple robe. / And they went up to Him again and again, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and slapping Him in the face.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-21.htm">Acts 13:21-22</a></span><br />Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. / After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armor, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the house of their idols, and among the people.</p><p class="hdg">cut off</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/31-4.htm">1 Samuel 31:4</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/17-51.htm">1 Samuel 17:51,54</a></b></br> Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/10-9.htm">1 Chronicles 10:9,10</a></b></br> And when they had stripped him, they took his head, and his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to carry tidings unto their idols, and to the people… </p><p class="hdg">to publish</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/16-23.htm">Judges 16:23,24</a></b></br> Then the lords of the Philistines gathered them together for to offer a great sacrifice unto Dagon their god, and to rejoice: for they said, Our god hath delivered Samson our enemy into our hand… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/1-20.htm">2 Samuel 1:20</a></b></br> Tell <i>it</i> not in Gath, publish <i>it</i> not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/24-14.htm">Announce</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-6.htm">Armor</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-54.htm">Armour</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-18.htm">Carry</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-9.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-4.htm">Cutting</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-9.htm">Glad</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-13.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/1_samuel/29-10.htm">Good</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-2.htm">Head</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-24.htm">House</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-21.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-42.htm">Messengers</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-1.htm">News</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-8.htm">Philistines</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-27.htm">Proclaim</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-3.htm">Publish</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-7.htm">Round</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-8.htm">Strip</a> <a href="/1_samuel/19-24.htm">Stripped</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-5.htm">Temple</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-23.htm">Throughout</a> <a href="/1_samuel/27-11.htm">Tidings</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-54.htm">War-Dress</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-6.htm">Weapons</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-4.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_samuel/15-28.htm">Announce</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-10.htm">Armor</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-10.htm">Armour</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-20.htm">Carry</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-15.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/2_samuel/4-7.htm">Cutting</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-20.htm">Glad</a> <a href="/2_samuel/7-23.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-6.htm">Good</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-2.htm">Head</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-10.htm">House</a> <a href="/2_samuel/5-21.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-5.htm">Messengers</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-11.htm">News</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-11.htm">Philistines</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-20.htm">Proclaim</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-20.htm">Publish</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-3.htm">Round</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-21.htm">Strip</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-16.htm">Stripped</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-10.htm">Temple</a> <a href="/2_samuel/8-14.htm">Throughout</a> <a href="/2_samuel/4-4.htm">Tidings</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-10.htm">War-Dress</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-10.htm">Weapons</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-4.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 31</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/31-1.htm">Saul, having lost his army, and his sons slain, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/31-4.htm">he and his armor bearer kill themselves.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/31-7.htm">The Philistines possess the forsaken towns of the Israelites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/31-8.htm">They triumph over the dead bodies</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/31-11.htm">They of Jabesh Gilead recovering the dead bodies by night, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/31-12.htm">burn them at Jabesh, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/31-13.htm">and mournfully bury their bodies.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/31.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/31.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>They cut off Saul’s head</b><br>The act of decapitating a defeated enemy was a common practice in ancient warfare, symbolizing total victory and humiliation of the vanquished. This mirrors the earlier event in <a href="/1_samuel/17-51.htm">1 Samuel 17:51</a>, where David cut off Goliath's head, signifying triumph over the Philistines. The beheading of Saul, Israel's first king, marks a tragic end to his reign and serves as a stark contrast to the earlier victory over Goliath.<p><b>stripped off his armor</b><br>Removing Saul's armor was not only a practical act of taking spoils of war but also a symbolic gesture of stripping away his royal and military authority. Armor in biblical times was a sign of strength and protection, and its removal indicated Saul's vulnerability and defeat. This act also recalls David's refusal to wear Saul's armor in <a href="/1_samuel/17-38.htm">1 Samuel 17:38-39</a>, highlighting the difference between Saul's reliance on physical protection and David's faith in God.<p><b>and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines</b><br>The Philistines were a significant adversary of Israel, often at war with them throughout the period of the Judges and the early monarchy. By sending messengers, the Philistines sought to spread the news of their victory, boosting their morale and asserting their dominance over Israel. This act of communication underscores the political and military rivalry between the two nations.<p><b>to proclaim the news in the temples of their idols</b><br>The Philistines' proclamation in their temples indicates the religious dimension of their victory. They attributed their success to their gods, such as Dagon, whom they believed had triumphed over the God of Israel. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern belief that military victories were also victories of one deity over another. The desecration of Saul's body in their temples contrasts with the reverence shown to the Ark of the Covenant, which had previously caused distress in Philistine territory (1 Samuel 5).<p><b>and among their people</b><br>By spreading the news among their people, the Philistines aimed to unify and encourage their nation, celebrating their triumph over Israel. This public announcement served to reinforce their cultural identity and pride, while simultaneously demoralizing the Israelites. The dissemination of such news would have been a powerful tool in maintaining Philistine hegemony in the region.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a></b><br>The first king of Israel, whose tragic end is described in this chapter. His death marks a significant turning point in Israel's history.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/philistines.htm">Philistines</a></b><br>A perennial enemy of Israel, known for their military prowess and pagan practices. They play a central role in the events of this chapter.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_gilboa.htm">Mount Gilboa</a></b><br>The location where Saul and his sons fell in battle against the Philistines, leading to the events described in this verse.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/temple_of_their_idols.htm">Temple of their idols</a></b><br>Refers to the places of worship for the Philistine gods, where they celebrated their victory over Saul and Israel.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/messengers.htm">Messengers</a></b><br>Individuals sent by the Philistines to spread the news of their victory, highlighting the shame and defeat of Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>Saul's tragic end serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's commands. His life illustrates the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_spiritual_warfare.htm">The Reality of Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>The Philistines' celebration in their temples underscores the spiritual dimension of Israel's battles. Believers today must recognize the ongoing spiritual warfare and remain vigilant in their faith.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_godly_leadership.htm">The Importance of Godly Leadership</a></b><br>Saul's failure as a leader highlights the need for leaders who seek God's guidance and prioritize His will. This is a call for both leaders and followers to pursue godliness in all aspects of life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_humility_and_repentance.htm">The Power of Humility and Repentance</a></b><br>While Saul's account ends in defeat, it contrasts with the potential for redemption through humility and repentance, as seen in other biblical figures like David.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_sovereignty_of_god.htm">The Sovereignty of God</a></b><br>Despite the apparent victory of the Philistines, God's sovereign plan continues to unfold. Believers can trust that God is in control, even in times of apparent defeat.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_31.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 31</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_1_sam_31_and_1_chr_10_align.htm">How does 1 Samuel 31’s account of Saul’s death align with 1 Chronicles 10:13–14, which portrays his demise as divine judgment?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_1_sam_9_22-24_be_archaeologically_verified.htm">Can the events in 1 Samuel 9:22-24, where Saul is given an honored portion of meat, be verified by any archaeological or external ancient Near Eastern sources supporting such practices?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_the_conflict_on_who_attacked_philistines.htm">Why does 1 Samuel 13:3-4 give conflicting impressions of who actually attacked the Philistine garrison, Jonathan or Saul?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_1_samuel_9_1-2_call_saul_'mighty'.htm">How can 1 Samuel 9:1-2 claim Saul was from a 'mighty' or 'wealthy' family when some extrabiblical historical records do not corroborate this social status?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/31.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(9) <span class= "bld">And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour.</span>--Only <span class= "ital">Saul's </span>head and armour is mentioned here, but on comparing <a href="/1_samuel/31-12.htm" title="All the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Bethshan, and came to Jabesh, and burnt them there.">1Samuel 31:12</a>, where the bodies of his sons are especially mentioned, it is clear that this act was not confined to the person of the king. The sense of the passage there is, the heads of the king and his three sons were cut off, and their armour stripped from their bodies. The heads and armour were sent as trophies round about the different towns and villages of Philistia, and the headless corpses were fastened to the wall of the city of Beth-shan.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/31.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 9, 10.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">They cut off his head.</span> This was probably done not simply in retaliation for what had happened to their champion Goliath, but in accordance with the customs of ancient warfare. The fierce joy of the Philistines over the fallen Saul proves how great had been their fear of him, and how successful he had been in breaking their yoke off Israel's neck. Had he still had David with him the victory would assuredly have remained on his side. <span class="cmt_word">They put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth.</span> Hebrew, "of the Ashtaroth." Whether it was divided among the various shrines of Astarte, or whether it was all placed in her famous temple at Askelon, described by Herodotus (1:105) as the most ancient of the fanes of the Syrian Venus, is uncertain. The former view agrees best with the Hebrew text and with what is said in <a href="/1_chronicles/10-10.htm">1 Chronicles 10:10</a>, where we have the additional information that they suspended Saul's head in the temple of Dagon. <span class="cmt_word">They fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan, as also the bodies of his sons</span> (ver. 12). Beth-shan or Scythopolis lies about four miles from the Jordan on the west, and twelve miles south of the lake of Tiberias. It is almost in a straight line to the west of Mahanaim, and must have been at once occupied by the Philistines, and as they hung the bodies of the fallen king and his sons on its wall, they evidently intended to retain it. RECOVERY OF THE BODIES OF SAUL AND HIS SONS (vers. 11-13). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/31-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">They cut off</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיִּכְרְתוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiḵ·rə·ṯū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3772.htm">Strong's 3772: </a> </span><span class="str2">To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Saul’s head,</span><br /><span class="heb">רֹאשׁ֔וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(rō·šōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> </span><span class="str2">The head</span><br /><br /><span class="word">stripped off</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּפְשִׁ֖יטוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yap̄·šî·ṭū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6584.htm">Strong's 6584: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strip off, make a dash, raid</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his armor,</span><br /><span class="heb">כֵּלָ֑יו</span> <span class="translit">(kê·lāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3627.htm">Strong's 3627: </a> </span><span class="str2">Something prepared, any apparatus</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and sent</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְשַׁלְּח֨וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·šal·lə·ḥū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> </span><span class="str2">To send away, for, out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">messengers throughout the land</span><br /><span class="heb">בְאֶֽרֶץ־</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·’e·reṣ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> </span><span class="str2">Earth, land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the Philistines</span><br /><span class="heb">פְּלִשְׁתִּ֜ים</span> <span class="translit">(pə·liš·tîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6430.htm">Strong's 6430: </a> </span><span class="str2">Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to proclaim the news</span><br /><span class="heb">לְבַשֵּׂ֛ר</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḇaś·śêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1319.htm">Strong's 1319: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be fresh, full, cheerful), to announce</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the temples</span><br /><span class="heb">בֵּ֥ית</span> <span class="translit">(bêṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> </span><span class="str2">A house</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of their idols</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲצַבֵּיהֶ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·ṣab·bê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6091.htm">Strong's 6091: </a> </span><span class="str2">An, image</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and among their people.</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/31-9.htm">1 Samuel 31:9 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/31-9.htm">1 Samuel 31:9 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/31-9.htm">1 Samuel 31:9 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/31-9.htm">1 Samuel 31:9 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/31-9.htm">1 Samuel 31:9 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/31-9.htm">1 Samuel 31:9 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/31-9.htm">1 Samuel 31:9 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/31-9.htm">1 Samuel 31:9 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/31-9.htm">1 Samuel 31:9 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/31-9.htm">1 Samuel 31:9 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/31-9.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 31:9 They cut off his head and stripped (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/31-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 31:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 31:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/31-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 31:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 31:10" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>