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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 31:4 Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, "Draw your sword and run it through me, 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/31-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/5/09_1Sa_31_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 31:4 - Saul's Overthrow and Death" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, Draw your sword and run it through me, 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." /><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/31-4.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/31-4.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 4</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="/ad4.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/31-3.htm" title="1 Samuel 31:3">◄</a> 1 Samuel 31:4 <a href="/1_samuel/31-5.htm" title="1 Samuel 31:5">►</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">Verse<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"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/31.htm">New International Version</a> Saul said to his armor-bearer, &#8220Draw your sword and run me through, or these uncircumcised fellows will come and run me through and abuse me.&#8221 But his armor-bearer was terrified and would not do it; so Saul took his own sword and fell on it. <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/31.htm">New Living Translation</a> 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. <a href="/esv/1_samuel/31.htm">English Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/bsb/1_samuel/31.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/31.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/31.htm">New King James Version</a> 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. <a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/31.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword and pierce me through with it, otherwise these uncircumcised Philistines will come and pierce me through, and abuse me.” But his armor bearer was unwilling, because he was very fearful. So Saul took his sword and fell on it. <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/31.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then Saul said to his armor bearer, &#8220Draw your sword and pierce me through with it, otherwise these uncircumcised will come and pierce me through and make sport of me.&#8221 But his armor bearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. So Saul took his sword and fell on it. <a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/31.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword and pierce me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and pierce me through and make sport of me.” But his armor bearer would not, for he was greatly afraid. So Saul took his sword and fell on it. <a href="/lsb/1_samuel/31.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword and pierce me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and pierce me through and abuse me.” But his armor bearer was not willing, for he was greatly afraid. So Saul took his sword and fell on it. <a href="/amp/1_samuel/31.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword and pierce me through with it, otherwise these uncircumcised [Philistines] will come and pierce me through and abuse and mock me.” But his armor bearer would not, because he was terrified [of doing such a thing]. So Saul took his sword and fell on it. <a href="/csb/1_samuel/31.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> 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 would not do it because he was terrified. Then Saul took his sword and fell on it. <a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/31.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, &#8220Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and run me through and torture me.&#8221 But his armor-bearer would not do it because he was terrified. Then Saul took his sword and fell on it. <a href="/asv/1_samuel/31.htm">American Standard Version</a> Then said Saul to his armorbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armorbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took his sword, and fell upon it. <a href="/cev/1_samuel/31.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Saul told the soldier who carried his weapons, "Kill me with your sword! I don't want these worthless Philistines to torture and make fun of me." But the soldier was afraid to kill him. Saul then took out his own sword; he stuck the blade into his stomach, and fell on it. <a href="/erv/1_samuel/31.htm">English Revised Version</a> Then said Saul to 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 his sword, and fell upon it. <a href="/gwt/1_samuel/31.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Saul told his armorbearer, "Draw your sword! Stab me, or these godless men will come, stab me, and make fun of me." But his armorbearer refused because he was terrified. So Saul took the sword and fell on it. <a href="/gnt/1_samuel/31.htm">Good News Translation</a> He said to the young man carrying his weapons, "Draw your sword and kill me, so that these godless Philistines won't gloat over me and kill me." But the young man was too terrified to do it. So Saul took his own sword and threw himself on it. <a href="/isv/1_samuel/31.htm">International Standard Version</a> Saul told his armor bearer, "Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised people will come and run me through and make sport of me." But his armor bearer did not want to do it because he was very frightened, so Saul took the sword and fell on it. <a href="/msb/1_samuel/31.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/1_samuel/31.htm">NET Bible</a> Saul said to his armor bearer, "Draw your sword and stab me with it! Otherwise these uncircumcised people will come, stab me, and torture me." But his armor bearer refused to do it, because he was very afraid. So Saul took his sword and fell on it. <a href="/nheb/1_samuel/31.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> 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 torture me." But his armor bearer would not; for he was terrified. Therefore Saul took his sword, and fell on it. <a href="/wbt/1_samuel/31.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Then said Saul to his armor-bearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through with it; lest these uncircumcised should come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armor-bearer would not; for he was exceedingly afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. <a href="/web/1_samuel/31.htm">World English Bible</a> 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 abuse me!” But his armor bearer would not, for he was terrified. Therefore Saul took his sword and fell on it. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/31.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and Saul says to the bearer of his weapons, “Draw your sword, and pierce me with it, lest they come—these uncircumcised—and have pierced me, and rolled themselves on me”; and the bearer of his weapons has not been willing, for he is greatly afraid, and Saul takes the sword, and falls on it. <a href="/ylt/1_samuel/31.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and Saul saith to the bearer of his weapons, 'Draw thy sword, and pierce me with it, lest they come -- these uncircumcised -- and have pierced me, and rolled themselves on me;' and the bearer of his weapons hath not been willing, for he is greatly afraid, and Saul taketh the sword, and falleth upon it. <a href="/slt/1_samuel/31.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Saul will say to him lifting up his arms, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised shall come and thrust me through and mock upon me. And he lifting up his arms would not, for he will fear greatly; and Saul will take the sword and will fall upon it.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_samuel/31.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Then Saul said to his armourbearer: Draw thy sword, and kill me: lest these uncircumcised come, and slay me, and mock at me. And his armourbearer would not: for he was struck with exceeding great fear. Then Saul took his sword, and fell upon it. <a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/31.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Then Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword and strike me, otherwise these uncircumcised may come and kill me, mocking me.” And his armor bearer was not willing. For he had been struck with an exceedingly great fear. And so, Saul took his own sword, and he fell upon it. <a href="/nabre/1_samuel/31.htm">New American Bible</a> Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through; otherwise these uncircumcised will come and abuse me.” But the armor-bearer, badly frightened, refused, so Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. <a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/31.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and thrust me through with it, so that these uncircumcised may not come and thrust me through, and make sport of me.” But his armor-bearer was unwilling; for he was terrified. So Saul took his own sword and fell upon it.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/31.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Then Saul said to his armorbearer, Draw your sword and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and slay me and abuse me. But his armorbearer would not; for he was exceedingly afraid. Thereupon Saul took his sword and fell upon it. <a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/31.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And Shaul said to the Bearer of his armor: “Draw out your sword and run me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come, for they will kill me and they will disgrace me.” And the Bearer of his armor was not willing, because he was very afraid, and Shaul took his own sword and he fell upon it<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_samuel/31.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> Then said Saul to his armour-bearer: 'Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and make a mock of me.' But his armour-bearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took his sword, and fell upon it. <a href="/sep/1_samuel/31.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Saul said to his armour-bearer, Draw thy sword and pierce me through with it; lest these uncircumcised come and pierce me through, and mock me. But his armour-bearer would not, for he feared greatly: so Saul took his sword and fell upon it. <a href="/parallel/1_samuel/31-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=9013" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/31.htm">Saul's Overthrow and Death</a> …3When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him critically. 4<a href="/hebrew/7586.htm" title="7586: šā·’ūl (N-proper-ms) -- Passive participle of sha'al; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites.">Then Saul</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: lə·nō·śê (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-msc) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">to his armor-bearer,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3627.htm" title="3627: ḵê·lāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- An article, utensil, vessel. From kalah; something prepared, i.e. Any apparatus."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8025.htm" title="8025: šə·lōp̄ (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To draw out or off. A primitive root; to pull out, up or off.">“Draw</a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: ḥar·bə·ḵā (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement.">your sword</a> <a href="/hebrew/1856.htm" title="1856: wə·ḏā·qə·rê·nî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Imp-ms:: 1cs) -- To pierce, pierce through. A primitive root; to stab; by analogy, to starve; figuratively, to revile.">and run it through me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/ḇāh (Prep:: 3fs) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/6435.htm" title="6435: pen- (Conj) -- Lest. From panah; properly, removal; used only adverb as conjunction, lest.">or</a> <a href="/hebrew/428.htm" title="428: hā·’êl·leh (Art:: Pro-cp) -- These. Prolonged from 'el; these or those.">these</a> <a href="/hebrew/6189.htm" title="6189: hā·‘ă·rê·lîm (Art:: Adj-mp) -- Having foreskin (uncircumcised). Rom arel; properly, exposed, i.e. Projecting loose; used only technically, uncircumcised.">uncircumcised men</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: yā·ḇō·w·’ū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">will come</a> <a href="/hebrew/1856.htm" title="1856: ū·ḏə·qā·ru·nî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp:: 1cs2) -- To pierce, pierce through. A primitive root; to stab; by analogy, to starve; figuratively, to revile.">and run me through</a> <a href="/hebrew/5953.htm" title="5953: wə·hiṯ·‘al·lə·lū- (Conj-w:: V-Hitpael-ConjPerf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to effect thoroughly; specifically, to glean; by implication to overdo, i.e. Maltreat, be saucy to, pain, impose.">and torture</a> <a href="/hebrew/ḇî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">me!”</a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: nō·śê (V-Qal-Prtcpl-msc) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">But his armor-bearer</a> <a href="/hebrew/3627.htm" title="3627: ḵê·lāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- An article, utensil, vessel. From kalah; something prepared, i.e. Any apparatus."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3372.htm" title="3372: yā·rê (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten. A primitive root; to fear; morally, to revere; caus. To frighten.">was terrified</a> <a href="/hebrew/3966.htm" title="3966: mə·’ōḏ (Adv) -- Muchness, force, abundance. From the same as 'uwd; properly, vehemence, i.e. vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">and refused</a> <a href="/hebrew/14.htm" title="14: ’ā·ḇāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To be willing, to consent. A primitive root; to breathe after, i.e. to be acquiescent.">to do it.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7586.htm" title="7586: šā·’ūl (N-proper-ms) -- Passive participle of sha'al; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites.">So Saul</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/3947.htm" title="3947: way·yiq·qaḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">took</a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: ha·ḥe·reḇ (Art:: N-fs) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement.">his own sword</a> <a href="/hebrew/5307.htm" title="5307: way·yip·pōl (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall, lie. A primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications.">and fell</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·le·hā (Prep:: 3fs) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on it.</a> 5When his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his own sword and died with him.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/judges/9-54.htm">Judges 9:54</a> He quickly called his armor-bearer, saying, “Draw your sword and kill me, lest they say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’” So Abimelech’s armor-bearer ran his sword through him, and he died. <a href="/2_samuel/1-9.htm">2 Samuel 1:9-10</a> Then he begged me, ‘Stand over me and kill me, for agony has seized me, but my life still lingers.’ / So I stood over him and killed him, because I knew that after he had fallen he could not survive. And I took the crown that was on his head and the band that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord.” <a href="/1_chronicles/10-4.htm">1 Chronicles 10:4</a> Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and torture me!” But his armor-bearer was terrified and refused to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. <a href="/2_samuel/1-6.htm">2 Samuel 1:6-10</a> “I happened to be on Mount Gilboa,” he replied, “and there was Saul, leaning on his spear, with the chariots and the cavalry closing in on him. / When he turned around and saw me, he called out to me, and I answered, ‘Here I am!’ / ‘Who are you?’ he asked. So I told him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’ ... <a href="/2_samuel/17-23.htm">2 Samuel 17:23</a> When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his affairs in order and hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb. <a href="/1_kings/16-18.htm">1 Kings 16:18</a> When Zimri saw that the city was captured, he entered the citadel of the royal palace and burned it down upon himself. So he died <a href="/2_samuel/1-14.htm">2 Samuel 1:14-16</a> So David asked him, “Why were you not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?” / Then David summoned one of the young men and said, “Go, execute him!” So the young man struck him down, and he died. / For David had said to the Amalekite, “Your blood be on your own head because your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I killed the LORD’s anointed.’” <a href="/1_kings/22-34.htm">1 Kings 22:34-35</a> However, a certain man drew his bow without taking special aim, and he struck the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. So the king said to his charioteer, “Turn around and take me out of the battle, for I am badly wounded!” / The battle raged throughout that day, and the king was propped up in his chariot facing the Arameans. And the blood from his wound ran out onto the floor of the chariot, and that evening he died. <a href="/2_samuel/1-21.htm">2 Samuel 1:21</a> O mountains of Gilboa, may you have no dew or rain, no fields yielding offerings of grain. For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, the shield of Saul, no longer anointed with oil. <a href="/2_samuel/21-12.htm">2 Samuel 21:12</a> 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. <a href="/matthew/27-5.htm">Matthew 27:5</a> So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself. <a href="/acts/1-18.htm">Acts 1:18</a> (Now with the reward for his wickedness Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong and burst open in the middle, and all his intestines spilled out. <a href="/judges/16-30.htm">Judges 16:30</a> Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines.” Then he pushed with all his might, and the temple fell on the lords and all the people in it. So in his death he killed more than he had killed in his life. <a href="/2_samuel/1-4.htm">2 Samuel 1:4</a> “What was the outcome?” David asked. “Please tell me.” “The troops fled from the battle,” he replied. “Many of them fell and died. And Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead.” <a href="/2_samuel/4-10.htm">2 Samuel 4:10</a> 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!</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Then said Saul to his armor bearer, Draw your sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armor bearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell on it.Draw<a href="/judges/9-54.htm">Judges 9:54</a> Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.<a href="/1_chronicles/10-4.htm">1 Chronicles 10:4</a> Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.uncircumcised<a href="/1_samuel/14-6.htm">1 Samuel 14:6</a> And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few.<a href="/1_samuel/17-26.htm">1 Samuel 17:26,36</a> And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? … <a href="/2_samuel/1-20.htm">2 Samuel 1:20</a> Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.abuse me.<a href="/2_samuel/1-9.htm">2 Samuel 1:9,10</a> He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me… <a href="/2_samuel/17-23.htm">2 Samuel 17:23</a> And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.<a href="/1_kings/16-27.htm">1 Kings 16:27</a> Now the rest of the acts of Omri which he did, and his might that he shewed, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?a sword.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_peter/4-4.htm">Abuse</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-20.htm">Afraid</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-4.htm">Armor</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-21.htm">Armourbearer</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-7.htm">Bearer</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-38.htm">Draw</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-1.htm">Fell</a> <a href="/genesis/39-17.htm">Mock</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/15-17.htm">Pierce</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-3.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-3.htm">Sore</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-6.htm">Sport</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-13.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-51.htm">Therewith</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-2.htm">Thrust</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-36.htm">Uncircumcised</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_chronicles/10-4.htm">Abuse</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-14.htm">Afraid</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-5.htm">Armor</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-5.htm">Armourbearer</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-5.htm">Bearer</a> <a href="/2_samuel/11-15.htm">Draw</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-5.htm">Fell</a> <a href="/2_kings/19-16.htm">Mock</a> <a href="/2_kings/18-21.htm">Pierce</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-5.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-17.htm">Sore</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-14.htm">Sport</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-5.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-10.htm">Therewith</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-16.htm">Thrust</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-20.htm">Uncircumcised</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 31</div>1. <a href="/1_samuel/31-1.htm">Saul, having lost his army, and his sons slain, </a> 4. <a href="/1_samuel/31-4.htm">he and his armor bearer kill themselves.</a> 7. <a href="/1_samuel/31-7.htm">The Philistines possess the forsaken towns of the Israelites</a> 8. <a href="/1_samuel/31-8.htm">They triumph over the dead bodies</a> 11. <a href="/1_samuel/31-11.htm">They of Jabesh Gilead recovering the dead bodies by night, </a> 12. <a href="/1_samuel/31-12.htm">burn them at Jabesh, </a> 13. <a href="/1_samuel/31-13.htm">and mournfully bury their bodies.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, Saul, the first king of Israel, is in a desperate situation during the battle against the Philistines. The role of an armor-bearer was to carry the king's armor and assist him in battle, indicating a position of trust and loyalty. This moment highlights Saul's vulnerability and the breakdown of his leadership.“Draw your sword and run me through with it, Saul requests his armor-bearer to kill him to avoid capture. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern honor-shame culture, where being captured by enemies was seen as a fate worse than death. Saul's request also shows his fear of humiliation and torture at the hands of the Philistines.or these uncircumcised men will come and run me through and torture me!” The term "uncircumcised" is used to describe the Philistines, emphasizing their status as non-covenant people, contrasting them with the Israelites who were marked by the covenant of circumcision. This highlights the religious and cultural enmity between the two groups. Saul's fear of torture underscores the brutal practices of ancient warfare.But his armor-bearer was terrified and refused to do it. The armor-bearer's refusal can be seen as an act of reverence for the king, as well as fear of the consequences of killing the Lord's anointed. This reflects the deep respect for God's chosen leaders, despite Saul's failures. It also shows the moral dilemma faced by those serving under flawed leadership.So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. Saul's suicide marks a tragic end to his reign, fulfilling Samuel's prophecy of his downfall. This act of self-destruction is a culmination of Saul's disobedience and rejection by God. It contrasts with the hope and redemption found in Jesus Christ, who, unlike Saul, was obedient unto death and brought life through His sacrifice. Saul's death also sets the stage for David's rise to kingship, aligning with God's sovereign plan for Israel.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a> The first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. Saul's reign was marked by initial success but later marred by disobedience to God and a troubled spirit. 2. <a href="/topical/a/armor-bearer.htm">Armor-bearer</a> A young man who served Saul by carrying his armor and assisting him in battle. His refusal to kill Saul highlights his fear and respect for the king. 3. <a href="/topical/p/philistines.htm">Philistines</a> Referred to as "uncircumcised men," they were the enemies of Israel and a constant threat during Saul's reign. Their victory over Saul marks a significant moment in Israel's history. 4. <a href="/topical/m/mount_gilboa.htm">Mount Gilboa</a> The location of the battle where Saul and his sons were defeated by the Philistines, leading to Saul's death. 5. <a href="/topical/s/suicide_of_saul.htm">Suicide of Saul</a> A tragic end to Saul's life, reflecting his despair and the culmination of his disobedience to God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a> Saul's life serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of disobedience to God. His failure to follow God's commands led to his downfall and ultimate despair. <a href="/topical/t/the_fear_of_man_vs._the_fear_of_god.htm">The Fear of Man vs. the Fear of God</a> Saul's fear of the Philistines and his concern for his own dignity led him to take his own life. This highlights the importance of fearing God above all else. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_despair_in_decision-making.htm">The Role of Despair in Decision-Making</a> Saul's suicide reflects a moment of utter despair. It is crucial to seek God in times of distress rather than making irreversible decisions based on fear and hopelessness. <a href="/topical/r/respect_for_god's_anointed.htm">Respect for God's Anointed</a> The armor-bearer's refusal to kill Saul, despite his fear, shows a respect for God's anointed. This respect is echoed in David's later actions and words. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_godly_leadership.htm">The Importance of Godly Leadership</a> Saul's failure as a leader underscores the need for leaders who are obedient to God and who seek His guidance in all things.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_31.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 31</a> <a href="/q/christian_view_on_suicide.htm">What is the Christian perspective on suicide?</a> <a href="/q/did_saul_and_his_armorbearer_die_by_suicide.htm">How plausible is it that both Saul and his armorbearer died by their own swords in rapid succession (1 Samuel 31:4–5)? </a> <a href="/q/how_did_king_saul_die.htm">How did King Saul die? (1 Samuel 31:4-6 vs. 2 Samuel 1:8-10)</a> <a href="/q/how_is_saul's_death_explained_differently.htm">2 Samuel 1:1–10: How can Saul’s death be attributed to both his own sword (1 Samuel 31) and an Amalekite’s actions without contradiction? </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>(4) His armourbearer.--Jewish tradition tells us that this faithful armourbearer was Doeg, the Edomite, and that the sword which Saul took apparently from the hand of the armourbearer was the sword with which Doeg had massacred the priests at Gibeon and at Nob.Lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me.--"Even in Saul's dying speech there is something of that religious formalism which marked his character after his fall from God, and which is a striking sign of spiritual blindness. He censures the Philistines as 'uncircumcised.'"--Wordsworth.Saul had a strong consciousness of the sacredness of his person as the Lord's anointed; as it has been well said of him, no descendant of a long line of so-styled Christian or Catholic sovereigns has held a loftier claim of personal inviolability.And abuse me.--He remembered how these same Philistines in former years had treated the hero Samson when he fell into their hands.His armourbearer would not.--Love and devotion to his master we can well imagine stayed his hand from carrying out his fallen master's last terrible command. If the armourbearer--as the Jewish tradition above referred to asserts--was indeed Doeg the Edomite, the two, the king and his confidential officer, had been fast friends for years. Some dread of the after consequences, too, may have weighed with the royal armour-bearer, as he was to a certain extent responsible for the king's life. What possibly he dreaded actually came to pass in the case of the Amalekite who told David that he was the one who inflicted the fatal stroke when the king was dying; as a guerdon for his act, David had him at once put to death for having put forth his hand to destroy the Lord's anointed.A sword.--It was a heavy weapon, a war sword, answering to the great epee d'armes of the Middle Ages. This he took from the reluctant hands of his faithful follower, and placing the hilt firmly on the ground, he threw the weight of his body on the point.In <a href="/context/2_samuel/1-6.htm" title="And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance on mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned on his spear; and, see, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.">2Samuel 1:6-10</a> we have another account of the death. There an Amalekite bearing the royal insignia of the late king, the crown royal and the well-known bracelet of Saul, comes to David at Ziklag after the fatal fight, and recounts how, finding the king leaning on his spear--possibly, as Bunsen supposes, "lying on the ground propping his weary head with the nervously-clutched spear," exhausted and seized with "cramp" (this is the Rabbinical translation of the word rendered "anguish"), at his urgent request, slew him. Most commentators--for instance, Kiel, Lange, Bishop Hervey, &c.--regard the Amalekite's story as an invention framed to extract a rich gift from David, who, the savage Arab thought, would be rejoiced to hear of his great enemy's fall. If this be so, then we must suppose that the Amalekite wandering over the field of battle strewn with the slain on the night which succeeded the battle, came upon the body of Saul, and, attracted by the glitter of the golden ornaments, stripped off the precious insignia, and hastened with his lying story to David. Ewald, however, sees no reason to doubt the trustworthiness of the Amalekite's story; in fact, the two accounts may well be harmonised. Stanley graphically paints the scene after he had fallen on his sword, and his faithful armourbearer had in despairing sorrow killed himself also. "His armourbearer lies dead beside him; on his head the royal crown, on his arm the royal bracelet; . . . the huge spear is still in his hand; he is leaning peacefully on it. He has received his death-blow either from the enemy (<a href="/1_samuel/31-3.htm" title="And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers.">1Samuel 31:3</a>), or from his own sword (<a href="/1_samuel/31-4.htm" title="Then said Saul to his armor bearer, Draw your sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armor bearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell on it.">1Samuel 31:4</a>). The dizziness and darkness of death is upon him. At that moment a wild Amalekite, lured probably to the field by the hope of spoil, came up and finished the work which the arrows of the Philistines and the sword of Saul himself had all but accomplished."--Jewish Church, Lect. 21. The words of the next verse (5) do not contradict this possible explanation. The armourbearer, seeing the king pierced with the arrows and then falling on his own sword, may well have imagined his master dead, and so put an end to his own life. But Saul, though mortally wounded, may have rallied again for a brief space; in that brief space the Amalekite may have come up and finished the bloody work; then, after the king was dead, he probably stripped the royal insignia from the lifeless corpse. . . . <a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/31-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Then Saul שָׁאוּל֩ (šā·’ūl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7586.htm">Strong's 7586: </a> Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites said וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say to his armor-bearer, לְנֹשֵׂ֨א (lə·nō·śê) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> To lift, carry, take “Draw שְׁלֹ֥ף (šə·lōp̄) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8025.htm">Strong's 8025: </a> To pull out, up, off your sword חַרְבְּךָ֣ ׀ (ḥar·bə·ḵā) Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword and run it through me, וְדָקְרֵ֣נִי (wə·ḏā·qə·rê·nî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1856.htm">Strong's 1856: </a> To stab, to starve, to revile or פֶּן־ (pen-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6435.htm">Strong's 6435: </a> Removal, lest these הָאֵ֤לֶּה (hā·’êl·leh) Article | Pronoun - common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_428.htm">Strong's 428: </a> These, those uncircumcised men הָעֲרֵלִ֨ים (hā·‘ă·rê·lîm) Article | Adjective - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6189.htm">Strong's 6189: </a> Having foreskin (uncircumcised) will come יָ֠בוֹאוּ (yā·ḇō·w·’ū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go and run me through וּדְקָרֻ֙נִי֙ (ū·ḏə·qā·ru·nî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1856.htm">Strong's 1856: </a> To stab, to starve, to revile and torture וְהִתְעַלְּלוּ־ (wə·hiṯ·‘al·lə·lū-) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5953.htm">Strong's 5953: </a> To effect thoroughly, to glean, to overdo, maltreat, be saucy to, pain, impose me!” בִ֔י (ḇî) Preposition | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> But the armor-bearer נֹשֵׂ֣א (nō·śê) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> To lift, carry, take refused, אָבָה֙ (’ā·ḇāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_14.htm">Strong's 14: </a> To breathe after, to be acquiescent because כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction he was terrified. יָרֵ֖א (yā·rê) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3372.htm">Strong's 3372: </a> To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten So Saul שָׁאוּל֙ (šā·’ūl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7586.htm">Strong's 7586: </a> Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites took וַיִּקַּ֤ח (way·yiq·qaḥ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> To take his own sword הַחֶ֔רֶב (ha·ḥe·reḇ) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword and fell וַיִּפֹּ֖ל (way·yip·pōl) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5307.htm">Strong's 5307: </a> To fall, lie on it. עָלֶֽיהָ׃ (‘ā·le·hā) Preposition | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/31-4.htm">1 Samuel 31:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/31-4.htm">1 Samuel 31:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_samuel/31-4.htm">1 Samuel 31:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/31-4.htm">1 Samuel 31:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/31-4.htm">1 Samuel 31:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/31-4.htm">1 Samuel 31:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/31-4.htm">1 Samuel 31:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/31-4.htm">1 Samuel 31:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/31-4.htm">1 Samuel 31:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_samuel/31-4.htm">1 Samuel 31:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-4.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 31:4 Then said Saul to his armor bearer (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/31-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 31:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 31:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/31-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 31:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 31:5" /></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>