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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 31:1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them, and many fell slain on Mount Gilboa.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/31-1.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/09_1Sa_31_01.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 31:1 - Saul's Overthrow and Death" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them, and many fell slain on Mount Gilboa." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></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/31-1.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/31-1.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 1</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="/ad1.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/30-31.htm" title="1 Samuel 30:31">◄</a> 1 Samuel 31:1 <a href="/1_samuel/31-2.htm" title="1 Samuel 31:2">►</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="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </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 />Now the Philistines fought against Israel; the Israelites fled before them, and many fell dead on Mount Gilboa.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/31.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Now the Philistines attacked Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them. Many were slaughtered on the slopes of Mount Gilboa.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/31.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/31.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them, and many fell slain on Mount Gilboa.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/31.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/31.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell slain on Mount Gilboa.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/31.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel, and the men of Israel fled from the Philistines but fell fatally wounded on Mount Gilboa.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/31.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel, and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/31.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel, and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/31.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel, and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/31.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them and fell slain on Mount Gilboa.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/31.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Philistines fought against Israel, and Israel’s men fled from them and were killed on Mount Gilboa.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/31.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The Philistines fought against Israel, and Israel&#8217s men fled from them. Many were killed on Mount Gilboa.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/31.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/31.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Meanwhile, the Philistines were fighting Israel at Mount Gilboa. Israel's soldiers ran from the Philistines, and many of them were killed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/31.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/31.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When the Philistines were fighting against Israel, the men of Israel fled from the Philistines and were killed in battle on Mount Gilboa.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/31.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The Philistines fought a battle against the Israelites on Mount Gilboa. Many Israelites were killed there, and the rest of them, including King Saul and his sons, fled. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/31.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The Philistines fought against Israel, and the army of Israel fled before the Philistines. They fell slain on Mount Gilboa. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/31.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them, and many fell slain on Mount Gilboa.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/31.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel. The men of Israel fled from the Philistines and many of them fell dead on Mount Gilboa.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/31.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain on Mount Gilboa.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/31.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/31.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain on Mount Gilboa. <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 the Philistines are fighting against Israel, and the men of Israel flee from the face of the Philistines, and fall wounded in Mount Gilboa,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/31.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the Philistines are fighting against Israel, and the men of Israel flee from the face of the Philistines, and fall wounded in mount Gilboa,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/31.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the rovers warred against Israel: and the men of Israel will flee from the face of the rovers, and they will fall wounded in mount Gilboa.<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 the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gelboe. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/31.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel. And the men of Israel fled before the face of the Philistines, and they fell down slain on mount Gilboa.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/31.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Now the Philistines went to war against Israel, and the Israelites fled before them, and fell, slain on Mount Gilboa.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/31.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines, and many fell on Mount Gilboa.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/31.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />NOW the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and many fell dead on mount Gilboa.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/31.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the Philistines were fighting with Israel, and men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and they fell slain in the mountain of Gelbua<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/31.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/31.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the Philistines fought with Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and they fall down wounded in the mountain in Gelbue.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/31-1.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=8987" 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">Saul's Overthrow and Death</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/6430.htm" title="6430: ū·p̄ə·liš·tîm (Conj-w:: N-proper-mp) -- Inhab. of Philistia. Patrial from Plesheth; a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth.">Now the Philistines</a> <a href="/hebrew/3898.htm" title="3898: nil·ḥā·mîm (V-Nifal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To feed on, to consume, to battle. A primitive root; to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle.">fought</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: bə·yiś·rā·’êl (Prep-b:: N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">against Israel,</a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: ’an·šê (N-mpc) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">and the men</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/5127.htm" title="5127: way·yā·nu·sū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To flee, escape. A primitive root; to flit, i.e. Vanish away.">fled</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: mip·pə·nê (Prep-m:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before</a> <a href="/hebrew/6430.htm" title="6430: p̄ə·liš·tîm (N-proper-mp) -- Inhab. of Philistia. Patrial from Plesheth; a Pelishtite or inhabitant of Pelesheth.">them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5307.htm" title="5307: way·yip·pə·lū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To fall, lie. A primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications.">and many fell</a> <a href="/hebrew/2491.htm" title="2491: ḥă·lā·lîm (N-mp) -- Pierced, polluted. From chalal; pierced; figuratively, polluted.">slain</a> <a href="/hebrew/2022.htm" title="2022: bə·har (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Mountain, hill, hill country. A shortened form of harar; a mountain or range of hills.">on Mount</a> <a href="/hebrew/1533.htm" title="1533: hag·gil·bō·a‘ (Art:: N-proper-fs) -- A mountain in N. Isr. From gal and ba'ah; fountain of ebullition; Gilboa, a mountain of Palestine.">Gilboa.</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>The Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons, and they killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua.…<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/10-1.htm">1 Chronicles 10:1-14</a></span><br />Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them, and many fell slain on Mount Gilboa. / The Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons, and they killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. / When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/1-4.htm">2 Samuel 1:4-12</a></span><br />“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.” / Then David asked the young man who had brought him the report, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?” / “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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/28-19.htm">1 Samuel 28:19</a></span><br />Moreover, the LORD will deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. And the LORD will deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/21-12.htm">2 Samuel 21:12-14</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. / So David had the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan brought from there, and they also gathered the bones of those who had been hanged. / And they buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in Zela in the land of Benjamin, in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish. After they had done everything the king had commanded, God answered their prayers for the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/13-5.htm">1 Samuel 13:5</a></span><br />Now the Philistines assembled to fight against Israel with three thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/28-4.htm">1 Samuel 28:4</a></span><br />The Philistines gathered together and camped at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and camped at Gilboa.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/29-1.htm">1 Samuel 29:1</a></span><br />Now the Philistines brought all their forces together at Aphek, while Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/30-1.htm">1 Samuel 30:1</a></span><br />On the third day David and his men arrived in Ziklag, and the Amalekites had raided the Negev, attacked Ziklag, and burned it down.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/4-4.htm">2 Samuel 4:4</a></span><br />And Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the report about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but as she was hurrying to escape, he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/2-4.htm">2 Samuel 2:4-7</a></span><br />Then the men of Judah came to Hebron, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, “It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul.” / So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead to tell them, “The LORD bless you, because you showed this kindness to Saul your lord when you buried him. / Now may the LORD show you loving devotion and faithfulness, and I will also show you the same favor because you have done this. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/5-17.htm">2 Samuel 5:17-25</a></span><br />When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they all went in search of him; but David learned of this and went down to the stronghold. / Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. / So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” “Go up,” replied the LORD, “for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hand.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/23-8.htm">2 Samuel 23:8-39</a></span><br />These are the names of David’s mighty men: Josheb-basshebeth the Tahchemonite was chief of the Three. He wielded his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed at one time. / Next in command was Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he went with David to taunt the Philistines who had gathered for battle at Pas-dammim. The men of Israel retreated, / but Eleazar stood his ground and struck the Philistines until his hand grew weary and stuck to his sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. Then the troops returned to him, but only to plunder the dead. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/2-10.htm">1 Kings 2:10-12</a></span><br />Then David rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. / The length of David’s reign over Israel was forty years—seven years in Hebron and thirty-three years in Jerusalem. / So Solomon sat on the throne of his father David, and his kingdom was firmly established.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/12-1.htm">1 Chronicles 12:1-2</a></span><br />Now these were the men who came to David at Ziklag, while he was still banished from the presence of Saul son of Kish (they were among the mighty men who helped him in battle; / they were archers using both the right and left hands to sling stones and shoot arrows; and they were Saul’s kinsmen from Benjamin):<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-5.htm">Matthew 27:5</a></span><br />So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.</p><p class="hdg">the Philistines</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/28-1.htm">1 Samuel 28:1,15</a></b></br> And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/29-1.htm">1 Samuel 29:1</a></b></br> Now the Philistines gathered together all their armies to Aphek: and the Israelites pitched by a fountain which <i>is</i> in Jezreel.</p><p class="hdg">fell down</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/12-25.htm">1 Samuel 12:25</a></b></br> But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/10-1.htm">1 Chronicles 10:1-12</a></b></br> Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa… </p><p class="hdg">slain [heb] wounded </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/28-4.htm">1 Samuel 28:4</a></b></br> And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/1-21.htm">2 Samuel 1:21</a></b></br> Ye mountains of Gilboa, <i>let there be</i> no dew, neither <i>let there be</i> rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, <i>as though he had</i> not <i>been</i> anointed with oil.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/28-14.htm">Face</a> <a href="/1_samuel/26-20.htm">Fall</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-24.htm">Falling</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-13.htm">Fell</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-26.htm">Fighting</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-17.htm">Fled</a> <a href="/1_samuel/19-8.htm">Flee</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-17.htm">Flight</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-17.htm">Fought</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-4.htm">Gilboa</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-4.htm">Gilbo'a</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-25.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/29-1.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-22.htm">Mount</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-16.htm">Philistines</a> <a href="/1_samuel/29-5.htm">Slain</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-52.htm">Wounded</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_samuel/2-13.htm">Face</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-10.htm">Fall</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-10.htm">Falling</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-4.htm">Fell</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-3.htm">Fighting</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-7.htm">Fled</a> <a href="/2_samuel/4-3.htm">Flee</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-3.htm">Flight</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-28.htm">Fought</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-8.htm">Gilboa</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-8.htm">Gilbo'a</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-7.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-7.htm">Israelites</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-8.htm">Mount</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-2.htm">Philistines</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-8.htm">Slain</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-3.htm">Wounded</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 /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/1_samuel/31.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Now the Philistines fought against Israel</b><br />The Philistines were a significant adversarial force against Israel throughout the Old Testament. The Hebrew root for "Philistines" is "Peleshet," which refers to a group of people known for their advanced military technology and organization. Historically, the Philistines were part of the Sea Peoples who settled along the coastal regions of Canaan. Their conflict with Israel represents the ongoing struggle between the people of God and the surrounding pagan nations. This battle is a culmination of the hostilities that have been building throughout the reign of King Saul, highlighting the spiritual and physical warfare faced by God's people.<p><b>and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines</b><br />The phrase "fled before" indicates a retreat, a moment of fear and defeat for the Israelites. In Hebrew, "fled" is derived from the root "nus," which conveys a sense of fleeing in terror. This retreat signifies not just a physical defeat but also a spiritual one, as the Israelites' lack of faith and disobedience to God under Saul's leadership led to their downfall. Historically, this reflects the consequences of turning away from God's commandments and the importance of relying on divine strength rather than human might.<p><b>and fell slain on Mount Gilboa</b><br />Mount Gilboa is a significant geographical location in Israel's history. The Hebrew word for "fell" is "naphal," which means to fall or be cast down, often used in the context of death or defeat. The mention of Mount Gilboa is poignant, as it becomes a symbol of Israel's tragic loss and the end of Saul's reign. Archaeologically, Mount Gilboa is a real location, providing a tangible connection to the biblical narrative. Theologically, this event marks a turning point, paving the way for David's rise to kingship and the establishment of a more faithful leadership in Israel. The fall of Saul and his men serves as a somber reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the need for steadfast faith in God's promises.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/31.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(1) <span class= "bld">Now the Philistines fought against Israel.</span>--The narrator here is very abrupt. No doubt a devoted patriot, it was very bitter for him to write the story of the fatal day of Gilboa. Yet there were certain things belonging to that fated day which were necessary for every child of Israel to know. It was right that the punishment of the rejected king should be known; right too that the people should be assured that the remains of the great first king lay in no unknown and unhonoured sepulchre. It was well too that coming generations should honour the devoted loyalty of the grateful men of Jabesh-Gilead. But the narrator hurries over his unwelcome task; very curtly he picks up the dropped threads of <a href="/context/1_samuel/28-1.htm" title="And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said to David, Know you assuredly, that you shall go out with me to battle, you and your men.">1Samuel 28:1-5</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/29-2.htm" title="And the lords of the Philistines passed on by hundreds, and by thousands: but David and his men passed on in the rear guard with Achish.">1Samuel 29:2</a>. The march of the Philistines northward into the valley of Jezreel has been told, and their gallant array--as under the many banners of their lords they passed on by hundreds and by thousands--has been glanced at. The assembling of the armies of Israel at Shunem, overlooking the Jezreel vale, has been narrated; and there the historian dwelt on the terror of King Saul, which led to the visit to the witch of En-dor. David's fortunes at this juncture then occupied the writer or compiler of the Book; but now he returns, with evident reluctance, to the battle which rapidly followed the En-dor visit of Saul.<p>He simply relates that the hosts joined battle. The locality of the fight is not mentioned, but it was most likely somewhere in that long vale which was spread out at the foot of the hills occupied by the hostile camps Israel was defeated, and fled upwards, towards their old position on the slope of Gilboa.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/31.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 1, 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The Philistines fought.</span> Literally it is a participle present, "the Philistines are warring," as if it were a mere resumption of <a href="/1_samuel/28-1.htm">1 Samuel 28:1</a>. In the battle fought on the day following Saul's visit to the witch the Israelites were defeated, and fell in large numbers <span class="cmt_word">slain in Mount Gilboa,</span> either because the Philistines had attacked them there, or because, after fighting in the valley of Jezreel, they had made on its steep ridges their last defence. Among those thus slain were the three sons of Saul mentioned in <a href="/1_samuel/14-49.htm">1 Samuel 14:49</a>, where see note. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/31-1.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">Now the Philistines</span><br /><span class="heb">וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(ū·p̄ə·liš·tîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | 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">fought</span><br /><span class="heb">נִלְחָמִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(nil·ḥā·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3898.htm">Strong's 3898: </a> </span><span class="str2">To feed on, to consume, to battle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against Israel,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל</span> <span class="translit">(bə·yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and the men</span><br /><span class="heb">אַנְשֵׁ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(’an·šê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵל֙</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">fled</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּנֻ֜סוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·nu·sū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5127.htm">Strong's 5127: </a> </span><span class="str2">To flit, vanish away</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before</span><br /><span class="heb">מִפְּנֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(mip·pə·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - common plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them,</span><br /><span class="heb">פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(p̄ə·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">and many fell</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּפְּל֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yip·pə·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5307.htm">Strong's 5307: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall, lie</span><br /><br /><span class="word">slain</span><br /><span class="heb">חֲלָלִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(ḥă·lā·lîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2491.htm">Strong's 2491: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pierced, polluted</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on Mount</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּהַ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(bə·har)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2022.htm">Strong's 2022: </a> </span><span class="str2">Mountain, hill, hill country</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Gilboa.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַגִּלְבֹּֽעַ׃</span> <span class="translit">(hag·gil·bō·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1533.htm">Strong's 1533: </a> </span><span class="str2">Gilboa -- a mountain in Northern Israel</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/31-1.htm">1 Samuel 31:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/31-1.htm">1 Samuel 31:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/31-1.htm">1 Samuel 31:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/31-1.htm">1 Samuel 31:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/31-1.htm">1 Samuel 31:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/31-1.htm">1 Samuel 31:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/31-1.htm">1 Samuel 31:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/31-1.htm">1 Samuel 31:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/31-1.htm">1 Samuel 31:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/31-1.htm">1 Samuel 31:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/31-1.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 31:1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel: (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/30-31.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 30:31"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 30:31" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/31-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 31:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 31:2" /></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>