1. Los filisteos presentaron batalla a Israel. Los israelitas huyeron, y muchos cayeron muertos en el cerro Gelboé.
2. Los filisteos persiguieron a Saúl y a sus hijos y dieron muerte a Jonatán, a Abinadab y a Malquisúa, hijos de Saúl.
3. Saúl soportaba todo el peso del combate. Habiéndolo descubierto los arqueros, le dispararon, dejándolo herido.
4. Saúl dijo entonces a su escudero: «Saca tu espada y traspásame, no sea que lleguen esos infieles a burlarse de mí.» Pero el escudero no se atrevió a hacerlo, pues estaba temblando de miedo. Entonces Saúl se arrojó sobre su espada.
5. Viendo que Saúl había muerto, su escudero se arrojó también sobre su espada, y murió junto a él.
6. Así murieron juntos aquel día Saúl, sus tres hijos y el que llevaba su escudo.
7. Los israelitas que vivían en la parte alta del valle y al otro lado del Jordán vieron huir a las tropas de Israel. Cuando supieron que Saúl y sus hijos habían muerto, abandonaron sus pueblos y huyeron y los filisteos subieron a ocuparlos.
8. Al otro día bajaron los filisteos para despojar a los muertos. Encontraron a Saúl muerto junto a sus tres hijos en el monte Gelboé. Le cortaron la cabeza y lo despojaron de sus armas.
9. Luego llevaron la noticia al país de los filisteos, publicando esta buena nueva en los templos de sus ídolos y por todos los lugares poblados.
10. Colocaron las armas de Saúl en el templo de Astarté y colgaron su cuerpo en el muro de Betsán.
11. Los habitantes de Jabés de Galaad supieron lo que los filisteos habían hecho con Saúl.
12. Entonces se juntaron todos los más valientes y después de marchar toda la noche tomaron el cadáver de Saúl y los de sus hijos de las murallas de Betsán.
13. Los transportaron a Jabés y allí los quemaron. Recogieron sus huesos y los sepultaron bajo el terebinto de Jabés, y ayunaron siete días.
Footnotes:
31:1-2 - The Philistines defeat the Israelites in battle and kill Saul's sons, including Jonathan. The death of Jonathan, David's faithful friend, marks a tragic moment, showing the consequences of Saul's disobedience (see also 1 Samuel 13:13-14 and 2 Samuel 1:25-26).
31:3-4 - Saul, gravely wounded, asks to be killed, but his armor-bearer refuses. Saul then takes his own life. His tragic death reflects the end of a reign marked by disobedience and spiritual decline (see also 1 Samuel 28:19 and 1 Chronicles 10:13-14).
31:5-6 - Saul's armor-bearer, seeing the king's death, also commits suicide. This act highlights the desperation on the battlefield and the armor-bearer's desperate loyalty to his master (see also Judges 9:54 and 1 Kings 16:18).
31:7 - When the Israelites see that Saul is dead, they flee, and the Philistines take possession of the Israelite cities. Israel's defeat marks a national crisis and an imminent transition of power (see also 1 Samuel 4:10-11 and 2 Samuel 2:4).
31:8-13 - The Philistines expose the bodies of Saul and his sons, but the men of Jabesh-gilead recover and bury the bodies. The devotion of the men of Jabesh to Saul for his deliverance demonstrates a memory of gratitude and honor even after his death (see also 1 Samuel 11:1-11 and 2 Samuel 2:4-7).
Verses related to 1 Samuel, 31:
1 Samuel chapter 31 recounts the tragic end of Saul and his sons. How does an era in the history of Israel end? This dark text describes Israel's defeat by the Philistines, Saul's suicide, and the deaths of his sons, including Jonathan. The chapter explores themes of the fall of a leader, the consequences of disobedience, and the end of a dynasty. The desecration of the bodies and their subsequent recovery add depth to the narrative. Examine with us five biblical passages that elucidate the principles of judgment and honor present in this final chapter of 1 Samuel.
2 Samuel 1:19-27: "Your glory, O Israel, lies dead upon your mountains! How the mighty have fallen! [...] Saul and Jonathan, loved and pleasant in life, were not separated in death! They were more agile than eagles, stronger than lions." - David's lament over the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, reflecting on the events of 1 Samuel 31.
1 Chronicles 10:13-14: "Thus Saul died because of his unfaithfulness to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, not the Lord. So the Lord killed him and handed the kingdom over to David son of Jesse." - Offers a theological interpretation of Saul's death.
Ecclesiastes 9:11: "I also observed that, under the sun, the fast do not always win the race; the strong do not always triumph in war; the wise do not always have food; the prudent are not always rich; the educated do not always have prestige; because time and chance affect everyone." - Reflects on the fall of Saul, a powerful king, in battle.
Proverbs 16:18: "Pride comes before destruction; the haughty spirit, before the fall." - It can be applied to the fall of Saul, which began with his pride and disobedience to God.
Psalms 146:3-4: "Do not trust in princes, in mere mortals, incapable of saving. When their spirit is gone, they return to dust; That same day his plans come to an end." - Reflects on the mortality of human leaders, as demonstrated by the death of Saul.
FAQ:
How did Saul die?
Saul, wounded by the Philistines, fell on his own sword to avoid being captured and humiliated by them. (1 Samuel 31:3-4)
Who else died along with Saul?
Saul’s sons, including Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malkishua, were killed in battle against the Philistines. (1 Samuel 31:2)
What did the Philistines do with Saul's body?
They cut off his head, exposed his body in the temple of Dagon, and hung him on the walls of Beth Shan. (1 Samuel 31:8-10)
How did the men of Jabesh-gilead honor Saul?
They recovered the bodies of Saul and his sons, burned them, and buried the bones under a tree. (1 Samuel 31:11-13)
What is the significance of Saul's death in the history of Israel?
It marks the end of his reign and the transition to the reign of David, chosen by God. (1 Samuel 31:6, 2 Samuel 2:4)
