1. Philisthim autem pugnabant adversum Israël et fugerunt viri Israël ante faciem Philisthim et ceciderunt interfecti in monte Gelbœ
2. inrueruntque Philisthim in Saul et filios ejus et percusserunt Jonathan et Abinadab et Melchisue filios Saul
3. totumque pondus prœlii versum est in Saul et consecuti sunt eum viri sagittarii et vulneratus est vehementer a sagittariis
4. dixitque Saul ad armigerum suum evagina gladium tuum et percute me ne forte veniant incircumcisi isti et interficiant me inludentes mihi et noluit armiger ejus fuerat enim nimio timore perterritus arripuit itaque Saul gladium et inruit super eum
5. quod cum vidisset armiger ejus videlicet quod mortuus esset Saul inruit etiam ipse super gladium suum et mortuus est cum eo
6. mortuus est ergo Saul et tres filii ejus et armiger illius et universi viri ejus in die illa pariter
7. videntes autem viri Israël qui erant trans vallem et trans Jordanem quod fugissent viri israhelitæ et quod mortuus esset Saul et filii ejus reliquerunt civitates suas et fugerunt veneruntque Philisthim et habitaverunt ibi
8. facta autem die altera venerunt Philisthim ut spoliarent interfectos et invenerunt Saul et tres filios ejus jacentes in monte Gelbœ
9. et præciderunt caput Saul et expoliaverunt eum armis et miserunt in terram Philisthinorum per circuitum ut adnuntiaretur in templo idolorum et in populis
10. et posuerunt arma ejus in templo Astharoth corpus vero ejus suspenderunt in muro Bethsan
11. quod cum audissent habitatores Jabesgalaad quæcumque fecerant Philisthim Saul
12. surrexerunt omnes viri fortissimi et ambulaverunt tota nocte et tulerunt cadaver Saul et cadavera filiorum ejus de muro Bethsan veneruntque Jabes et conbuserunt ea ibi
13. et tulerunt ossa eorum et sepelierunt in nemore Jabes et jejunaverunt septem diebus
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 Liber I Samuelis, 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)
