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1 Chronicles 10

1 Chronicles10

American Standard Version · Public Domain

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1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.

2 And the Philistines followed hard after Saul and after his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul.

3 And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers overtook him; and he was distressed by reason of the archers.

4 Then said Saul unto his armorbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith, lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armorbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took his sword, and fell upon it.

5 And when his armorbearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell upon his sword, and died.

6 So Saul died, and his three sons; and all his house died together.

7 And when all the men of Israel that were in the valley saw that they fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook their cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.

8 And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen in mount Gilboa.

9 And they stripped him, and took his head, and his armor, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to carry the tidings unto their idols, and to the people.

10 And they put his armor in the house of their gods, and fastened his head in the house of Dagon.

11 And when all Jabesh-gilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul,

12 all the valiant men arose, and took away the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.

13 So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against Jehovah, because of the word of Jehovah, which he kept not; and also for that he asked counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire thereby,

14 and inquired not of Jehovah: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.

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1 Chronicles 10

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Chronicles 10. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.

Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The death of Saul. (1-14).

vv1-14

The design chiefly in view in these books of the Chronicles, appears to be to preserve the records of the house of David. Therefore the writer repeats not the history of Saul's reign, but only of his death, by which a way was made for David to the throne. And from the ruin of Saul, we may learn, 1. That the sin of sinners will certainly find them out, sooner or later; Saul died for his transgression. 2. That no man's greatness can exempt him from the judgments of God. 3. Disobedience is a killing thing. Saul died for not keeping the word of the Lord. May be delivered from unbelief, impatience, and despair. By waiting on the Lord we shall obtain a kingdom that cannot be moved.

Cross References

1 Chronicles 10
v11 Samuel 31:1-13quotation

The direct parallel narrative of the battle of Gilboa, almost word-for-word identical.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v131 Samuel 28:7-20thematic

The historical account of Saul consulting the medium at Endor, which prompted his judgment.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v131 Samuel 15:9thematic

Saul's disobedience in sparing Agag and the Amalekite spoil, referenced as his fatal transgression.

Supported by JFB

v13Leviticus 19:31thematic

The Mosaic prohibition against consulting mediums and familiar spirits which Saul violated.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v141 Samuel 28:6contrast

Shows Saul inquired of God superficially, but not in spirit, leading to silence and judgment.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v141 Samuel 15:28fulfillment

Fulfillment of Samuel's prophecy that God had torn the kingdom from Saul to give it to David.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v101 Samuel 31:10thematic

Clarifies that the Philistines fastened Saul's headless body to the wall of Beth-shan.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v111 Samuel 11:1-11thematic

Explains Jabesh-gilead's gratitude to Saul, whom he had rescued from Nahash the Ammonite.

v4Judges 9:54thematic

Historical precedent of Abimelech ordering his armor-bearer to kill him to avoid disgrace.

The turning of Saul's kingdom to David according to the word of the Lord.