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1 Shamu'al 31

1 Shamu'al chapter 31 in the Qadmoni reader. Read the full chapter text with direct verse references and continue into the interactive reader.

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31:1

The Fall of the First Monarchy on Mount Gilboa

Now the Philistines fought against Yashar'al: and the men of Yashar'al fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.
31:2
And the Philistines followed hard upon Shaul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Yonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, Shaul's sons.
31:3
And the battle went sore against Shaul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers.
31:4

The Death of the Unanointed King

Then said Shaul unto his armor-bearer, "Draw thy 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 Shaul took a sword, and fell upon it.
31:5
And when his armor-bearer saw that Shaul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him.
31:6
So Shaul died, and his three sons, and his armor-bearer, and all his men, that same day together.
31:7

The Collapse of the Terrestrial Borders

And when the men of Yashar'al that were on the other side of the valley, and they that were on the other side Yardan, saw that the men of Yashar'al fled, and that Shaul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.
31:8

The Desecration of the Royal Vessels

And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Shaul and his three sons fallen in mount Gilboa.
31:9
And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armor, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the house of their idols, and among the people.
31:10
And they put his armor in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan.
31:11

The Loyalty of Yabesh-gilead

And when the inhabitants of Yabesh-gilead heard of that which the Philistines had done to Shaul;
31:12
All the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Shaul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and came to Yabesh, and burnt them there.
31:13
And they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Yabesh, and fasted seven days.