1 Samuel 31
1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and there fell down [many] slain on mount Gilboa'.
Now the Philistines fought against Israel. The men of Israel fled from before the Philistines and fell down dead on Mount Gilboa.
2 And the Philistines overtook Saul and his sons; and the Philistines smote Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malkishua', the sons of Saul.
The Philistines closely pursued Saul and his sons. The Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malki-Shua, his sons.
3 And the battle was heavy against Saul, and he was found by the archers, the men with bows; and he was greatly in dread of the archers.
The battle went heavily against Saul, and the archers overtook him. He was in severe pain because of them.
4 And Saul said unto his armor-bearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and wantonly ill-use me. But his armor-bearer would not; for he was greatly afraid; wherefore Saul took the sword, and fell upon it.
Then Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword and thrust me through with it. Otherwise, these uncircumcised will come and abuse me.” But his armor bearer would not, for he was very afraid. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it.
5 And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, then fell he likewise upon his sword, and died with him.
When his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell on his sword and died with him.
6 Thus died Saul, and his three sons, and his armor-bearer, also all his men, on that same day together.
So Saul died, his three sons, and his armor bearer—these men all died together that same day.
7 And when the men of Israel that were on the other side of the valley, and those that were on the other side of the Jordan, saw that the men of Israel had fled, and that Saul and his sons had died: they forsook the cities, and fled away; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.
When the men of Israel who were on the other side of the valley, and those beyond the Jordan, saw that the men of Israel had fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and fled, and the Philistines came and lived in them.
8 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the Philistines came to strip the slain; and they found Saul and his three sons fallen on mount Gilboa'.
It came about on the next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa.
9 And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armor, and sent it into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the house of their idols, and among the people.
They cut off his head and stripped off his armor, and sent messengers into the land of the Philistines throughout to carry the news to their idols' temples and to the people.
10 And they put his armor in the house of 'Ashtaroth; and his body they fastened to the wall of Beth-shan.
They put his armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths, and they fastened his body to the city wall of Beth Shan.
11 And when the inhabitants of Yabeshgil'ad heard concerning him that which the Philistines had done to Saul:
When the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead heard of what the Philistines had done to Saul,
12 Then arose all the valiant men, and walked all the night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and they came to Yabesh, and burnt them there.
all the fighting men arose and went all night and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth Shan. They went to Jabesh and burned them there.
13 And they took their bones, and buried them under the tamarisk-tree at Yabesh, and they fasted seven days.
Then they took their bones and buried them under a tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and fasted for seven days.
