1 Samuel 31:3

1 Samuel 31:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers.
• New International Version (NIV)The fighting grew fierce around Saul, and when the archers overtook him, they wounded him critically.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The battle pressed hard against Saul, and the archers found him, and he was badly wounded by the archers.
• New King James Version (NKJV)The battle became fierce against Saul. The archers hit him, and he was severely wounded by the archers.

Context of 1 Samuel 31:3

1Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. 2The Philistines overtook Saul and his sons; and they killed Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua, Saul’s sons. The battle went heavily against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was severely wounded by the archers. 4Saul said to his armor bearer, “Draw your sword and pierce me through with it, otherwise these uncircumcised [Philistines] will come and pierce me through and abuse and mock me.” But his armor bearer would not, because he was terrified [of doing such a thing]. So Saul took his sword and fell on it. 5When his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword and died with him.

1 Samuel 31:3 word by word

וַתִּכְבַּ֤ד הַמִּלְחָמָה֙ אֶל־שָׁא֔וּל וַיִּמְצָאֻ֥הוּ הַמּוֹרִ֖ים אֲנָשִׁ֣ים בַּקָּ֑שֶׁת וַיָּ֥חֶל מְאֹ֖ד מֵהַמּוֹרִֽים׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And the battleמִלְחָמָהmilchâmâh · battleH4421
• went soreכָּבֵדkâbad kâbêd · to honor: heavyH3513
• against Saulשָׁאוּלshâ'ûl · SaulH7586
• and the archersקֶ֫שֶׁתqesheth · bowH7198
• and the archersאֱנוֹשׁ'ĕnôsh · humanH582
• and the archersיָרָאyârâh yârâ' · to shootH3384
• hitמָצָאmâtsâ' · to findH4672
• him; and he was soreמְאֹדme'ôd · muchH3966
• woundedחוּלchûl chîyl · to twist: writh in painH2342

Cross-references for 1 Samuel 31:3

• 2 Samuel 1:4David said to him, “How did it go? Please tell me.” He answered, “The people have fled from the battle. Also, many of the people have fallen and are dead; Saul and Jonathan his son are also dead.”
• Amos 2:14Flight will be lost to the swift [so they will be unable to escape], And the strong shall not strengthen nor maintain his power, Nor shall the mighty man save his own life.
• Genesis 49:23The [skilled] archers have bitterly attacked and provoked him; They have shot [at him] and harassed him.
• 1 Kings 22:34But one man drew a bow at random and struck the king of Israel in a joint of the armor. So he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and take me out of the fight, because I have been seriously wounded.”

Commentaries on 1 Samuel 31:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3He was sore wounded of the archers - It is likely that Saul's sons were slain by the archers, and that Saul was now mortally wounded by the same. Houbigant translates, The archers rushed upon him, from whom he received a grievous wound. He farther remarks that had not Saul been grievously wounded, and beyond hope of recovery, he would not have wished his armor-bearer to despatch him; as he might have continued still to fight, or have made his escape from…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3He was sore wounded - Better, “he was sore afraid” (compare Deuteronomy 2:25). Saul‘s fear is explained in 1 Samuel 31:4.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-13While David was in the south successfully fighting the Amalekites (1 Samuel 30), Saul was in the north unsuccessfully fighting the Philistines.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3-53-5. the battle went sore against Saul, &c.--He seems to have bravely maintained his ground for some time longer; but exhausted with fatigue and loss of blood, and dreading that if he fell alive into the enemy's hands, they would insolently maltreat him (Jos 8:29; 10:24; Jud 8:21), he requested his armor bearer to despatch him. However, that officer refused to do so. Saul then falling on the point of his sword killed himself; and the armor bearer, who…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Samuel 31:3

• Archery
• Arrow
• Gilboa
• Jezreel

In the dictionaries

• Saul
• Paul, Saul
• Archer
• Gilboa
• Hit
• Jezreel, Valley of
• Achish
• Army
• Chronicles, Books of
• Esdraelon, Plain of

Commentaries on 1 Samuel 31

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings