American Standard Version
1 Samuel 31:3
3And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers overtook him; and he was greatly distressed by reason of the archers.
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 from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. 2And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers overtook him; and he was greatly distressed by reason of the archers. 4Then said Saul to his armorbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armorbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took his sword, and fell upon it. 5And when his armorbearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell upon his sword, and died with him.
Read all of 1 Samuel 311 Samuel 31:3 word by word
וַתִּכְבַּ֤ד הַמִּלְחָמָה֙ אֶל־שָׁא֔וּל וַיִּמְצָאֻ֥הוּ הַמּוֹרִ֖ים אֲנָשִׁ֣ים בַּקָּ֑שֶׁת וַיָּ֥חֶל מְאֹ֖ד מֵהַמּוֹרִֽים׃Read the interlinear
Cross-references for 1 Samuel 31:3
- 2 Samuel 1:4And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, The people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.
- Amos 2:14And flight shall perish from the swift; and the strong shall not strengthen his force; neither shall the mighty deliver himself;
- Genesis 49:23The archers have sorely grieved him, And shot at him, and persecuted him:
- 1 Kings 22:34And a certain man drew his bow at a venture, and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the armor: wherefore he said unto the driver of his chariot, Turn thy hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am sore 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
In the dictionaries
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
American Standard Version — 1901 — Public Domain
Commentaries