1 Samuel 31 - Summary

The Philistines defeat Israel on Mount Gilboa; Saul's sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchi-shua are killed, and Saul is badly wounded by archers. Saul asks his armor-bearer to kill him lest the uncircumcised abuse him, but when the armor-bearer refuses in fear, Saul falls on his own sword; the armor-bearer does likewise. The next day the Philistines find the bodies, cut off Saul's head, strip his armor for their temple, and fasten the bodies to Beth-shan's wall. When Jabesh-gilead hears—remembering Saul's earlier deliverance—their valiant men march all night, take down the bodies, burn them at Jabesh, bury the bones under the tamarisk tree, and fast seven days.