1 Samuel 31
1 Now, as, the Philistines, were fighting against Israel, the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell slain, in 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 followed hard after Saul, and after his sons, —and the Philistines smote Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchishua, 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 went sore against Saul, and the archers discovered him, —and he was terrified at the archers.
The battle went heavily against Saul, and the archers overtook him. He was in severe pain because of them.
4 Then said Saul to his armour-bearer—Draw thy sword and pierce me through therewith, lest these uncircumcised come, and pierce me through, and abuse me. But his armour-bearer was not willing, for he was sore afraid. So Saul took his sword and fell thereon.
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 armour-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also, fell 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 armour-bearer, yea all his men, on that 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 who were across the vale, and who were across the Jordan, saw that the men of Israel had fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities, and fled, and the Philistines entered, and took up their abode therein.
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, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul, and his three sons, lying prostrate in 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 So they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, —and sent throughout the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the house of their idols, and unto 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 armour in a house of Ashtoreths, —and, his dead body, fastened they on 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 Jabesh-gilead heard concerning him, what the Philistines had done unto Saul,
When the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead heard of what the Philistines had done to Saul,
12 then arose all the men of valour, and journeyed all the night, and took the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, from the wall of Beth-shan, —and came to Jabesh, and burned 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 took their bones, and buried them under the tamarisk-tree in Jabesh, —and fasted seven days.
Then they took their bones and buried them under a tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and fasted for seven days.
