Israel is defeated by the Philistines: Saul and his sons are slain.
Saul with his sonnes are slaine in battel. 7. The Philistijms possesse the place, and hang the dead bodies on a wal, 11. but valiant men of Iabes Galaad take them away, and burne them, burie their bones, and fast seuen dayes.
1And the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gelboe.Ma i Filistei vennero a battaglia cogl'Israeliti: e gli uomini d'Israele fuggirono dal cospetto de' Filistei, e furono trucidati sul monte Gelboe.AND the Philistijms fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before the face of the Philistijms, and fel being slaine in mount Gelboe.Philisthiim autem pugnabant adversum Israël: et fugerunt viri Israël ante faciem Philisthiim, et ceciderunt interfecti in monte Gelboë. 2And the Philistines fell upon Saul, and upon his sons, and they slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Melchisua, the sons of Saul.E i Filistei si gettarono contro Saul: e contro i suoi figliuoli, e ammazzaron Gionata, e Abinadab, e Melchisua figliuoli di Saul,And the Philistijms fel vpon Saul, and vpon his sonnes, and they stroke Ionathas, and Abinadab, and Melchisua the sonnes of Saul,Irrueruntque Philisthiim in Saul et in filios ejus, et percusserunt Jonathan, et Abinadab, et Melchisua filios Saul: 3And the whole weight of the battle was turned upon Saul: and the archers overtook him, and he was grievously wounded by the archers.E tutto il forte della battaglia si volse contro di Saul, e lo inseguirono gli arcieri, ed ei restò gravemente ferito da loro.and the whole weight of the battel was turned vpon Saul: and the archers ouertooke him, and he was sore wounded of the archers.totumque pondus prælii versum est in Saul, et consecuti sunt eum viri sagittarii, et vulneratus est vehementer a sagittariis. 4Then Saul said to his armourbearer: Draw thy sword, and kill me: lest these uncircumcised come, and slay me, and mock at me. And his armourbearer would not: for he was struck with exceeding great fear. Then Saul took his sword, and fell upon it.E Saul disse al suo scudiere: Sfodera la tua spada, e uccidimi: affinchè sovraggiungendo forse questi incirconcisi, non mi tolgano essi la vita, e mi faccian insulti. E lo scudiere non volle (farlo): perocché era sbigottito sommamente: allora Saul die' di piglio alla spada, e gettovvisi sopra.And Saul sayd to his esquier: Drawe out thy sword, and strike me: lest perhaps these vncircumcised come, and kil me, mocking me. And his esquier would not: for he was frighted with exceding feare. Saul therefore caught his sword, and fel vpon it.Dixitque Saul ad armigerum suum: Evagina gladium tuum, et percute me: ne forte veniant incircumcisi isti, et interficiant me, illudentes mihi. Et noluit armiger ejus: fuerat enim nimio terrore perterritus. Arripuit itaque Saul gladium, et irruit super eum. 5And when his armourbearer saw this, to wit, that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died with him.La qual cosa veduta avendo il suo scudiere, cioè che Saul era morto, si gettò ancor egli sulla sua spada, e morì insieme con lui.Which when his esquier had seene, to wit that Saul was dead, himselfe also fel vpon his sword and died with him.Quod cum vidisset armiger ejus, videlicet quod mortuus esset Saul, irruit etiam ipse super gladium suum, et mortuus est cum eo.
6So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men that same day together.Morì adunque Saul, e tre suoi figliuoli, e il suo scudiere, e parimente tutti i suoi in quel giorno.Saul therefore died, and his three sonnes, & his esquier, and al his men in that day together.Mortuus est ergo Saul, et tres filii ejus, et armiger illius, et universi viri ejus in die illa pariter. 7And the men of Israel, that were beyond the valley, and beyond the Jordan, seeing that the Israelites were fled, and that Saul was dead, and his sons, forsook their cities, and fled: and the Philistines came and dwelt there.Ma veggendo gli uomini d'Israele, che stavan di là dalla valle, e di là dal Giordano, come gl'Israeliti s'erano dati alla fuga, ed era morto Saul, e i suoi figliuoli, abbandonaron le loro città, e fuggirono: e i Filistei andarono, e le abitarono.And the children of Israel, that were beyond the valley, and beyond Iordan, seing that the men of Israel were fled, and that Saul was dead, and his sonnes, they left their cities, and fled: and the Philistijms came, and dwelt there.Videntes autem viri Israël qui erant trans vallem et trans Jordanem, quod fugissent viri Israëlitæ, et quod mortuus esset Saul et filii ejus, reliquerunt civitates suas, et fugerunt: veneruntque Philisthiim, et habitaverunt ibi. 8And on the morrow the Philistines came to strip the slain, and they found Saul and his three sons lying in mount Gelboe.E il dì seguente andarono i Filistei a spogliare i morti, e trovaron Saul, e i tre suoi figliuoli sul monte Gelboe.And when the next day was come, the Philistijms came to spoile them that were slaine, and they found Saul and his three sonnes, lying in mount Gelboe.Facta autem die altera, venerunt Philisthiim ut spoliarent interfectos, et invenerunt Saul et tres filios ejus jacentes in monte Gelboë. 9And they cut off Saul’s head, and stripped him of his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the temples of their idols and among their people.E troncarono il capo a Saul, e lo spogliarono delle sue armi, e mandarono all'intorno per tutto il paese dei Filistei ad annunziare tal nuova nel tempio degl'idoli, e a tutto il popolo.And they did cut of Saules head, and spoiled him of his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistians round about, that it should be declared in the temple of their Idols, and among their people.Et præciderunt caput Saul, et spoliaverunt eum armis: et miserunt in terram Philisthinorum per circuitum, ut annuntiaretur in templo idolorum, et in populis. 10And they put his armour in the temple of Astaroth, but his body they hung on the wall of Bethsan.E le armi di lui collocarono nel tempio di Astharoth; e appesero il suo corpo alle mura di Bethsan.And they did put his armour in the temple of Astaroth, but his bodie they hung on the wal of Bethsam.Et posuerunt arma ejus in templo Astaroth, corpus vero ejus suspenderunt in muro Bethsan.
11Now when the inhabitants of Jabes Galaad had heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul,Ma avendo udito gli abitanti di Jabes di Galaad tutto quello che i Filistei avean fatto a Saul,Which when the inhabiters of Iabes Galaad had heard whatsoeuer the Philistijms had done to Saul,Quod cum audissent habitatores Jabes Galaad, quæcumque fecerant Philisthiim Saul, 12All the most valiant men arose, and walked all the night, and took the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, from the wall of Bethsan: and they came to Jabes Galaad, and burnt them there.Si mossero tutti gli uomini più valorosi e camminaron tutta notte, e levarono il cadavero di Saul, e i cadaveri de' suoi figliuoli dalle mura di Bethsan, e se ne tornarono a Jabes di Galaad, e ivi li bruciarono.al the most valiant men arose, & walked al the night, and tooke the bodie of Saul, and the bodies of his sonnes, from the wal of Bethsam: and they came to Iabes Galaad, and burnt them there:surrexerunt omnes viri fortissimi, et ambulaverunt tota nocte, et tulerunt cadaver Saul, et cadavera filiorum ejus, de muro Bethsan: veneruntque Jabes Galaad, et combusserunt ea ibi: 13And they took their bones, and buried them in the wood of Jabes: and fasted seven days.E preser le loro ossa e le seppellirono nel bosco di Jabes, e digiunarono per sette giorni.and they tooke their bones, and buried them in the wood of Iabes, and fasted seuen daies.et tulerunt ossa eorum, et sepelierunt in nemore Jabes, et jejunaverunt septem diebus.
31:1
Year of the World 2949.
Haydock
Fled. They make but a feeble resistance, as God was not with them. (Haydock)
Calmet
The first onset was made by the archers, and Saul's three sons fell, while the king himself was dangerously wounded. (Calmet)
Menochius
The death of his sons would increase his anguish. (Menochius)
Haydock
He seems not to have told them of the divine decree, as he might deem it irrevocable and unavoidable, so that flight would have been of no service to them. (Haydock)
31:2
31:3
Haydock
Overtook. Hebrew, "attacked, found, or hit him." He was running away. (Haydock)
Wounded. Some translate Hebrew, "terrified," as they believe the words of the Amalecite, "my whole life is in me." But that wretch deserves no credit; and Saul would probably not take the desperate resolution of killing himself, till he saw there was no possibility of escaping. Septuagint, "the archers find him, and they wounded him in the lower belly." Theodotion, "in the part near the liver."
31:4
Bearer. The Rabbins say he was Doeg. They were not yet come to a close engagement.
Calmet
Mock at me, as was then customary. See Josue 8:29., and Judges 1:7. He might recollect the treatment of Samson. (Calmet)
Homer
Fear. "To spill the royal blood's a direful thing." (Homer)
31:5
Haydock
With him. Thus to avoid a little shame and temporal punishment, they rushed into those which are inconceivably geat and eternal. (Haydock)
Josephus
The Jews in vain attempt to excuse Saul, as they deem suicide in such cases lawful, though in others they deprive those of burial, who have been guilty of it. (Josephus, Antiquities 6:14.)
Worthington
This author applauds the behaviour of Saul; and indeed, his courage called forth the praises of David. But even the pagans have deemed those no better than cowards, who have killed themselves to avoid misery. Rebus in adversis facile est contemnere mortem: Fortiter ille facit, qui miser esse potest. (Martial) The civil laws deny suicides the rites of burial, as they are also guilty of a crime against the state, which they deprive of their labours. They unjustly abandon what God has only committed to their care. Saul seems to have been afraid of receiving any insult himself, rather than to have been desirous of preventing the blasphemies of the infidels against God, as the Jews pretend. He gave no signs of repentance, and the spirit of God pronounces his condemnation. So Saul died for his iniquities, because he transgressed; (Calmet; Hebrew and Septuagint, in his iniquities, by which he prevaricated. Tirinus)...and moreover consulted also a witch, and trusted not in the Lord: therefore he slew him, 1 Paralipomenon 10:13, 14. Saul prefigured those, who having yielded to temptations, persist and die in their evil ways. (St. Gregory) (Worthington)
31:6
Haydock
His men. 1 Paralipomenon 10:6., his house fell together. The hopes of his family were at an end, (Haydock) though Isboseth, Abner, and some few survived him, (Menochius) who had fled, (Calmet) or had not been in the engagement. (Haydock)
31:7
Menochius
Beyond, or about "the passage" or fords of the Jordan, as the Hebrew means. (Menochius)
The Philistines did not pursue after them, as God set bounds to their ambition. It might otherwise have proved very fatal to his people, who were now so much divided and terrified. In the parallel passage, in Chronicles, it is only said, When the men....that dwelt in the plains (of Jezrahel) saw this, they fled, 1 Paralipomenon 10:7. The Philistines seized the abandoned cities, particularly Bethsan, (ver. 10.; Haydock) which had been retained by the Chanaanites in the days of the judges, and which David took back, Judges 1:27., and 3 Kings 4:12.
31:9
Head, as David had treated that of Goliath, 1 Kings 17:54.
31:10
Astaroth. The like custom was observed by the Hebrew, (chap. 21:9,) and by the Greeks and Romans, (Calmet) to acknowledge that victory was granted by God. The Philistines insulted Saul's body, and blasphemed the true God, as much as if they had taken the king alive. He only avoided the mortification of hearing them while he was forced to attend to the furies below.
Haydock
Body, with those of his three sons, ver. 12. (Haydock)
31:11
Calmet
Jabes, in gratitude for the deliverance which he had procured for them, 1 Kings 11:11. (Calmet)
Worthington
They are also deserving of praise for shewing mercy to the dead, as well as for their bravery. (Worthington)
31:12
Burnt them, or the flesh, reserving the ashes and bones to be buried, as was customary among the Greeks (Homer, ps.) and Romans: -----Sed caenam funeris hoeres Negliget iratus quod rem curtaveris; urnae Ossa inodora dabit. (Persius. vi.) See Amos 6:10. Jonathan insinuates, that they burnt over the bodies aromatic spices.
31:13
Wood. 1 Paralipomenon 10:12., under the oak.
Salien
Days, at their own option. David fasted one day, (Calmet) as he did for Abner. (Salien)
Calmet
There was no obligation of mourning for the kings, though it is probable that those near the royal city, would shew this mark of attention to the deceased monarch. See Jeremias 34:5., and 2 Paralipomenon 35:25. The usual term of mourning was seven days, Ecclesiasticus 22:13. (Calmet)
Haydock
It is very difficult to ascertain the length of Saul's reign. Sanctius and Tirinus allow him only 2 years; Petau 12; Calvisius 15; Salien 18; Bucholeer, and probably Josephus 20, though most copies of the latter have 38; St. Augustine, Serarius, Usher, etc., 40, which is the term mentioned [in] Acts 13:20. But most chronologers suppose that the time of Samuel's administration is there also included. (Haydock)
Sulpitius thinks that Saul only "reigned a very short time," as "the ark was brought to Cariathiarim before he appeared on the throne, and was removed by David, after it had been there twenty years."
31:13
THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL, OTHERWISE CALLED THE SECOND BOOK OF KINGS
This Book relates the transactions from the death of Saul until the end of David’s reign, being a history for the space of about forty-six years.
31:4
Saul killing himself after that he was wounded 〈◊〉 his enimies signifieth those that being ouercome by tentations desperatly persist, & wilfully die in their sinne. S. Greg. ••o 10
31:11
These men are cōmendable for gratitude towards Saul, who had deliuered them. ch. 11. for a vvorke of mercie in burying the dead: for pietie towards their king and princes, and for fortitude in atchiuing so heroical an act.
31:2
2. AND THEY SLEW JONATHAN AND ABINADAB, AND MELCHISUA THE SONS OF SAUL. — This was done by the counsel of God, so that, all the sons of Saul being slain, he might clear and level the way to the kingdom for David: for Isboseth, the fourth son of Saul, remaining at home seemed less warlike, and unfit for a kingdom entangled in so many wars.
31:4
4. AND HE FELL UPON IT. — From this it is clear that Saul killed himself. Josephus and Rabbi Levi deny this; but these are fables fabricated in honor of Saul. For the Hebrew, Septuagint, Chaldean and Latin texts clearly state that Saul died by falling upon his sword. This was a just judgment of God, that Saul should turn upon himself the sword which he had unjustly drawn against David, as Nero did in the same year in which he had killed Sts. Peter and Paul, indeed in the same month of June recurring, killing himself. "By the sword," says Hugo, "which he had spared against the Amalekites contrary to the Lord's command in chapter xv, he justly killed himself; if anyone who has received power for the common good either does not use it or abuses it, he surely pierces himself with his own sword." Whence also before the Amalekite whom he had spared, he killed himself, and the Amalekite himself took the diadem and brought it to David, as will be said in the following chapter. Thus tropologically, in the hour of death the passions and vices which you have neglected to kill and mortify in life will afflict you, and will take from you glory, peace, present and eternal life; for these are our Amalekites.
Did Saul Sin by Killing Himself? You will ask, did Saul sin by killing himself? Josephus and the Rabbis deny it, and indeed praise Saul for his greatness of soul. Thus Cato killed himself, lest he fall into the hands of Julius Caesar as victor, whom Seneca therefore praises. But orthodox faith condemns this opinion, and indeed philosophers of better repute, such as Plato in the Phaedo and Aristotle. The reason is, because man is not master of his own life, but God is; therefore he cannot take it from himself, indeed from God. Second, because God gave us soul and life in custody, so that by its use we might serve God and give Him praise. Third, because God has appointed to each one the day and manner both of being born and of dying. Fourth, because by the fifth precept of the Decalogue: "Thou shalt not kill," it is forbidden, indeed more so, that anyone kill himself than another. Fifth, because he who kills himself does injury to the Commonwealth. See St. Augustine, book I of the City of God: "We say this, we assert this: no one ought to inflict voluntary death upon himself as if fleeing temporal troubles, lest he fall into eternal ones. No one on account of another's sins. No one on account of his own past sins, for which rather this life is needed, so that they might be healed by repentance. No one from desire of a better life, which is hoped for after death, because a better life after death does not receive those guilty of their own death." Furthermore, that Saul, Cato and the like killed themselves to avoid servitude or infamy was a sign of a soul not strong and great, but soft and cowardly. Nor did Saul escape the ignominy of the Philistines; for when he was dead they mocked his corpse, as is clear from verses 9 and 10; indeed they cut off Saul's head and hung it in the temple of Dagon as if an anathema.
Was Saul Damned? You will ask, was Saul damned? The Hebrews and Lyran deny it, and think that he repented and was saved. But others commonly assert that he was damned, and namely Eucherius, Bede, Rupert, Abulensis, Dionysius, Cajetan, Serarius, Salianus, and St. Bernard. The reason is, because he died in the sin of magic, by which a little before the conflict he had consulted the Pythoness, indeed in the very act of the crime by which he killed himself, so that he had neither the will nor the time to repent. Wherefore with Achitophel and Judas he seems to be damned. It is otherwise with Jonathan, who throughout his whole life conducted himself excellently, fighting for the Israelites and protecting David against Saul, and died in a meritorious act, namely fighting for his country; whence he seems to be saved. All these things are confirmed from I Paralipomenon x, 13, where it is said: "So Saul died for his iniquities, because he transgressed the commandment of the Lord, which He had commanded, and kept it not; but moreover also consulted a Pythoness; and hoped not in the Lord; therefore He slew him, and transferred his kingdom to David the son of Isai." He was pious and fortunate at the beginning of his reign, but impious and unfortunate at its end; so that it might be an example and mirror for posterity, which all, but especially kings and princes, should frequently gaze upon.
31:5
5. WHEN HIS ARMOR-BEARER SAW THIS. — The Hebrews fable that this armor-bearer of Saul was Doeg the Idumean, of whom in chapter xxii, 18.
31:11
11. WHEN THE INHABITANTS OF JABESH GILEAD HEARD OF IT, THEY TOOK THE BODY OF SAUL. — They did this out of gratitude to Saul: for Saul had freed them from Naas king of Ammon, chapter xi, verse 1.
31:12
AND THEY BURNED THEM. — For the Hebrews burned the bodies of their kings, lest, while the pomp of royal funeral was being prepared for many days, they should rot unburied. Here therefore the body of Saul, killed before the third day and therefore putrefying, they burned, and then buried the remaining bones in a grove. Thus they burned the body of King Asa with aromatics, II Paralipomenon xvi, 14.
31:13
13. AND THEY FASTED SEVEN DAYS — not only on account of sorrow and mourning, but also to offer suffrages for Saul's soul; for they did not know that he had killed himself and died in mortal sin, but rather hoped well and piously for his salvation. Thus Bede, who also adds: "In this way too the pious race of Christians mourns those who, struggling against demons, fall in the world, which is slippery; for Gilboa indeed means slippery mountains."
Synchronism with Profane History As to the synchronism of profane history, under Samuel and Saul there reigned at Athens Codrus, who, hearing from an oracle that the Athenians would be victorious in battle if he himself should fall in it, offered himself to death and slaughter for his country, and thus sanctified victory and dominion by his death; at that time also the kingdom of the Sicyonians and Mycenaeans came to an end, and the Corinthian kingdom began. Thus Eusebius in his Chronicle. Saul died two years after Samuel, according to Clement of Alexandria, Bede, Josephus, Abulensis, Salianus and others.
Machine translation from the Latin, not reviewed.
31:1
Jezreel ("God sows", an allusion to the fertility of its soil)
JEZREEL ("God sows", an allusion to the fertility of its soil). - A city in the territory of Issachar (Josh. 19:18), fortified with walls, towers and gates (II Kings 9:17; 10:8) at the foot of Mount Gilboa and not far from Bethshan (I Sam. 31:1, 10).
Saul (Heb. Šāʾūl "Obtained with Prayer")
… shade of Samuel, who predicted the defeat (ibid. 28, 8-23). The next day Israel was routed by the Philistines at Aphek on Gilboa, and with many others 3 sons of S. fell (Jonathan, Abinadab, Malchishua); S. threw himself upon his spear (ibid. 29, 1; 31, 1-13). David mourned him greatly (II Sam. 1, 1-27). Another son of S., Ish-bosheth (v.), supported by Abner, would later reign two years over Israel.
31:7
A junction of the roads that linked the Empires of the East to those of the West, it was always a favored field of battle, with the memories of the famous victories of Thutmose III, of Barak (Judg. 4:5), of Gideon (Judg. 7:1), of the Philistines against King Saul (1 Sam. 31:7), of Ahab over the Arameans (2 Kings 20:26), of the pharaoh Necho over Josiah (2 Kings 23:29), in modern times of Saladin, of Kléber and Napoleon.
31:8
Beth-shan (Hebrew Beth-Šē'ān or Beth-Šān; Septuagint Βαθθάγ, Βηθάγ; Arabic Bejān)
… assigned to the tribe of Manasseh (Jos. 17, 11), but it could not be taken (ibid. 17, 12, 16; Iudc. 1, 27). At the death of Saul it seems to have been in the hands of the Philistines, who hung the corpse of Saul and of his three sons on the walls of B. (I Sam. 31, 8-12; II Sam. 21, 12). Under Solomon it appears annexed to the kingdom of Israel, and forms part of the fifth prefecture together with Megiddo and Ta'annak (I Reg. 4, 12). In the Hellenistic …
31:10
Ascalon (Heb. 'Alqelôn; Assyr. Asqalâna; Egyp. Asqalna; mod. Arab. Hirbet 'Asqalân)
… It was devoted to the worship of the Hittite-form deity Derceto (Atargatis) and of Astarte (Herodotus, I, 105); perhaps the temple of Astarte, of which there is mention in 1 Sam. 31:10, was at A. After Alexander's conquest, it became a center of Hellenistic culture (noteworthy is the philosopher Antiochus, teacher of Cicero). …
… The Philistines too paid cult to the goddess, as the temple of A. at Beth-shan demonstrates, in which the weapons of Saul, killed in the battle of Gilboa, were placed (1 Sam. 31:10). She was also worshiped among the Moabites, as is gathered from the stele of King Mesha, in which (line 17) the name 'Aštart-Kemof occurs. …
… From the Old Testament it is known that at Gaza and Ashdod the god Dagon was worshiped (v.; cf. Judg. 16:23; 1 Sam. 5:1-7; 1 Macc. 10:83 ff.); at Ashkelon the cult of Atargatis or Derketo was practiced, a more recent designation of the goddess Astarte (cf. 1 Sam. 31:10), and at Ekron that of Baal-zebub (Aram. …
31:11
1. A Transjordanian Israelite city, commonly called Jabesh-Gilead (Judg. 21:8, 10, 12, 41; 1 Sam. 11:1, 9; 31:11; 2 Sam. 2:4, 5; 21:12; 1 Chron. 10:11), sometimes simply Jabesh (1 Sam. 11:3, 5, 18, etc.).
… Exceptional and due to foreign influences was embalming (cf. for Joseph: Gen. 50, 25) and cremation, due to contingent circumstances (cf. for Saul and his sons: I Sam. 31, 11-13; for a grave pestilence: Am. 6, 10).
31:13
… inhabitants of Jabesh made it their duty promptly to recover the corpse of the latter, decapitated and hung by the Philistines on the walls of Beth-shan, and then to cremate it and bury it together with those of his sons, beneath a tree well known to Jabesh (1 Sam. 31:13; 1 Chron. 10:12).
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · Vulgata Clementina · original Douay-Rheims (Douay 1609-10), transcription by EEBO-TCP (CC0) · La Sacra Bibbia, tradotta dalla Volgata da Antonio Martini (1769-1781) (LaParola (laparola.net), Martini OSIS text, Public domain (LaParola's electronic edition marks it 'Dominio pubblico')). Public domain.