1 Samuel 31:2
ESV
And the Philistines overtook Saul and his sons, and the Philistines struck down Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul.
NIV
The Philistines were in hot pursuit of Saul and his sons, and they killed his sons Jonathan, Abinadab and Malki-Shua.
NASB
And the Philistines also overtook Saul and his sons, and the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul.
CSB
The Philistines pursued Saul and his sons and killed his sons, Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua.
NLT
The Philistines closed in on Saul and his sons, and they killed three of his sons — Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malkishua.
KJV
And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul's sons.
NKJV
Then the Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons. And the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul’s sons.
What does 1 Samuel 31:2 mean?
By God's grace and supernatural power, King Saul was given one last prophecy about his rule. This came from a spirit, supposedly that of Samuel, summoned by a witch at Saul's request:"The Lord has done to you as he spoke by me, for the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day. Moreover, the Lord will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The Lord will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines" (1 Samuel 28:17–19).Those words come to pass within the space of a day. The Philistine forces overwhelm the outnumbered Israelites on Mount Gilboa. Soon they catch up to three of Saul's sons. They kill David's loyal friend Jonathan (1 Samuel 18:1–4), along with his brothers Abinadab and Malchi-shua. Saul survives only a bit longer.
Saul has other sons. After David is anointed king of the tribe of Judah (2 Samuel 2:4), Abner, Saul's nephew, will declare Ish-bosheth king over the rest of Israel. After a civil war and a good amount of treachery, Abner and Ish-bosheth will be murdered (2 Samuel 3:26–30; 4:5–6). David will give Armoni and Mephibosheth—not Jonathan's son—to the Gibeonites in exchange for the evil Saul did to them (2 Samuel 21:5–9).
