1 Samuel 31:5 - Printer Friendly

What does 1 Samuel 31:5 mean?

ESV: And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died with him.

NIV: When the armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his sword and died with him.

NASB: When his armor bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword and died with him.

CSB: When his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his own sword and died with him.

NLT: When his armor bearer realized that Saul was dead, he fell on his own sword and died beside the king.

KJV: And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him.

NKJV: And when his armorbearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword, and died with him.

Verse Commentary:

King Saul is dead. He had fought the Philistines for decades, but God is firmly against him. Three of his sons have been killed, along with much of his army. When God is against you, you cannot win (1 Samuel 31:1–4).

Gravely wounded by Philistine archers, Saul has ended his own life. He did this to avoid being publicly tortured or humiliated by his captors (1 Samuel 31:4). The armor-bearer who could not or would not obey Saul's order to kill him now joins his king by killing himself, as well. The text doesn't suggest that Saul's armor-bearer was injured. He seems to choose to end his life either to avoid being mistreated by the Philistines or perhaps out of honor. He was unable to protect Saul from harm and unwilling to end Saul's life when commanded to do so.

This example of suicide is complicated. Saul knew he would die that very day (1 Samuel 28:17–19). There was no chance God would save him. And yet, he still honorably engaged in the battle. His death would prevent the enemy from torturing him and terrorizing the soldiers he led. But his death was not a sacrifice that would save lives. It was purely an escape from something Saul thought would be unbearable. In the end, both Saul and his servant committed the sin of self-murder.

Some say suicide disqualifies that person from salvation, since it's a serious sin and it's impossible to repent afterwards. That's not what the Bible says. Nor is that how salvation works. Salvation in every era is by grace through faith in the promises of God (Ephesians 2:8–9; Hebrews 11:6). It's possible to have faith for salvation but lack faith that God will make life bearable. Once someone is saved, their sins are all forgiven: past, present, and future. Repentance of individual sins mends the person's relationship with God; repentance for individual sins isn't necessary for salvation, and it's not possible: we can't remember every sin we commit.

If Saul and his armor-bearer were not saved, it's because they didn't have faith in God's grace. It's not because, caught in the heat of battle, surrounded by their enemies, they chose to die by their own hands.

If you, too, don't have faith that God can come alongside of you and give you strength for this life, please reach out:

National Hopeline Network: 1–800–422-HOPE (4673)

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988

To Write Love on Her Arms: http://twloha.com/find-help

Befrienders.org: http://www.befrienders.org/directory

Suicide hotlines available in most countries: http://www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html

First Samuel 31:1–7 records King Saul's death. When he first saw the Philistine army, he became so terrified that he asked a medium to bring up the late prophet Samuel. Samuel told him he and his sons would die (1 Samuel 28:5–19). His greatest fear—that David will be king instead of Jonathan—is about to come true (1 Samuel 20:30–31; 2 Samuel 5:3). Severely wounded, Saul commits suicide rather than being killed by enemy soldiers. The fall of King Saul is also recorded in 1 Chronicles 10:1–6.

Chapter Summary:

Philistines overwhelm the outnumbered Israelites. Soldiers kill three of Saul's sons, and archers critically wound Saul. When his armor-bearer refuses to end Saul's life, Saul commits suicide. The Philistines behead Saul's body, display his armor in a temple of their goddess, and hang his and his son's bodies on public display. The men of Jabesh-gilead retrieve the bodies and respectfully bury them.

Chapter Context:

The reign of Saul ends. Saul knows his time has come. His son will not inherit the crown (2 Samuel 15:28). The Philistine force is too great (1 Samuel 28:5). He and his sons will die today (1 Samuel 28:19). By the end of the battle, Saul and three of his sons are dead. Soon, Judah will crown David as king (2 Samuel 2:4). After a brief civil war, David will be king over all Israel (2 Samuel 5:3).

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.

Accessed 10/7/2025 4:42:20 AM