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1 Chronicles 10:4

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Chronicles 10:4 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then said Saul unto his armor-bearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith, lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armor-bearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took his sword, and fell upon it.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then said Saul unto his armor-bearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith, lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armor-bearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took his sword, and fell upon it.
1 Chronicles 10:4 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Chronicles 10

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.
2And the Philistines followed hard after Saul and after his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul.
3And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers overtook him; and he was distressed by reason of the archers.
4Then said Saul unto his armor-bearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith, lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armor-bearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took his sword, and fell upon it.
5And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell upon his sword, and died.
6So Saul died, and his three sons; and all his house died together.
7And when all the men of Israel that were in the valley saw that they fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook their cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.
← 1 Chronicles 10:31 Chronicles 10:5 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“his armour-bearer would not; for he was sore afraid--He was, of course, placed in the same perilous condition as Saul. But it is probable that the feelings that restrained him from complying with Saul's wish were a profound respect for royalty, mingled with apprehension of the shock which such a catastrophe would give to the national feelings and interests.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Draw: Jdg 9:54 uncircumcised: Jdg 15:18; Sa1 14:6, Sa1 17:26, Sa1 17:36; Sa2 1:20 abuse: or mock, Jdg 16:21, Jdg 16:23-25 he was: Sa1 31:4; Sa2 1:14-16 Saul took: Ch1 10:5; Sa2 1:9, Sa2 1:10, Sa2 17:23; Kg1 16:18; Mat 27:4, Mat 27:5; Act 1:18, Act 16:27 1 Chronicles 10:6”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification