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1 Samuel 31:5

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 31:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And when his armorbearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell upon his sword, and died with him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And when his armorbearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell upon his sword, and died with him.
1 Samuel 31:5 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 31

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul.
3And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers overtook him; and he was greatly distressed by reason of the archers.
4Then said Saul to his armorbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armorbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took his sword, and fell upon it.
5And when his armorbearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell upon his sword, and died with him.
6So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armorbearer, and all his men, that same day together.
7And when the men of Israel that were on the other side of the valley, and they that were beyond the Jordan, saw that the men of Israel fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.
8And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen in mount Gilboa.
← 1 Samuel 31:41 Samuel 31:6 →
← Full Chapter 31 1 Samuel Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, etc.] By his own hands, and not by the hands of the Amalekite, which the armour bearer would scarcely have suffered: he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him; some think that Saul, and his armourbearer, died by the same sword, which was the armourbearer’s; and if he was Doeg, they fell probably by the same sword with which the priests of the Lord were murdered at Nob, (<092218>1 Samuel 22:18); and it is observed by an historian f568, that the murderers of Julius Caesar slew themselves with the same dagger they destroyed him.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Ch1 10:5 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 31:6”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification