1 Samuel 31:5

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version (1901)

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

Bible in Basic English

And when his servant saw that Saul was dead, he did the same, and was united with him in death.

Free Bible Version

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

King James (Authorized) Version

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

Translation for Translators

When the man carrying his weapons saw that Saul was dead, he also threw himself on his own sword and died.

Unlocked Literal Bible

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

Noah Webster Bible

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

World English Bible

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

Young's Literal Translation

And the bearer of his weapons seeth that Saul [is] dead, and he falleth — he also — on his sword, and dieth with him;

Context

Saul’s Overthrow and Death

⁴Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run it through me, or these uncircumcised men will come and run me through and torture me!” But his armor-bearer was terrified and refused to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it.⁵When his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his own sword and died with him.

Summary

This verse describes the tragic death of King Saul during a battle with the Philistines. Saul, realizing that he was critically wounded by the archers, chose to take his own life by falling on his own sword. This event marked the end of Saul's reign as the first king of Israel, fulfilling the prophecy of his downfall due to disobedience to God. The death of Saul paved the way for David to eventually become king, illustrating the consequences of Saul's actions and the sovereignty of God's plan.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead,.... 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, Sa1 22:18; and it is observed by an historian (d), that the murderers of Julius Caesar slew themselves with the same dagger they destroyed him. (d) Sucton. Vit. Caesar. c. 89.