And the Philistines followed hard after Saul, and after his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul.

1 CHRONICLES 10:2KJV
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1 Chronicles 10:2 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 10:2 mean?

1 Chronicles 10:2 describes how the Philistines pursued Saul and his sons during a battle, and killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, who were Saul’s sons. The verse highlights the defeat of Saul’s family at the hands of their enemies.

This verse is part of the account of King Saul’s final battle with the Philistines, where the Israelites are losing ground. The writer is narrating the events that led to the downfall of Saul’s house, focusing on the loss of his sons as a key moment in the story. The deaths of Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua show the collapse of Saul’s royal line and set the stage for the rise of David.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 10:2

  • The word for “followed hard” is דָּבַק (davaq), which means to cling, stick closely, or pursue intensely. This emphasizes how relentless the Philistines were in chasing Saul and his sons, not just a casual pursuit but a determined one.
  • The word for “slew” is נָכָה (nakah), which means to strike or kill. This word often carries the sense of a decisive or fatal blow, underlining the finality of what happened to Saul’s sons.

Why 1 Chronicles 10:2 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Saul’s downfall was not only his own but also included the loss of his heirs, which had major implications for Israel’s leadership.
  • The mention of Jonathan by name reminds readers of the close friendship between Jonathan and David, and the sorrow that comes with his death.
  • By showing the Philistines’ determined pursuit, the verse sets a tone of total defeat for Saul’s family, explaining why a new king would soon be needed.

Where else these words appear

“Malchishua” Hebrew H4444 · used in 5 verses

  • 1 Samuel 14:49 Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchishua: and the names of his two daughters were these; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal:
  • 1 Samuel 31:2 And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul's sons.
  • 1 Chronicles 8:33 And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.

“Abinadab” Hebrew H41 · used in 11 verses

  • 1 Samuel 7:1 And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD.
  • 1 Samuel 31:2 And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul's sons.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:13 And Jesse begat his firstborn Eliab, and Abinadab the second, and Shimma the third,

“Jonathan” Hebrew H3129 · used in 35 verses

  • 1 Samuel 13:2 Saul chose him three thousand men of Israel; whereof two thousand were with Saul in Michmash and in mount Bethel, and a thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin: and the rest of the people he sent every man to his tent.
  • 1 Samuel 14:21 Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time, which went up with them into the camp from the country round about, even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan.
  • 1 Samuel 19:1 And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David.

“hard” Hebrew H1692 · used in 52 verses

  • Genesis 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
  • Judges 20:42 Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel unto the way of the wilderness; but the battle overtook them; and them which came out of the cities they destroyed in the midst of them.
  • Job 31:7 If my step hath turned out of the way, and mine heart walked after mine eyes, and if any blot hath cleaved to mine hands;