And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen in mount Gilboa.

1 CHRONICLES 10:8KJV
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1 Chronicles 10:8 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 10:8 mean?

1 Chronicles 10:8 describes how, the day after a major battle, the Philistines came to the battlefield to take valuables from the dead and found the bodies of Saul and his sons on Mount Gilboa. This verse shows the aftermath of Saul’s defeat and death, emphasizing the tragic end of Israel’s first king and his family.

The verse is part of a historical account written to record the fall of King Saul. The writer is describing what the Philistines did after their victory over Israel. The Philistines, who were long-time enemies of Israel, came to strip (take possessions from) the slain soldiers and discovered that Saul and his sons had died in the same place, highlighting the completeness of Israel’s loss.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 10:8

  • "Strip" (פָּשַׁט, pashat) means to remove clothing or armor, often after a battle. This word shows that the Philistines were not just checking the dead but actively taking valuables from them.
  • "Slain" (חָלָל, chalal) refers to those killed in battle. The use of this word underlines the violence and loss suffered by Israel.
  • "Fallen" (נָפַל, naphal) means to fall, often used for dying in battle. Here, it stresses that Saul and his sons died together in defeat, not just physically fallen but also fallen from power.

Why 1 Chronicles 10:8 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Saul and his sons died on the battlefield, not in private or in hiding, which underscores the public and national scale of their defeat.
  • The detail about the Philistines stripping the dead highlights the humiliation of Israel and the loss of royal dignity, setting the stage for the transition to David’s kingship.
  • By mentioning Mount Gilboa specifically, the verse connects to earlier warnings and prophecies about Saul’s downfall, showing the fulfillment of those words in a concrete place and time.

Where else these words appear

“Gilboa” Hebrew H1533 · used in 8 verses

  • 1 Samuel 28:4 And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa.
  • 1 Samuel 31:8 And 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.
  • 2 Samuel 1:21 Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.

“morrow” Hebrew H4283 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 19:34 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.
  • Numbers 11:32 And the people stood up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp.
  • 1 Samuel 5:4 And when they arose early on the morrow morning, behold, Dagon was fallen upon his face to the ground before the ark of the LORD; and the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off upon the threshold; only the stump of Dagon was left to him.

“strip” Hebrew H6584 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 37:23 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him;
  • 1 Samuel 27:10 And Achish said, Whither have ye made a road to day? And David said, Against the south of Judah, and against the south of the Jerahmeelites, and against the south of the Kenites.
  • Job 1:17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.

“slain” Hebrew H2491 · used in 85 verses

  • Genesis 34:27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister.
  • 1 Chronicles 5:22 For there fell down many slain, because the war was of God. And they dwelt in their steads until the captivity.
  • Ezekiel 11:6 Ye have multiplied your slain in this city, and ye have filled the streets thereof with the slain.