Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.

1 SAMUEL 31:1KJV
Know the Bible

1 Samuel 31:1 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 31:1 mean?

1 Samuel 31:1 describes a battle where the Philistines fought against Israel, causing the Israelite soldiers to flee and many to be killed on Mount Gilboa. This verse sets the scene for Israel’s defeat and the tragic events that follow in the final chapter of Saul’s life.

The verse is part of a historical account, not a speech, and it reports the outcome of a major clash between the Philistines and Israel. The focus is on the location—Mount Gilboa—and the overwhelming loss suffered by Israel, which leads directly into the deaths of King Saul and his sons in the verses that follow.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 31:1

  • פְּלִשְׁתִּים (P'lishtim, "Philistines"): This word refers to Israel’s main enemy in this period. The Philistines were a powerful group living along the coastal region, often in conflict with Israel.
  • נָס (nas, "fled"): This verb emphasizes that the Israelite soldiers did not just retreat but ran away in fear and disorder, showing the scale of their defeat.
  • הָר (har, "mount"): The mention of Mount Gilboa is significant because it becomes the setting for the downfall of Saul and his army, marking a turning point in Israel’s history.

Why 1 Samuel 31:1 matters

  • 1 Samuel 31:1 marks the beginning of the end for King Saul, providing the immediate context for his death and the loss of his sons, which shapes the transition to David’s kingship.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness of Israel’s defeat, not just as a military loss but as a national crisis that affects the entire people and their leadership.
  • By naming Mount Gilboa, the verse ties the event to a specific place in Israel’s landscape, making the defeat a memorable and mournful landmark in Israel’s collective memory.

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.
  • 2 Samuel 1:6 And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.
  • 2 Samuel 21:12 And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabeshgilead, which had stolen them from the street of Bethshan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa:

“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 10:1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.
  • Ezekiel 11:6 Ye have multiplied your slain in this city, and ye have filled the streets thereof with the slain.

“fled” Hebrew H5127 · used in 143 verses

  • Genesis 14:10 And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.
  • Judges 8:12 And when Zebah and Zalmunna fled, he pursued after them, and took the two kings of Midian, Zebah and Zalmunna, and discomfited all the host.
  • 1 Chronicles 19:14 So Joab and the people that were with him drew nigh before the Syrians unto the battle; and they fled before him.