1 Samuel 31:3 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 31:3 mean?

1 Samuel 31:3 describes how the battle became intense against Saul, and he was struck and badly wounded by enemy archers. The verse shows that Saul, the king of Israel, was seriously injured during the fighting as the archers targeted him.

The setting is the final battle between the Israelites, led by King Saul, and the Philistines. The verse narrates a turning point where Saul is not only losing the battle but is personally suffering, which leads to the tragic end of his reign. The focus is on Saul’s vulnerability and the severity of his wounds from the archers.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 31:3

• The word for "battle" is מִלְחָמָה (milchamah), which often refers to a large-scale conflict or war, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation Saul faced.
• "Sore" is כָּבֵד (kaved), meaning "heavy" or "severe," highlighting how overwhelming the battle was for Saul.
• "Archers" is a phrase made up of three Hebrew words: יָרֶה (yareh, "to shoot"), אִישׁ (ish, "man"), and קֶשֶׁת (qeshet, "bow"), together meaning "men who shoot bows." This points out that Saul was specifically targeted by skilled bowmen, not just random enemy soldiers.
• "Wounded" is חוּל (chul), which can mean "to writhe" or "to be in pain," suggesting Saul was not just hit but left in agony and unable to continue fighting.

Why 1 Samuel 31:3 matters

• The verse clarifies that Saul’s downfall was not immediate; he suffered a serious wound before his death, which sets up the events that follow in the chapter.
• By mentioning the archers specifically, the verse shows that Saul was singled out and targeted, underlining his importance and the Philistines’ intent to eliminate Israel’s leader.
• This moment connects to the larger story of Saul’s decline and the transition to David’s future kingship, marking the end of Saul’s rule and the beginning of a new chapter for Israel.