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.

1 SAMUEL 31:8KJV
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1 Samuel 31:8 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 31:8 mean?

1 Samuel 31:8 describes how, the day after a battle, the Philistines came to take valuables from the dead soldiers and discovered the bodies of King Saul and his three sons on Mount Gilboa. This verse marks the moment when Saul’s defeat and death are confirmed by his enemies.

The verse is set just after a major battle between Israel and the Philistines. The Philistines, who were enemies of Israel, returned to the battlefield the next day to strip the slain (take weapons, armor, or valuables from the dead). In doing so, they found the fallen bodies of Saul and his sons, confirming the end of Saul’s reign and the tragic loss for Israel.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 31:8

  • "morrow" (מָחָר, machar): This word means "the next day" or "tomorrow." Its use here shows that the Philistines waited until the day after the battle to return, likely for safety and to ensure the fighting was over.
  • "strip" (פָּשַׁט, pashat): This verb means to remove clothing or armor. In the context of ancient battles, stripping the slain was a common practice to collect valuables or trophies from the defeated.
  • "slain" (חָלָל, chalal): This word refers to those killed in battle. It emphasizes the grim reality of the aftermath and the cost of the conflict.
  • "fallen" (נָפַל, naphal): This verb means "to fall," often used for dying in battle. It underlines that Saul and his sons died in combat, not by accident or natural causes.

Why 1 Samuel 31:8 matters

  • This verse confirms the death of Saul and his sons, which is a turning point in Israel’s history and sets the stage for David to become king.
  • The detail that the Philistines found Saul’s body, rather than the Israelites, highlights the humiliation and loss for Israel, as their king’s death is discovered and handled by their enemies.
  • The mention of Mount Gilboa connects to earlier warnings and prophecies about Saul’s downfall, showing the fulfillment of what had been foretold.

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:

“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 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.