The Tragic End of Saul and His Sons

31 Now athe Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell slain on Mount bGilboa. 2 Then the Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons. And the Philistines killed cJonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul’s sons. 3 dThe battle became fierce against Saul. The archers 1hit him, and he was severely wounded by the archers.

4 eThen Saul said to his armorbearer, “Draw your sword, and thrust me through with it, lest fthese uncircumcised men come and thrust me through and 2abuse me.”

But his armorbearer would not, gfor he was greatly afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword and hfell on it. 5 And when his armorbearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell on his sword, and died with him. 6 So Saul, his three sons, his armorbearer, and all his men died together that same day.

7 And when the men of Israel who were on the other side of the valley, and those who were on the other side of the Jordan, saw that the men of Israel had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.