1 Samuel – Chapter 31

Old Testament13 Verses

Chapter Summary

1 Samuel 31 opens with the words: "And the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gelboe." The chapter centers on Saul and Jonathan. Its 13 verses return again and again to family and covenant relationships. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1And the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gelboe.

2And the Philistines fell upon Saul, and upon his sons, and they slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Melchisua, the sons of Saul.

3And the whole weight of the battle was turned upon Saul: and the archers overtook him, and he was grievously wounded by the archers.

4Then Saul said to his armourbearer: Draw thy sword, and kill me: lest these uncircumcised come, and slay me, and mock at me. And his armourbearer would not: for he was struck with exceeding great fear. Then Saul took his sword, and fell upon it.

5And when his armourbearer saw this, to wit, that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died with him.

6So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men that same day together.

7And the men of Israel, that were beyond the valley, and beyond the Jordan, seeing that the Israelites were fled, and that Saul was dead, and his sons, forsook their cities, and fled: and the Philistines came and dwelt there.

8And on the morrow the Philistines came to strip the slain, and they found Saul and his three sons lying in mount Gelboe.

9And they cut off Saul's head, and stripped him of his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the temples of their idols and among their people.

10And they put his armour in the temple of Astaroth, but his body they hung on the wall of Bethsan.

11Now when the inhabitants of Jabes Galaad had heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul,

12All the most valiant men arose, and walked all the night, and took the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, from the wall of Bethsan: and they came to Jabes Galaad, and burnt them there.

13And they took their bones, and buried them in the wood of Jabes: and fasted seven days.

Important Verses in 1 Samuel 31

And the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gelboe.

1 Samuel 31:1

And when his armourbearer saw this, to wit, that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died with him.

1 Samuel 31:5

And on the morrow the Philistines came to strip the slain, and they found Saul and his three sons lying in mount Gelboe.

1 Samuel 31:8

And they took their bones, and buried them in the wood of Jabes: and fasted seven days.

1 Samuel 31:13

Historical Context

1 Samuel addresses israel reflecting on the origins and meaning of kingship under God within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 31 of 31 brings the book to its close, gathering up themes introduced earlier. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 13 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Historical attention falls on Saul and Jonathan, the principal figures named in this chapter. It opens with the line: "And the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain…" It concludes: "And they took their bones, and buried them in the wood of Jabes: and fasted seven days. " The wider setting of 1 Samuel is this: First Samuel narrates Israel's transition from the age of the judges to the monarchy: the birth and call of Samuel, the demand for a king, the tragic reign of Saul, and the rise of David. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Events of the 11th century BC; compiled during the monarchy or exile.

Who Wrote It

Traditions associated with Samuel, Nathan, and Gad, compiled by later inspired editors

When It Was Written

Events of the 11th century BC; compiled during the monarchy or exile

Catholic Commentary

Read at the narrative level, this chapter describes real persons, decisions, and consequences within the transition from judges to monarchy. A pivotal line is verse 1: "And the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gelboe." The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 1700). Here, the anointing of kings prefigures Christ, the Anointed One (CIC 436). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize family and covenant relationships as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.

People in This Chapter

Saul12 mentionsJonathan1 mention

Reflection for Today

When the Church proclaims 1 Samuel Chapter 31 at Mass or in the Liturgy of the Hours, she treats this text as the living voice of God.

In the four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—the Church finds rich meaning in 1 Samuel Chapter 31. At the moral level, discernment and obedience to God challenges us to examine conscience and amend our lives (CIC 1032).

As you continue through 1 Samuel, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 1 Samuel Chapter 31 about?

1 Samuel 31 contains 13 verses. It opens with "And the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain…" and closes with "And they took their bones, and buried them in the wood of Jabes: and fasted seven days. ". The book as a whole is historical narrative.

What is a key verse in 1 Samuel 31?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "And the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gelboe." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in 1 Samuel Chapter 31?

This chapter mentions Saul, Jonathan.

Who wrote 1 Samuel and when?

Traditions associated with Samuel, Nathan, and Gad, compiled by later inspired editors. Events of the 11th century BC; compiled during the monarchy or exile.

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