Chapter 31

31:3  And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers.

hit him

Cf. 2 Samuel 1:10 ; 21:12 . The order is:

(1) Saul is "hit"--wounded mortally, potentially "slain," by the Philistines;

(2) either to escape agony, or insult by the enemy, he falls upon his sword, and his armour-bearer, supposing him to be dead, slew himself;

(3) but Saul was not dead; raising himself upon his spear, he besought the Amalekite to put him to death. 2 Samuel 1:10 ; 21:12 .

31:12  All the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Bethshan, and came to Jabesh, and burnt them there.

burnt Contra. 2 Chronicles 16:14 .