Matthew Henry Commentary 1 Samuel 31
Matthew Henry Commentary
1 Samuel 31
Matthew Henry Commentary
1 Samuel 31
"Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul. And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers overtook him; and he was greatly distressed by reason of the archers. Then said Saul to his armorbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armorbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took his sword, and fell upon it. And when his armorbearer saw that Saul was dead, he likewise fell upon his sword, and died with him. So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armorbearer, and all his men, that same day together. And when the men of Israel that were on the other side of the valley, and they that were beyond the Jordan, saw that the men of Israel fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities, and fled; and the Philistines came and dwelt in them." — 1 Samuel 31:1-7 (ASV)
We cannot judge the spiritual or eternal state of anyone by the manner of their death; for in that regard, there is one event to the righteous and to the wicked.
Saul, when severely wounded and unable to resist or flee, expressed no concern about his never-dying soul; but only desired that the Philistines would not insult him or cause him pain, and he became his own murderer.
As it is the grand deceit of the devil to persuade sinners, when under great difficulties, to resort to this last act of desperation, it is good to fortify the mind against it by a serious consideration of its sinfulness before God and its miserable consequences in society.
But our security is not in ourselves. Let us seek protection from Him who keepeth Israel. Let us watch and pray; and take unto us the whole armour of God, that we may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
"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. And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armor, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to carry the tidings unto the house of their idols, and to the people. And they put his armor in the house of the Ashtaroth; and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan. And when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard concerning him that which the Philistines had done to Saul, 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 Beth-shan; and they came to Jabesh, and burnt them there. And they took their bones, and buried them under the tamarisk-tree in Jabesh, and fasted seven days." — 1 Samuel 31:8-13 (ASV)
The Scripture does not mention what became of the souls of Saul and his sons after they were dead, but only of their bodies. Secret things do not belong to us.
It is of little consequence by what means we die, or what is done with our dead bodies. If our souls are saved, our bodies will be raised incorruptible and glorious. But not to fear His wrath, who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell, is the extreme of folly and wickedness.
How useless is the respect of fellow human beings to those who are suffering the wrath of God! While pompous funerals, grand monuments, and the praises of men, honour the memory of the deceased, the soul may be suffering in the regions of darkness and despair!
Let us seek that honour which comes from God only.
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