1 Samuel 31:10
And they put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּשִׂ֙ימוּ֙
And they put
H7760
וַיָּשִׂ֙ימוּ֙
And they put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
1 of 11
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כֵּלָ֔יו
his armour
H3627
כֵּלָ֔יו
his armour
Strong's:
H3627
Word #:
3 of 11
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
בֵּ֖ית
in the house
H1004
בֵּ֖ית
in the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
4 of 11
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
עַשְׁתָּר֑וֹת
of Ashtaroth
H6252
עַשְׁתָּר֑וֹת
of Ashtaroth
Strong's:
H6252
Word #:
5 of 11
ashtaroth, the name of a sidonian deity, and of a place east of the jordan
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
תָּֽקְע֔וּ
and they fastened
H8628
תָּֽקְע֔וּ
and they fastened
Strong's:
H8628
Word #:
8 of 11
to clatter, i.e., slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive (a nail or tent-pin, a dart, etc.); by implication, to become
Cross References
Joshua 17:11And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Beth-shean and her towns, and Ibleam and her towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, and the inhabitants of En-dor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and her towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns, even three countries.Judges 2:13And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.1 Samuel 21:9And the priest said, The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom thou slewest in the valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod: if thou wilt take that, take it: for there is no other save that here. And David said, There is none like that; give it me.
Historical Context
Beth-shan (modern Beit She'an) occupied a strategic position at the junction of the Jezreel and Jordan valleys. Its walls would have been visible to traffic on major routes. Chronicles adds that Saul's head was placed in the temple of Dagon.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the Philistines' religious interpretation of their victory reveal about spiritual warfare?
- How should believers understand enemy claims of divine favor in their victories?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The placement of Saul's armor 'in the house of Ashtaroth' specifically honors the Philistine goddess, while fastening his body to Beth-shan's wall publicly displays the corpse. Ashtaroth (Astarte) was the fertility and war goddess of Canaanite religion, making this dedication a theological statement. The public display at Beth-shan, a strategic city in the Jezreel Valley, ensured maximum humiliation. The king of Israel becomes trophy and propaganda for pagan religion.