1 Samuel 31:3
And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers.
Original Language Analysis
וַתִּכְבַּ֤ד
went sore
H3513
וַתִּכְבַּ֤ד
went sore
Strong's:
H3513
Word #:
1 of 11
to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
הַמִּלְחָמָה֙
And the battle
H4421
הַמִּלְחָמָה֙
And the battle
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
2 of 11
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
שָׁא֔וּל
against Saul
H7586
שָׁא֔וּל
against Saul
Strong's:
H7586
Word #:
4 of 11
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
וַיִּמְצָאֻ֥הוּ
hit
H4672
וַיִּמְצָאֻ֥הוּ
hit
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
5 of 11
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
מֵֽהַמּוֹרִֽים׃
and the archers
H3384
מֵֽהַמּוֹרִֽים׃
and the archers
Strong's:
H3384
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, to flow as water (i.e., to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e., to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by
אֲנָשִׁ֣ים
H582
אֲנָשִׁ֣ים
Strong's:
H582
Word #:
7 of 11
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
בַּקָּ֑שֶׁת
H7198
בַּקָּ֑שֶׁת
Strong's:
H7198
Word #:
8 of 11
a bow, for shooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris
וַיָּ֥חֶל
wounded
H2342
וַיָּ֥חֶל
wounded
Strong's:
H2342
Word #:
9 of 11
properly, to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e., (specifically) to dance, to writhe in pain (especially of parturition) or fear; fi
Historical Context
Philistine archers represented advanced military technology in this period. The composite bow provided range and penetrating power that made it effective against armored opponents. Saul's wounds were serious enough to prevent escape but not immediately fatal.
Questions for Reflection
- How do the instruments of our own judgment sometimes mirror our past behavior?
- What happens when those who refused God's way face their final moments?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The narrative focuses on Saul's personal fate: 'the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him.' The Hebrew 'hammorim anashim baqqasheth' (men who shoot with the bow) identifies the weapon causing Saul's mortal wounds. The description 'wayyachel me'od' (was greatly wounded, in anguish) indicates he was incapacitated but not immediately killed. His suffering precedes his final decision. The archer who once threw javelins at David now falls to arrows.