Saul's Request to His Armor-Bearer
Jump to: SubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Biblical Context:
Saul, the first king of Israel, finds himself in a dire situation during the battle against the Philistines on Mount Gilboa. The narrative of Saul's request to his armor-bearer is found in 1 Samuel 31:1-6 and is paralleled in 1 Chronicles 10:1-7. This event marks the tragic end of Saul's reign and life, highlighting themes of desperation, honor, and the consequences of disobedience to God.

Scriptural Account:
In 1 Samuel 31:3-4 , the text states: "When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him critically. Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, 'Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and torture me!' But his armor-bearer was terrified and refused to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it."

Analysis:
Saul's request to his armor-bearer is a poignant moment that underscores his desperation and fear of humiliation at the hands of the Philistines. The term "uncircumcised" reflects the deep-seated enmity between the Israelites and the Philistines, emphasizing the disgrace Saul feared. His plea to his armor-bearer reveals a concern for personal honor, even in the face of inevitable defeat.

The armor-bearer's refusal to comply with Saul's request is significant. It demonstrates a respect for the sanctity of life and possibly a fear of divine retribution for killing the Lord's anointed, as David had previously expressed in 1 Samuel 24:6. The armor-bearer's terror may also reflect the gravity of the situation and the moral dilemma he faced.

Theological Implications:
Saul's death is a culmination of his tragic downfall, which began with his disobedience to God's commands (1 Samuel 15:22-23). His request to his armor-bearer can be seen as a final act of desperation, devoid of the faith and trust in God that characterized earlier leaders like Moses and Joshua. Saul's life and death serve as a sobering reminder of the importance of obedience to God and the consequences of straying from His will.

Historical and Cultural Context:
In the ancient Near Eastern context, the role of an armor-bearer was to assist and protect a warrior, often forming a close bond with their master. The refusal of Saul's armor-bearer to kill him highlights the cultural and ethical norms of the time, where loyalty and duty were paramount, yet the taking of a king's life was a grave matter.

Legacy:
Saul's tragic end paved the way for David's rise to kingship, fulfilling God's plan for Israel. The narrative of Saul's request to his armor-bearer is a critical moment that illustrates the transition of power and the divine orchestration of Israel's history. Saul's life and death continue to be a subject of reflection on leadership, faith, and the human condition in the light of divine sovereignty.
Subtopics

Nepotism of Saul

Regicide of King Saul

Saul

Saul of Tarsus

Saul: Also Called Shaul: King of Edom

Saul: Hears Doeg Against Ahimelech

Saul: King of Israel is Defeated, and is Killed With some of his Sons

Saul: King of Israel is Reproved by Samuel for Usurping the Priestly Functions

Saul: King of Israel: A Benjamite, Son of Kish

Saul: King of Israel: David is Again Betrayed To, by the Ziphites

Saul: King of Israel: Dedicates the Spoils of War

Saul: King of Israel: Defeats the Philistines

Saul: King of Israel: Defeats the Philistines After Goliath is Killed by David

Saul: King of Israel: His Death is a Judgment on Account of his Sins

Saul: King of Israel: His Jealousy of David

Saul: King of Israel: His Kingdom Invaded by Philistines

Saul: King of Israel: His Life Spared by David

Saul: King of Israel: His Personal Appearance

Saul: King of Israel: Kills the Gibeonites; Crime Avenged by the Death of Seven of his Sons

Saul: King of Israel: Lives at Gibeah of Saul

Saul: King of Israel: Made King of Israel

Saul: King of Israel: Pursues David to En-Gedi

Saul: King of Israel: Samuel Rebukes Him for Disobedience by not Exterminating the Amalekites

Saul: King of Israel: Saul's Contrition for his Bad Faith

Saul: King of Israel: Sons of

Saul: King of Israel: Strikes the Amalekites

Saul: King of Israel: Their Bodies Exposed in Beth-Shan

Saul: King of Israel: Tries to Kill David

Saul: Sends Messengers to Jesse, Asking That David be Sent to Him As a Musician and an Armor-Bearer

Trophies: Saul's

Related Terms

Troph'imus (3 Occurrences)

Tychicus (5 Occurrences)

Ephesus (20 Occurrences)

Sick (117 Occurrences)

Gaius (5 Occurrences)

Ga'ius (5 Occurrences)

Wall (227 Occurrences)

Infirm (25 Occurrences)

Tych'icus (5 Occurrences)

Timotheus (24 Occurrences)

Thessalo'nians (3 Occurrences)

Eras'tus (3 Occurrences)

Erastus (3 Occurrences)

Ephesian (4 Occurrences)

Middle (169 Occurrences)

Miletus (3 Occurrences)

Miletum (1 Occurrence)

Mile'tus (3 Occurrences)

Partition (4 Occurrences)

Previously (44 Occurrences)

Pyrrhus (1 Occurrence)

Berean (1 Occurrence)

Berea (4 Occurrences)

Beroe'a (3 Occurrences)

Beroean (1 Occurrence)

Asiatics (1 Occurrence)

Accompanying (5 Occurrences)

Aristarchus (6 Occurrences)

Area (66 Occurrences)

Aristar'chus (6 Occurrences)

Accompanied (43 Occurrences)

Asians (1 Occurrence)

Assumed (3 Occurrences)

Secun'dus (1 Occurrence)

Sop'ater (1 Occurrence)

Stopping (22 Occurrences)

Supposing (16 Occurrences)

Secundus (1 Occurrence)

Sopater (1 Occurrence)

Supposed (19 Occurrences)

Beroea (4 Occurrences)

Greeks (22 Occurrences)

Idea (64 Occurrences)

Grecians (4 Occurrences)

Abode (112 Occurrences)

Sickness (40 Occurrences)

Derbe (4 Occurrences)

Stayed (169 Occurrences)

Behind (188 Occurrences)

Province (66 Occurrences)

Troops (92 Occurrences)

Corinth (13 Occurrences)

Ill (137 Occurrences)

Apostles (79 Occurrences)

Thessalonica (8 Occurrences)

Acts (271 Occurrences)

Timothy (28 Occurrences)

Thessalonians (6 Occurrences)

Asia (22 Occurrences)

Paul (207 Occurrences)

Temple (614 Occurrences)

Saul's Renewed Attempt to Kill David
Top of Page
Top of Page