📖 1 Chronicles — Chapter 10 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
1 Chronicles 10:1 Now Rthe Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down Tslain in mount Gilboa.
1 Chronicles 10:2 And the Philistines followed hard after Saul, and after his sons; and the Philistines slew RJonathan, and TAbinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul.
1 Chronicles 10:3 And the battle Rwent sore against Saul, Tand the archers Thit him, and he was wounded of the archers.
1 Chronicles 10:4 Then said Saul to his armourbearer, RDraw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and Tabuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.
1 Chronicles 10:5 And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise on the sword, and died.
1 Chronicles 10:6 So RSaul died, and his three sons, and all his house died together.
1 Chronicles 10:7 And when all the men of Israel that were in the valley saw that they fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, Rthen they forsook their cities, and fled: and the Philistines came and dwelt in them.
1 Chronicles 10:8 And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came Rto strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen in mount Gilboa.
1 Chronicles 10:9 And when they had stripped him, they Rtook his head, and his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to carry tidings unto their idols, and to the people.
1 Chronicles 10:10 And they put his armour in the house of Rtheir gods, and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon.
1 Chronicles 10:11 And Rwhen all Jabeshgilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul,
1 Chronicles 10:12 They arose, all the valiant men, and took away the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under Rthe oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.
1 Chronicles 10:13 So Saul died for his transgression which he Tcommitted against the LORD, Reven against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it;
1 Chronicles 10:14 And Renquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of TJesse.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Chronicles 10:1–7 — Saul's final battle
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Israel is defeated by the Philistines, and Saul's sons are killed. Wounded and afraid of capture, Saul falls on his sword. The account describes a tragic death and the wider flight of the people; it does not present his action as a model to imitate. The collapse of leadership brings suffering beyond one household.
Key Truth: Leadership failure can wound a whole community.
Check What You Remember
1. Where did the Israelites fall slain? (1 Chronicles 10:1)
Find it in 1 Chronicles 10:1 (KJV).
2. Name one of Saul's sons killed here. (1 Chronicles 10:2)
Find it in 1 Chronicles 10:2 (KJV).
3. Who occupied the cities the Israelites abandoned? (1 Chronicles 10:7)
Find it in 1 Chronicles 10:7 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Chronicles 10:8–12 — Dishonor and loyal burial
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The Philistines display Saul's remains and armor in their religious houses. The valiant men of Jabeshgilead recover the bodies and bury the bones, then fast. Their actions preserve a measure of dignity amid defeat. Mourning and care for the dead remain meaningful even when a leader's life has ended badly.
Key Truth: Compassion can remain amid tragedy.
Check What You Remember
1. In whose temple was Saul's head fastened? (1 Chronicles 10:10)
Find it in 1 Chronicles 10:10 (KJV).
2. Who recovered Saul and his sons' bodies? (1 Chronicles 10:11)
Find it in 1 Chronicles 10:11 (KJV).
3. How long did they fast? (1 Chronicles 10:12)
Find it in 1 Chronicles 10:12 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Chronicles 10:13–14 — The narrator's verdict
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Chronicles explains Saul's downfall in relation to disobedience to the LORD's word and his consultation of a familiar spirit. He did not inquire of the LORD, and the kingdom passed to David. The ending places faithfulness to God at the center of the book's assessment of kingship.
Key Truth: Seek God's direction and obey his word.
Check What You Remember
1. Against whose word did Saul transgress? (1 Chronicles 10:13)
Find it in 1 Chronicles 10:13 (KJV).
2. What forbidden source of counsel did he consult? (1 Chronicles 10:13)
Find it in 1 Chronicles 10:13 (KJV).
3. To whom was the kingdom turned? (1 Chronicles 10:14)
Find it in 1 Chronicles 10:14 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
1 Samuel 28:7 — Samuel records Saul's search for a woman with a familiar spirit.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Where do you turn for direction, and how does that choice relate to God's word?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How does the armourbearer’s fear affect Saul’s request?
2. How does the death of Saul and his sons affect the nearby cities?
3. How do the Philistines use Saul’s remains as news and trophies?
4. What contrasts with the Philistines’ treatment of the bodies?
5. How does the closing explanation distinguish Saul’s sources of counsel?
Notes
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