1
Now the Philistinesfought against Israel: and the men of Israelfled from before the Philistines, and fell downslain in mountGilboa.
2
And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the PhilistinesslewJonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul's sons.
3
And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archershit him; and he was sorewounded of the archers.
4
Then saidSaul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcisedcome and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearerwould not; for he was soreafraid. Therefore Saultook a sword, and fell upon it.
5
And when his armourbearersaw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him.
6
So Sauldied, and his threesons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same daytogether.
7
And when the men of Israel that were on the other side of the valley, and they that were on the other sideJordan, saw that the men of Israelfled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, they forsook the cities, and fled; and the Philistinescame and dwelt in them.
8
And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistinescame to strip the slain, that they foundSaul and his threesonsfallen in mountGilboa.
9
And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the house of their idols, and among the people.
10
And they put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Bethshan.
11
And when the inhabitants of Jabeshgileadheard of that which the Philistines had done to Saul;
12
All the valiantmenarose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Bethshan, and came to Jabesh, and burnt them there.
13
And they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fastedsevendays.