Discuss 1 Samuel 31


1 Samuel 31 KJV Bible discussions
 
  • Chris - In Reply on 1 Samuel 31 - 2 years ago
    Hello Gary. In Hebrew, the tree that you read about in 1 Samuel 31:13, is called 'eshel', & this refers to a tamarisk tree. However, in a corresponding passage in 1 Chronicles 10:12, the KJV shows it as 'oak', with the Hebrew ('elah') identifying it as the terebinth tree.

    Why the Bible translators used 'tree & oak' in these passages is uncertain. It maybe at the time, those particular trees (tamarisk & terebinth) were not readily identifiable/understood or using botanical names may have been confounding to the readers, or even the appearance of two different Hebrew words in two different passages for the same tree could have also presented problems. So generic terms were used, as also seen in Genesis 21:33 (Heb. 'eshel' = grove). It would have been more appropriate to use the Hebrew to English equivalents in the Bible regardless, I would think; yet, there is no error in the KJV for using the generic words, as the intent of the texts remain unchanged.
  • Chris - In Reply on Exodus 25 - 2 years ago
    Tammy, I don't believe that it's a sin to want to be cremated or for another person to take that decision to do so to the deceased. At least, the Bible doesn't speak of it in those terms. The evidence of cremation is generally seen amongst the heathen, whether for their dead or as part of human sacrifice. Amongst Israel, cremation was not normally done, rather a burial or entombment. Though we do see evidence of cremation in 1 Samuel 31:11-13 (Saul & his sons) & Joshua 7:25 (Achan's sin).

    So cremation is one option of dealing with the deceased. In both cases, burial or cremation, the body returns to its former state. It then becomes a matter of how respect is best shown, preservation of the cremains, & of costs associated with it. My preference would, as far as possible, be a burial, in line with biblical practises.
  • Richard in Christ - In Reply on Galatians 1 - 2 years ago
    Hello Esther,

    I looked into this a little for you. As I know it comes up in that some people don't believe you should cremate a dead body. As it seems some have stated it may keep that person from "being resurrected" in the end.

    So one verse came up where a body was burned before burial. 1 Samuel 31:11-13.

    As there is no direct Scripture against cremation. The people of Israel would normally buried their dead. As today the cost to bury a dead body is very high. Cremation is the most cost effective way to dispose of someones remains in my knowledge.

    In my knowledge it really doesn't matter what is done to the body after death. We are all dust and, our bodies, return to dust after our death. Job 34:14-15. As the saying "ashes to ashes, dust to dust". If any think it has anything to do that whoever was cremated won't be resurrected. I'd say "what about people who died in a fire, eaten by a shark, or mutilated in a terrible car accident, or something?" Hopefully they wouldn't think that has anything to do with God being able to resurrect them on the last day. As God can do anything.

    I hope my view helps you. If anyone else has any other view feel free to post.

    God Bless.
  • Chris - In Reply on Deuteronomy 8 - 2 years ago
    Hello James. As far as I know, the Bible is silent on this topic, probably because it was not a practice of God's people, rather more in line to what the heathen would do. The references that come up are found in the Old Testament: 1 Samuel 31:11-13; Amos 2:1; Leviticus 20:14. However, Israel generally resorted to burial in a tomb, cave or ground: Genesis 23:19; 2 Chronicles 16:14; Matthew 27:57-60.

    So, the Church is not given a specific direction on this, as ultimately, the body returns to dust "from whence it came" ( Ecclesiastes 12:7). It then becomes the decision by the family of the departed to have a burial or a cremation, depending on preference, costs, or availability. My choice would always be for a burial, in line with what was practised by Israel.
  • Mild Bill - In Reply on Esther 9 - 3 years ago
    Raymond W.Smith,

    The ancient practice was to hang your enemies in a public display, as was the case in 1Samuel 31, where Saul and his sons were displayed on the city walls. When John Milius wrote Apocalypse Now, his mad Colonel Kurtz character employed the same tactic in the Vietnam era to create fear in his enemies.

    I found the explanation by SkipVought to be thoroughly entertaining and I will never forget it. However I might want to investigate it further, I doubt I will ever find the sages and commentators, no doubt the Kabbalistic sort, on line to see for myself the veracity of such a tale of divine justice. You will note that where Skip left Agag alive, a few verses later Samuel hacks him to death, 1 Samuel 31. The label of Haman as an "Agagite" is more of an ethnic connection to Agag, rather than a bloodline, but I wouldn't lose any sleep over it if he was.:)
  • Chris - In Reply on 2 Samuel 21 - 3 years ago
    What you read in 1 Samuel 31:4,5, does show that Saul & his armour bearer fell on their swords & were buried by the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead under a tree at Jabesh (vv 11-13).

    Then in 2 Samuel 21:12, King David comes onto the scene. He willing to avenge the death of the Gibeonites, took Saul's children, except Mephibosheth, & gave them to the King of Gibeon to slaughter them to avenge the death of his people. This they did & then David, hearing of this later, came to where the remains of Saul & the others were & took them & buried them amongst the tribe of Benjamin (vv 12-14).

    However, the apparent discrepancy about Saul falling on his sword or whether the Philistines killed him instead, can be cleared up by understanding that, Saul's wounding was as 'sore wounding', i.e. it was a fatal wound but that death would be some time in coming. Thus Saul hurried it up by committing suicide. But the Scripture tells us that the Philistines actually struck the death blow - Saul just finishing off the job, so to speak.
  • Chris - In Reply on Psalms 23 - 3 years ago
    Donna, there are examples in the Bible of those who suicided. One is in 1 Samuel 31:4, when King Saul wanted his armour-bearer to kill him as he was wounded in the battle. He refused, so Saul "fell upon his own sword" & his armour-bearer seeing this & the implications that would have upon him, also did likewise. There is also Samson ( Judges 16:26-30) who with his great strength from the Lord, pulled down the pillars of the building that he was prisoner in, thus killing himself & many Philistines that were gathered there. And then we have Judas Iscariot ( Matthew 27:3-5) who hanged himself after he realized his sin in betraying Jesus.

    So even though we have instances of suicide, I don't believe the Bible ever talks specifically about it as being sin. Why we say that suicide is sin, is because by definition, it is self-murder & wilful murder in any form is sin. I know that one who contemplates suicide does so under very trying mental, emotional & physical conditions - a good friend of mine having taken his own life because of severe multiple sclerosis. I tried my best to encourage him & give him hope, but the pain & loss of movement was too much & made existence meaningless. Every avenue should be resorted to so that such a desperate person may receive help & counsel & most cities have a Lifeline phone number to assist.
  • Chris - In Reply on Genesis 32 - 3 years ago
    Wayne, 1 Samuel 31 speaks of the deadly arrow strike that King Saul encountered & his command to his armour-bearer to end his life with a sword. The armour-bearer also then fell on his sword probably for what he had done to the king & also to the horror that may come to him by the approaching Philistines. When the enemy came upon the dead bodies, they beheaded Saul, & the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead came to retrieve his body & the others, took them back to Jabesh and burned (cremated) them there. However, this is the only clear instance of this happening. Usually, cremation was practised by the heathen & certainly uncommon among Israel. In Deut 21:23, the burying of the dead is seen & is common practice. For Christians today, cremation remains an option based on personal belief & high costs of burial, but for those who strongly believe in burial (& I support this), it is wise to put funds aside to meet that future need.
  • Mickey on Leviticus 13 - 3 years ago
    There actually are simple... Asherah, or Ashtoreth, was the name of the chief female deity worshiped in ancient Syria, Phoenicia, and Canaan. The Phoenicians called her Astarte, the Assyrians worshiped her as Ishtar, and the Philistines had a temple of Asherah ( 1 Samuel 31:10).

    Hence: Easter = Astarte
  • Joyce Ballentine on Proverbs 20 - 8 years ago
    IN ORDER FOR US TO SEE GOD WORK IN OUR LIFE WE MUST LEARN TO TRUST HIM AT HIS WORD! WE CAN NOT WIN TRYING TO FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE CAUSE THE END RESULT WILL BE MORE FIRE! TO SAY WE TRUST GOD IS ONE THING, BUT TO SHOW WE TRUST GOD IS ANOTHER! KING DAVID COULD HAVE KILLED SAUL THREE TIMES CAUSE SAUL WAS TRYING TO KILL HIM CAUSE OF JEALOUSY, BUT DAVID TRUSTED AND LOVED GOD SO MUCH HE LEFT SAUL IN THE LORDS HANDS AND SAUL TOOK HIS OWN LIFE READ 1 SAMUEL 31:1-10 ! WHEN PETER USED A SWORD TO CUT OFF ONE OF THE SOLDIERS EARS WHEN THEY WERE ABOUT TO TAKE JESUS, JESUS TOLD PETER IF U LIVE BY THE SWORD U SHALL DIE BY THE SWORD! PEOPLE TEND TO DO EVIL TO US CAUSE OF JEALOUSY AND IGNORANCE! CAUSE OF ALL THE EVIL AND SIN THAT 'S IN THE WORLD, WE AS BELIEVERS BETTER LEARN TO TRUST GOD AND BELIEVE GOD HAS OUR BEST INTEREST! LORD GIVE US THE STRENGTH TO TRUST U TO AVENGE EVERY EVIL THAT WILL COME UP AGAINST US, SO WE WILL NOT GET CAUGHT UP IN EVIL OF THE WORLD! LORD MORE OF U AND LESS OF ME! AMEN! GLORY BE TO GOD!!!


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