1 Samuel 31:3

Modern

When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him critically.

Traditional

And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers.

Literal

And the battle became fierce against Saul, and the archers found him—men with the bow—and he was wounded severely by the archers.

Latin

…totumque pondus prælii versum est in Saul, et consecuti sunt eum viri sagittarii, et vulneratus est vehementer a sagittariis.

Hebrew

English

When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him critically.

While David was in the south successfully fighting the Amalekites (1 Samuel 30), Saul was in the north unsuccessfully fighting the Philistines.

Theme notes and profiles

2 Samuel 1:6
“I happened to be on Mount Gilboa,” he replied, “and there was Saul, leaning on his spear, with the chariots and the cavalry closing in on him.
1 Kings 22:34
However, a certain man drew his bow without taking special aim, and he struck the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. So the king said to his charioteer, “Turn around and take me out of the battle, for I am badly wounded!”
2 Samuel 1:4
“What was the outcome?” David asked. “Please tell me.” “The troops fled from the battle,” he replied. “Many of them fell and died. And Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead.”
Genesis 49:23
The archers attacked him with bitterness; they aimed at him in hostility.
Amos 2:14
Escape will fail the swift, the strong will not prevail by his strength, and the mighty will not save his life.

Saul: First king of Israel, anointed by Samuel