1 Samuel 31:1-13

31:4-5 | This is one of two accounts of Saul’s death – the other in 2 Samuel 1:9-10. This account is the divine record of Saul’s death. 2 Samuel 1 reports the fabricated story of the Amalekite who found Saul already dead and tried to exploit Saul’s death to ingratiate (find favor by kissing up) himself to the new king.

31:9 | The vanquished enemy’s decapitated head was proof of victory. David did this same thing when he killed Goliath.

31:10 | Mounting the armor of Saul and his sons in the temple of their false gods was one way the Philistine credited their gods with this military victory.

31:11-13 | Burning bodies was not part of Israelite custom, so it is likely that these men were trying to prevent further dishonor to Saul and his sons. The Philistines had quite possibly mutilated the corpses. David later reburied their bones (2 Sam. 21:12-14).