1 Chronicles 10:2
New International Version
The Philistines were in hot pursuit of Saul and his sons, and they killed his sons Jonathan, Abinadab and Malki-Shua.

New Living Translation
The Philistines closed in on Saul and his sons, and they killed three of his sons—Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malkishua.

English Standard Version
And the Philistines overtook Saul and his sons, and the Philistines struck down Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul.

Berean Standard Bible
The Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons, and they killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua.

King James Bible
And the Philistines followed hard after Saul, and after his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul.

New King James Version
Then the Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons. And the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul’s sons.

New American Standard Bible
And the Philistines also overtook Saul and his sons, and the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul.

NASB 1995
The Philistines closely pursued Saul and his sons, and the Philistines struck down Jonathan, Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul.

NASB 1977
And the Philistines closely pursued Saul and his sons, and the Philistines struck down Jonathan, Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the Philistines closely pursued Saul and his sons, and the Philistines struck down Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul.

Amplified Bible
The Philistines followed closely after Saul and his sons and overtook them, and the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul.

Christian Standard Bible
The Philistines pursued Saul and his sons and killed his sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Philistines pursued Saul and his sons and killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua.

American Standard Version
And the Philistines followed hard after Saul and after his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul.

Contemporary English Version
The Philistines closed in on Saul and his sons and killed three of them: Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua.

English Revised Version
And the Philistines followed hard after Saul and after his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The Philistines caught up to Saul and his sons. They killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul's sons.

Good News Translation
But the Philistines caught up with them and killed three of Saul's sons, Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua.

International Standard Version
The Philistines followed after Saul and after his sons, and the Philistines struck down Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, Saul's sons.

Majority Standard Bible
The Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons, and they killed Saul?s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua.

NET Bible
The Philistines stayed right on the heels of Saul and his sons. They struck down Saul's sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malki-Shua.

New Heart English Bible
The Philistines followed hard after Saul and after his sons; and the Philistines killed Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malkishua, the sons of Saul.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the Philistines followed hard after Saul, and after his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul.

World English Bible
The Philistines followed hard after Saul and after his sons; and the Philistines killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the Philistines pursue after Saul, and after his sons, and the Philistines strike Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchi-Shua, sons of Saul.

Young's Literal Translation
and the Philistines pursue after Saul, and after his sons, and the Philistines smite Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchi-Shua, sons of Saul.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the rovers will pursue after Saul, and after his sons; and the rovers will strike Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchishua, Saul's sons.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Philistines drew near pursuing after Saul, and his sons, and they killed Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Melchisua the sons of Saul.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when the Philistines had draw near, pursuing Saul and his sons, they struck down Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul.

New American Bible
The Philistines pressed hard after Saul and his sons. When the Philistines had struck down Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, sons of Saul,

New Revised Standard Version
The Philistines overtook Saul and his sons; and the Philistines killed Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchishua, sons of Saul.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the Philistines overtook Saul and his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan and Jeshui and Malchishua, the sons of Saul.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Philistines overtook Shaul and his sons, and the Philistines attacked Jonathan and Yashwi and Melkishua, the sons of Shaul, with the sword.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the Philistines followed hard after Saul and after his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Philistines pursued after Saul, and after his sons; and the Philistines smote Jonathan, and Aminadab, and Melchisue, sons of Saul.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Saul's Overthrow and Death
1Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them, and many fell slain on Mount Gilboa. 2The Philistines followed hard after Saul and his sons, and they killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. 3When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him.…

Cross References
1 Samuel 31:2-6
The Philistines hotly pursued Saul and his sons, and they killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. / When the battle intensified against Saul, the archers overtook him and wounded him critically. / Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and run me through and torture me!” But his armor-bearer was terrified and refused to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. ...

2 Samuel 1:4-10
“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.” / Then David asked the young man who had brought him the report, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?” / “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. ...

2 Samuel 21:12-14
he went and took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the men of Jabesh-gilead, who had stolen them from the public square of Beth-shan where the Philistines had hung the bodies after they had struck down Saul at Gilboa. / So David had the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan brought from there, and they also gathered the bones of those who had been hanged. / And they buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in Zela in the land of Benjamin, in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish. After they had done everything the king had commanded, God answered their prayers for the land.

1 Samuel 28:19
Moreover, the LORD will deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. And the LORD will deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.”

1 Samuel 14:49
Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, Ishvi, and Malchishua. His two daughters were named Merab (his firstborn) and Michal (his younger daughter).

2 Samuel 1:17-27
Then David took up this lament for Saul and his son Jonathan, / and he ordered that the sons of Judah be taught the Song of the Bow. It is written in the Book of Jashar: / “Your glory, O Israel, lies slain on your heights. How the mighty have fallen! ...

1 Samuel 31:8-13
The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the dead, they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. / They cut off Saul’s head, stripped off his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim the news in the temples of their idols and among their people. / They put his armor in the temple of the Ashtoreths and hung his body on the wall of Beth-shan. ...

2 Samuel 2:4-7
Then the men of Judah came to Hebron, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, “It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul.” / So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead to tell them, “The LORD bless you, because you showed this kindness to Saul your lord when you buried him. / Now may the LORD show you loving devotion and faithfulness, and I will also show you the same favor because you have done this. ...

2 Samuel 4:4
And Jonathan son of Saul had a son who was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the report about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel. His nurse picked him up and fled, but as she was hurrying to escape, he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth.

2 Samuel 5:4-5
David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. / In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.

1 Samuel 18:1-4
After David had finished speaking with Saul, the souls of Jonathan and David were knit together, and Jonathan loved him as himself. / And from that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house. / Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. ...

1 Samuel 20:30-33
Then Saul’s anger burned against Jonathan, and he said to him, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Do I not know that you have chosen the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you? / For as long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom shall be established. Now send for him and bring him to me, for he must surely die!” / “Why must he be put to death?” Jonathan replied. “What has he done?” ...

1 Samuel 22:18-19
So the king ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests!” And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests himself. On that day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. / He also put to the sword Nob, the city of the priests, with its men and women, children and infants, oxen, donkeys, and sheep.

1 Samuel 23:16-18
And Saul’s son Jonathan came to David in Horesh and strengthened his hand in God, / saying, “Do not be afraid, for my father Saul will never lay a hand on you. And you will be king over Israel, and I will be your second-in-command. Even my father Saul knows this is true.” / So the two of them made a covenant before the LORD. And David remained in Horesh, while Jonathan went home.

1 Samuel 24:20-22
Now I know for sure that you will be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands. / So now, swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father’s house.” / So David gave his oath to Saul. Then Saul returned home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold.


Treasury of Scripture

And the Philistines followed hard after Saul, and after his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul.

Jonathan

1 Chronicles 8:33
And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.

1 Chronicles 9:39
And Ner begat Kish; and Kish begat Saul; and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.

1 Samuel 14:6,39,40
And Jonathan said to the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over unto the garrison of these uncircumcised: it may be that the LORD will work for us: for there is no restraint to the LORD to save by many or by few…

Abinadab

1 Samuel 14:49
Now the sons of Saul were Jonathan, and Ishui, and Melchishua: and the names of his two daughters were these; the name of the firstborn Merab, and the name of the younger Michal:

Ishui

Exodus 20:5
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

2 Kings 25:7
And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon.

Jump to Previous
Abinadab Abin'adab Closely Followed Hard Jonathan Killed Malchishua Mal'chishu'a Malchi-Shua Malki-Shua Overtook Philistines Pressed Pursue Pursued Saul Saul's Slew Smite Smote Struck
Jump to Next
Abinadab Abin'adab Closely Followed Hard Jonathan Killed Malchishua Mal'chishu'a Malchi-Shua Malki-Shua Overtook Philistines Pressed Pursue Pursued Saul Saul's Slew Smite Smote Struck
1 Chronicles 10
1. Saul's overthrow and death
8. The Philistines triumph over Saul
11. The kindness of Jabesh Gilead toward Saul and his sons
13. Saul's sin for which the kingdom was transferred from him to David














The Philistines pursued Saul and his sons
The Philistines were a formidable enemy of Israel, often representing the worldly opposition to God's chosen people. The Hebrew root for "pursued" (רדף, radaph) implies a relentless chase, highlighting the intensity of the Philistines' determination to defeat Israel's leadership. This pursuit signifies not just a physical chase but a spiritual battle, as Saul's disobedience to God had left him vulnerable to his enemies. Historically, the Philistines were known for their military prowess and advanced weaponry, which often put Israel at a disadvantage. This relentless pursuit can be seen as a consequence of Saul's failure to fully obey God's commands, leading to a loss of divine protection.

and they killed his sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua
The tragic death of Saul's sons, especially Jonathan, is a poignant moment in Israel's history. Jonathan, whose name means "Yahweh has given," was a noble and faithful friend to David, the future king. His death marks the end of a potential godly alliance that could have strengthened Israel. The Hebrew word for "killed" (מות, muth) is stark and final, emphasizing the severity of the loss. Abinadab and Malchishua, though less is known about them, represent the extinguishing of Saul's lineage and the fulfillment of God's judgment on Saul's house. This event underscores the biblical principle that disobedience to God can have far-reaching consequences, affecting not just the individual but their family and nation. The deaths of these sons serve as a somber reminder of the cost of turning away from God's will, and the importance of faithfulness and obedience in leadership.

(2) The Philistines followed hard after Saul.--Literally, clave to Saul, that is, hotly pursued him. (Comp. 1 Kings 22, 31.) The destruction of the king and his sons would make their triumph complete.

The sons of Saul.--Omit the. Eshbaal, Saul's fourth son, was not in the battle (2Samuel 2:8. Comp. 1Chronicles 8:33). Like Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, Saul may have witnessed the death of his sons (2Kings 25:7). Jonathan, at least, would not be far from him in the last struggle. "In their deaths they were not divided."

Verse 2. - Followed hard after. The Hebrew verb implies all this and rather more, viz. that they made the pursuit of Saul and his sons their one special object. Luther's "Hingen sich au Saul" expresses this forcibly. Abinadab; or Ishui (see 1 Chronicles 8:33; 1 Samuel 14:49). The sons of Saul. Omit the article, which is not present in the Hebrew text. The fourth son, not withstanding our ver. 6, survived (2 Samuel 2:8-15).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The Philistines
פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים (p̄ə·liš·tîm)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

followed hard after
וַיַּדְבְּק֣וּ (way·yaḏ·bə·qū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1692: To impinge, cling, adhere, to catch by pursuit

Saul
שָׁא֖וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

and his sons,
בָנָ֑יו (ḇā·nāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

and they killed
וַיַּכּ֣וּ (way·yak·kū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5221: To strike

Saul’s
שָׁאֽוּל׃ (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

sons
בְּנֵ֥י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

Jonathan,
יוֹנָתָ֧ן (yō·w·nā·ṯān)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3129: Jonathan

Abinadab,
אֲבִינָדָ֛ב (’ă·ḇî·nā·ḏāḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 41: Abinadab -- 'my father is noble', three Israelites

and Malchishua.
שׁ֖וּעַ (šū·a‘)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4444: Malchi-shua -- 'my king is wealth', a son of Saul


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OT History: 1 Chronicles 10:2 The Philistines followed hard after Saul (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)
1 Chronicles 10:1
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