This verse from 1 Samuel 31:3 describes a key moment in the battle between the Israelites and the Philistines, leading to King Saul's death. Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"The battle went hard against Saul...": This sets the scene. The Israelites, under Saul's leadership, were losing the battle. The situation was dire for them.
"...and the archers overtook him...": This indicates that Saul was being pursued by Philistine archers. They were gaining on him, and he was in danger of being hit by their arrows.
"...and he was greatly distressed by reason of the archers.": This shows Saul's state of mind. "Distressed" means he was not just physically endangered but also mentally and emotionally anguished. The archers represented a significant threat, and he was likely wounded, exhausted, and demoralized by their relentless pursuit. The repeated focus on the archers suggests that this was a particularly devastating aspect of the battle for Saul. He was likely being targeted specifically, or at least felt that way.
In essence, the verse is telling us:
Saul and his army were losing the battle.
Saul was being chased by Philistine archers.
He was deeply troubled and distressed by the threat posed by these archers, both physically and mentally. It highlights the severity of his situation and the imminent danger he was in, foreshadowing his eventual demise.
This verse from 1 Samuel 31:3 describes a key moment in the battle between the Israelites and the Philistines, leading to King Saul's death. Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
"The battle went hard against Saul...": This sets the scene. The Israelites, under Saul's leadership, were losing the battle. The situation was dire for them.
"...and the archers overtook him...": This indicates that Saul was being pursued by Philistine archers. They were gaining on him, and he was in danger of being hit by their arrows.
"...and he was greatly distressed by reason of the archers.": This shows Saul's state of mind. "Distressed" means he was not just physically endangered but also mentally and emotionally anguished. The archers represented a significant threat, and he was likely wounded, exhausted, and demoralized by their relentless pursuit. The repeated focus on the archers suggests that this was a particularly devastating aspect of the battle for Saul. He was likely being targeted specifically, or at least felt that way.
In essence, the verse is telling us:
Saul and his army were losing the battle.
Saul was being chased by Philistine archers.
He was deeply troubled and distressed by the threat posed by these archers, both physically and mentally. It highlights the severity of his situation and the imminent danger he was in, foreshadowing his eventual demise.