Bible Problem: 1 Samuel 31:4-5 vs 2 Samuel 1:6-10. Did Saul’s Armor Bearer Die with Him or Not?
Problem:
There seems to be a discrepancy between 1 Samuel 31:4-5 vs 2 Samuel 1:8-10 about Saul’s armor bearer.
1 Samuel 31 verses 4 and 5:
4 Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.
5 And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him.
In 2 Samuel chapter 1 verses 6 to 10 an Amalekite tells David about Saul’s death:
6 And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.
7 And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I.
8 And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.
9 He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me.
10 So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.
Did Saul and his armor bearer commit suicide, or did Saul’s armor bearer kill Saul and not himself?
Which of these verses are correct?
Solution:
Saul committed suicide and immediately afterward his armor bearer did too. The Amalekite was not Saul’s armor bearer. He lied about Saul’s death in hopes of gaining a reward.