1 Chronicles Chapter 10    

“because he was terrified.” The armor-bearer was afraid of God’s vengeance if he killed King Saul.

“all his house.” This is a hyperbole because not “all” his house died, He still had a son and grandchildren left, but the point was the strength of his house was dead.

“the army.” The Hebrew is literally, “they,” but that is confusing when read in English, and the “they” refers to Saul’s army.

“sent into the land of the Philistines.” The text is unclear about whether or not Saul’s head and armor were sent around the land of the Philistines, or whether only messengers were sent, and the scholars are divided about it.

“and fastened his head in the house of Dagon.” After the battle, Saul’s head and body were taken to different places. The “house of Dagon” was in Philistia, and according to 1 Samuel 5:1-7 was in Ashdod. Meanwhile, Saul’s body was put on the wall at Beth-shean (1 Sam. 31:10).

“therefore he killed him.” Yahweh did not directly kill Saul. He told Saul what to do and Saul disobeyed thereby bringing consequences upon himself, including death. (This is the idiom of permission; see commentary on Exod. 4:21).