Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from 1 Samuel 31:4. It’s a really significant moment in the story of David and God's plan to protect Israel. Here's a simple explanation: Basically, this verse describes a moment of intense fear and defiance. Here’s what it means word-by-word and then put together: “Then said Saul unto his armourbearer…” : This tells us we’re talking about King Saul, who was feeling very anxious and worried. He's addressing someone close to him – his trusted armourbearer. “…Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me.” : This is the core of the verse. "Uncircumcised" refers to Jewish people who weren’t given circumcision as a sign of God's covenant with them. Saul was worried that these people (often referred to as Philistines) might try to harm him – perhaps by attacking him or stealing his possessions. He was fearing they would abuse him. "...But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid.” : This is the crucial part. Saul’s armourbearer didn't want to do this. He was terrified! It shows a deep-seated fear and reluctance. "Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it." : This is where the action happens. Saul, overwhelmed with fear, decided to fight back. He grabbed a sword and deliberately thrust it into himself. So, what’s the big picture? This story illustrates several important things about David’s character: His bravery: He wasn't just afraid; he voluntarily chose to confront his fear and act. His faith: He trusted in God, even when he was terrified. His protection of Israel: This act shows a deep commitment to defending his people. In short, this verse is a dramatic moment where fear threatens to stop someone, but their faith and determination lead them to take action – a crucial step towards protecting what's important to him. --- Do you want me to explain any of these points in more detail? For example, would you like me to: Explain the context of this passage within the larger story of David’s rise to power? Discuss the symbolism behind the act of Saul thrusting himself into the sword?