Definition: And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, Saul’s sons.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Samuel 31:2. It’s a really important and dramatic part of the story of David and his army. Here's what it means in simple terms: The Basic Situation: David’s Army is Weak: David was leading a large army, but they were struggling against the Philistines. They weren’t winning battles. They Followed Saul: Saul, David’s brother, was leading the army. He was trying to be ambitious and wanted to make himself powerful. They Slew Jonathan & His Sons: The Philistines (a people who lived on the coast) successfully attacked and killed Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua – David’s sons. Putting it Together - What Happened? Essentially, Saul's ambition led him to make a terrible mistake: he ordered his men to kill Jonathan and his sons. It was a huge loss for the Philistines and a devastating blow to David’s army. The Significance (What it Means): Moral Lesson: This verse is a strong warning about the dangers of pride, ambition, and being too focused on power. It shows that even with the best intentions, mistakes can happen and have serious consequences. David's Response: David was deeply saddened by this loss. He experienced a great deal of grief and regret. It highlights his humility and awareness of his own fallibility. In short, it’s a story about how ambition can lead to disaster and the importance of staying humble. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Give you another Bible passage for comparison?