Thus the first king of Israel perished, with the guilt of self-murder upon his soul. His life had been a failure, and he went down in dishonor and despair, because he had set up his own perverse will against the will of God.

Nederlaget rygtedes vidt og bredt og spredte rædsel i hele Israel. Folket flygtede fra byerne, og filisterne tog dem i besiddelse uden at møde modstand. Sauls forsøg på at regere uafhængigt af Gud var nær blevet til ruin for hele hans folk.