With these words, Samuel communicated that Saul and his sons would die on the next day. They would be in the realm of the dead (Sheol)—a realm that was understood at the time to be the abode of both the righteous as well as the condemned.1 In this there is a sense of poetic justice. Saul had tried to kill David by the hand of the Philistines (see 1 Samuel 18:17, 1 Samuel 18:21, 1 Samuel 18:25) and now he would die by the hand of the Philistines.2 Sadly, his sons would also be included in this judgment, which would result in the end of his dynasty (see 1 Samuel 13:13–14).
19 Moreover, the LORD will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The LORD will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.”