There are several variations between the text given here and the text of 1 Sam., which are noticed as they occur in the following notes. 1. _in mount Gilboa_ In the campaign of Gilboa the Philistines shewed new and skilful strategy. Instead of at once marching eastward up the ravines which lead int... [ Continue Reading ]
_Malchi-shua_ This is the correct spelling, not _Melchi-shua_.... [ Continue Reading ]
_the archers hit him, and he was wounded of the archers_ R.V. THE ARCHERS OVERTOOK HIM; AND HE WAS DISTRESSED BY REASON OF THE ARCHERS.... [ Continue Reading ]
_to his armourbearer_ Cp. Judges 9:54 (the death of Abimelech). One function of an armourbearer was to give the "coup de grâce" to fallen enemies (1 Samuel 14:13), but sometimes the same office had to be executed for friends. _and abuse me_ i.e. wreak their cruel will upon me; cp. Judges 1:6. _a s... [ Continue Reading ]
_fell likewise on the sword_ R.V. LIKEWISE FELL UPON HIS SWORD.... [ Continue Reading ]
_all his house_ In Samuel "his armourbearer and all his men." The reference is rather to Saul's servants than to his family.... [ Continue Reading ]
_that_were _in the valley_ The "valley of Jezreel" (Hosea 1:5), called in later times the "plain of Esdrelon" (Esdraelon) is meant. Even those who lived east of Jordan took to flight; 1 Samuel 31:7. _forsook their cities_ Among these was no doubt Beth-shan (Beisan) "the key of Western Palestine" (s... [ Continue Reading ]
_And when they had stripped him, they took_ R.V. AND THEY STRIPPED HIM, AND TOOK. _to carry tidings unto their idols_ In Samuel, "to publish it _in thehouse_(or _houses_) of their idols"; cp. 1 Samuel 31:10. The news was published by the exhibition of trophies of the victory in the Philistine templ... [ Continue Reading ]
in _the house of their gods_ In Samuel (more definitely) "in the house (_or_houses) of Ashtaroth," Ashtaroth being the plural of _Ashtoreth_, a goddess, who seems here to bear a martial character. She was apparently consort of the Phœnician Baal (Judges 2:13; Judges 10:6). _fastened his head_in _the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jabesh-Gilead_ See 1Sa 11:1-11; 2 Samuel 2:4-7.... [ Continue Reading ]
_took away_ i.e. from the walls of Beth-shan (so Pesh.). _to Jabesh_ Samuel adds "and burned them there." The Chronicler omits this statement perhaps because the bones were not _destroyed_by this burning; cp. 2 Samuel 21:12-14 (the bones of Saul and Jonathan brought from Jabesh in David's reign and... [ Continue Reading ]
_HIS TRANSGRESSION_] R.V. HIS TRESPASS; cp. 2 Chronicles 26:16. The reference is to Saul's sacrifice (1 Samuel 13:13-14), and disobedience (_ib._1 Samuel 15:23). even _against the word_ R.V. BECAUSE OF THE WORD. _also for asking_ R.V. ALSO FOR THAT HE ASKED. _to inquire_of it] R.V. TO INQUIRE TH... [ Continue Reading ]
_and inquired not of the Lord_ Cp. 1 Chronicles 13:3. The Chronicler does not count inquiries made too late; cp. 1 Samuel 28:6 (Saul inquires of the Lord, but receives no answer).... [ Continue Reading ]