1 Samuel 11:11

in three companies In order to make a simultaneous attack upon the Ammonite camp on three sides at once. Compare Gideon's stratagem, Judges 7:16 ff.

in the morning watch The Jews anciently divided the night into three watches, each watch representing the time for which sentinels remained on duty. The first watch or "beginning of the watches" (Lamentations 2:19) lasted from sunset until 10 p.m.: the "middle watch" (Judges 7:19) from 10 p.m. till 2 a.m.: the "morning watch" from 2 a.m. till sunrise. The division of the night into fourwatches referred to in the N. T. (Matthew 14:25; Mark 13:35; Acts 12:4) was of Roman origin.

they which remained were scattered Jabesh was rescued from destruction, and its inhabitants long remembered the debt of gratitude which they owed to Saul. It was the men of Jabesh who at peril of their lives recovered the bodies of Saul and Jonathan from Philistine insults, and gave them honourable burial (ch. 1 Samuel 31:11-13): it was Gilead which was the chief centre and stay of the waning fortunes of Saul's house during the early part of the reign of David (2 Samuel 2:8-9 ff.).