2 Samuel 1:20

Tell it not in Gath, &c. Gath on account of its political importance, Askelon as a great religious centre, are chosen as representative of the whole country. Gath seems to have had special prominence as the city of Achish; not impossibly the temple of Ashtaroth in which Saul's armour was deposited was the famous temple of Venus at Askelon. See note on 1 Samuel 31:10. The phrase "Tell it not in Gath" is quoted in Micah 1:10 (E. V. declare), and perhaps passed into a proverb.

Publish it not Additional force is gained by keeping the usual meaning of the word, publish not the good news (LXX. accurately, μὴ εὐαγγελίσησθε). Of course the words can only be understood as a poetical wish that it were possible for Israel to be spared the degradation of Philistine triumph. The news was carried at once throughout the land (1 Samuel 31:9).

the daughters of the Philistines Victories were celebrated by the women of the country with public songs and dances. Cp. 1 Samuel 18:6; Exodus 15:20-21.

the uncircumcised The common epithet for the Philistines, as heathen who had no share in Jehovah's covenant with Israel. No small part of the bitterness of defeat to a pious heart consisted in the triumph of the heathen over God's inheritance. Cp. 1 Samuel 14:6.