_A.M. 2948. B.C. 1056._ Israel overthrown, and Saul, his three sons, his armour bearer, and all his men slain, 1 Samuel 31:1. The Israelites forsake their cities, 1 Samuel 31:7. The camp plundered, and the dead bodies insulted, 1 Samuel 31:8; but rescued by the men of Jabesh-gilead, 1 Samuel 31:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Now the Philistines fought against Israel_ That is, gave them battle. As they began the quarrel, (1 Samuel 29:1,) so they seem to have begun the fight. It must be observed that the foregoing chapter is a digression, to relate what happened to David at this time. The sacred writer now resumes the th... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Philistines slew Jonathan_ David's dear friend; God so ordering it for the further exercise of David's faith and patience; and that David might depend upon God alone for his crown, and receive it solely from him, and not from Jonathan; who, doubtless, had he lived, would have speedily settled t... [ Continue Reading ]
_The archers hit him_ Hebrews ימצאהו _jim-stauhu, found him._ Houbigant renders it, _rushed upon him._ It seems by this that the Philistines gained the battle, chiefly by the advantage of their archers. Probably these were some hired troops, for we meet with no mention before this of any archers in... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me_ He was afraid they might put him to some ignominious death, or make sport with him, as they did with Samson. _But his armour-bearer would not, for he was sore afraid_ He dreaded to think of killing _his king. Saul took a sword, and... [ Continue Reading ]
_He_ (his armour-bearer) _fell likewise upon his sword_ The same sword on which Saul had fallen, which was the sword of the armour- bearer. This will appear evident to any one that reads these two verses (the 4th and 5th) in the original. Now it is the established tradition of the Jewish nation, tha... [ Continue Reading ]
_They on the other side Jordan_ Or, rather, _on this side Jordan;_ for the Hebrew word signifies either side. And there was no occasion for those beyond Jordan to flee. _Saul and his three sons_ “The Scripture,” as Mr. Henry well observes, “makes no mention of the souls of Saul and his sons, what be... [ Continue Reading ]
_The inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead_ They lived on the other side of Jordan; for the people on this side were fled. _All the valiant men arose, and went all night_ To avoid discovery. _And took the body of Saul_, &c. They had been delivered by Saul in the beginning of his reign from the Ammonites, whe... [ Continue Reading ]
_And fasted seven days_ To testify their sorrow for the loss of Saul, and of the people of God; and to entreat God's favour to prevent the utter extinction of his people. But we must not understand this word of fasting strictly, as if they ate nothing for seven whole days; but in a more large sense,... [ Continue Reading ]