CHAPTER XXXI _A battle in Mount Gilboa between Israel and the Philistines; in_ _which the former are defeated, and Saul's three sons slain_, 1, 2. _Saul, being mortally wounded, and afraid to fall alive into the_ _hands of the Philistines, desires his armour-bearer to despatch_ _him; which he... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 31:2. _FOLLOWED HARD UPON SAUL AND UPON HIS SONS_] They, seeing the discomfiture of their troops, were determined to sell their lives as dear as possible, and therefore maintained the battle till the three brothers were slain.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 31:3. _HE WAS SORE WOUNDED OF THE ARCHERS._] It is likely that Saul's sons were slain by the archers, and that Saul was now mortally wounded by the same. Houbigant translates, _The archers_ _rushed upon him, from whom he received a grievous wound_. He farther remarks that had not Saul... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 31:4. _DRAW THY SWORD, AND THRUST ME THROUGH_] Dr. Delaney has some good observations on this part of the subject: "Saul and his armour-bearer died by the same sword. That his armour-bearer died by his own sword is out of all doubt; the text expressly tells us so; and that Saul peris... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 31:6. _AND ALL HIS MEN_] Probably meaning those of his troops which were his _life_ or _body guards_: as to the bulk of the army, it fled at the commencement of the battle, 1 Samuel 31:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 31:7. _THE MEN OF ISRAEL THAT_ WERE _ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE_ _VALLEY_] They appear to have been panic-struck, and therefore fled as far as they could out of the reach of the Philistines. As the Philistines possessed _Beth-shan_, situated near to _Jordan_, the people on _the other si... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 31:8. _ON THE MORROW_] It is very likely that the battle and pursuit continued till the night, so that there was no time till the next day to strip and plunder the slain.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 31:9. _AND THEY CUT OFF HIS HEAD_] It is possible that they cut off the heads of his three sons likewise; for although only _his_ _head_ is said to be cut off, and _his body_ only to be fastened to the walls of Beth-shan, yet we find that the men of Jabesh-gilead found both _his body_... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 31:10. _THEY PUT HIS ARMOUR IN THE HOUSE OF ASHTAROTH_] As David had done in placing the sword of Goliath in the tabernacle. We have already seen that it was common for the conquerors to consecrate armour and spoils taken in war, to those who were the objects of religious worship. _T... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 31:11. _WHEN THE INHABITANTS OF JABESH-GILEAD HEARD_] This act of the men of Jabesh-gilead was an act of gratitude due to Saul, who, at the very commencement of his reign, rescued them from Nahash, king of the Ammonites, (see 1 Samuel 11:1, c.,) and by his timely succours saved them f... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 31:12. _AND BURNT THEM THERE._] It has been denied that the Hebrews _burnt_ the bodies of the dead, but that they _buried_ them in the earth, or _embalmed_ them, and often burnt spices _around them_, c. These no doubt were the common forms of sepulture, but neither of these could be c... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 31:13. _AND FASTED SEVEN DAYS._] To testify their sincere regret for his unfortunate death, and the public calamity that had fallen upon the land. THUS ends the troublesome, and I had almost said the useless, reign of Saul. A king was chosen in opposition to the will of the Most High... [ Continue Reading ]