1 Samuel · Chapter 13

Verse 1. Saul reigned one year] A great deal of learned labour has been employed and lost on this verse, to reconcile it with propriety and common sense. I shall not recount the meanings put on it. I think this clause belongs to the preceding chapter, either as a part of the whole, or a chronological note added afterwards; as if the writer had said, These things (related in 1 Samuel 12:1-25) took place in the first year of Saul’s reign: and then he proceeds in the next place to tell us what took place in the second year, the two most remarkable years of Saul’s reign. In the first he is appointed, anointed, and twice confirmed, viz., at Mizpeh and at Gilgal; in the second, Israel is brought into the lowest state of degradation by the Philistines, Saul acts unconstitutionally, and is rejected from being king. These things were worthy of an especial chronological note. And when he had reigned] This should begin the chapter, and be read thus: “And when Saul had reigned two years over Israel, he chose him three thousand,” tic. The Septuagint has left the clause out of the text entirely, and begins the chapter thus: “And Saul chose to himself three thousand men out of the men of Israel.”

Verse 1, 2. One year—two years. The Seventy have not translated this verse. Something is wanting to fill up the sense; and it is supposed to be, that Saul was so many years of age when he began to reign over Israel, (probably about fifty) and when he had reigned two years, Saul chose three thousand guards, as was the case with other kings. These were disciplined for war, as well as to attend the king.

THE PHILISTINES AROUSED, 1-5.

1. Saul reigned one year — This verse, translated in accordance with its parallels in 2 Samuel 2:10; 5:4; 1 Kings 14:21; 22:42, and 2 Kings

8. 26, reads thus: Saul was a year old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years over Israel. All attempts to make the Hebrew text mean anything else are uncritical and do violence to the language. More literally, the Hebrew is, A son of a year was Saul at his being king; that is, upon his becoming king. So, too, in the passages referred to above, A son of forty years was Ishbosheth; A son of thirty years was David, etc. According to the Chaldee, which many have followed in their interpretation, the meaning is, Saul was an innocent child when he began to reign; that is, like a little child a year old. But this interpretation stands opposed to the usus loquendi of the language, as is seen in the passages above referred to, and others like them. It follows, therefore, that certain numerals have fallen out of the Hebrew text in both sentences, for it is evident both that Saul was more than a year old at the beginning of his reign, and that he reigned over Israel more than two years. This defect can now be supplied only by conjecture. According to Josephus, and Acts 13:21, he reigned forty years; and since he had a son old enough at the beginning of his reign to command a division of his army, it would seem that he must have been at least forty years old when he began to reign. It is difficult to reconcile this with the facts and dates of David’s life, for he began to reign when thirty years old, (2 Samuel 5:4,) and that was after Saul’s death; and yet at the time of his victory over Goliath he must have been at least fifteen years old. Had Saul reigned twenty-five years before that event? That seems hardly possible; but we can fill up the defective text of this verse by no more authoritative numbers than those above given.

Verse 2. Two thousand were with Saul] Saul, no doubt, meditated the redemption of his country from the Philistines; and having chosen three thousand men, he thought best to divide them into companies, and send one against the Philistine garrison at Michmash, another against that at Beth-el, and the third against that at Gibeah: he perhaps hoped, by surprising these garrisons, to get swords and spears for his men, of which we find, ( 1 Samuel 13:22,) they were entirely destitute.

Verse 1, 2. One year—two years. The Seventy have not translated this verse. Something is wanting to fill up the sense; and it is supposed to be, that Saul was so many years of age when he began to reign over Israel, (probably about fifty) and when he had reigned two years, Saul chose three thousand guards, as was the case with other kings. These were disciplined for war, as well as to attend the king.

2. Saul chose… three thousand… of Israel — This was probably the first act of his reign, and done at Gilgal immediately after the renewal of the kingdom there. Then all the fighting men of the nation were assembled, numbering over three hundred thousand, (1 Samuel 11:8,) and there could have been no more opportune occasion on which to select a choice standing army. Michmash — This ancient city lay four miles southeast of Beth-el, and its site is identical with the modern Mukhmas, where the traveller still finds many foundations of large hewn stones, and columns lying among them. Mount Beth-el — Like mount Ephraim (1 Samuel 1:1) not a single mountain, but a range of hills, intermediate between Beth-el and Michmash. On these heights Saul stationed his two thousand warriors, and for the time probably had his headquarters at Michmash. A thousand were with Jonathan in Gibeah of Benjamin — This city was called Gibeah of Benjamin, because it belonged to that tribe. Joshua 18:28; Judges 19:14. Its site was at the base of the modern Tuleil-el-Ful, five miles southwest of Michmash. It appears from this passage that Saul had, at the beginning of his reign, a son old enough to take charge of a garrison of a thousand men. He must have been, then, at least forty years of age. Here we first meet with Jonathan, the strategic warrior and fast friend of David. The rest of the people — Who had assembled at Gilgal to witness the inauguration of Saul. Having chosen from among them three thousand valiant men, he dismissed the remainder to their homes.

V. 3. Blew-That is, he sent messengers to tell them all what Jonathan had done, and how the Philistines were enraged at it, and therefore what necessity there was of gathering themselves together for their own defence.

Verse 3. Jonathan smote] He appears to have taken this garrison by surprise, for his men had no arms for a regular battle, or taking the place by storm. This is the first place in which this brave and excellent man appears; a man who bears one of the most amiable characters in the Bible. Let the Hebrews hear.] Probably this means the people who dwelt beyond Jordan, who might very naturally be termed here העברים haibrim, from rb[ abar, he passed over; those who are beyond the river Jordan: as Abraham was called yrb[ Ibri because he dwelt beyond the river Euphrates.

Verses 3, 4. Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines — The Philistines, though subdued by Samuel at Eben-ezer, and driven out of the country, yet still retained possession of some strong-holds. Saul blew the trumpet — That is, he sent messengers to tell them all what Jonathan had done, and how the Philistines were enraged at it, and therefore what necessity there was of gathering themselves together for their own defence. Israel heard that Saul had smitten, &c. — Perhaps contrary to some treaty. That Israel was held in abomination with the Philistines — That is, that they were highly incensed to take revenge.

3. The garrison of the Philistines that was in Geba — Geba was situated between Gibeah and Michmash, about three miles from the former place and two from the latter. It was a city of Benjamin (Joshua 18:24) assigned to the priests. Joshua 21:17. The English version confounds it in verse 16 with Gibeah. Its name still lingers in the modern Jeba, a small, half-ruined village on an eminence which commands an extensive view of the Dead Sea and the mountains beyond. “Across the deep ravine on the north,” says Robinson, “we could see the next village on our route, the ancient Michmash, lying directly over against Jeba in a direction about northeast.” Here, as on the heights of Gibeah, (1 Samuel 10:5,) the Philistines had intrenched themselves; though, this may have been the same garrison that is there mentioned, but which had in the meantime, while Israel was at war for the rescue of Jabesh-gilead, advanced as far as Geba. Jonathan probably took this garrison by surprise, as he and his armourbearer did the one mentioned in the following chapter. The Philistines heard — And regarded it as an indication of hostile action on the part of the Israelites. Saul blew the trumpet — Ordered it to be blown. The sound of the trumpet was the usual accompaniment of important proclamations, designed as a signal to arouse the attention of the people. Compare 2 Samuel 15:10; 20:1; 1 Kings 1:34; 2 Kings 9:13.

V. 4. Saul-Perhaps contrary to some treaty.

Verse 4. The people were called together] The smiting of this garrison was the commencement of a war, and in effect the shaking off of the Philistine yoke; and now the people found that they must stand together, and fight for their lives.

Verses 3, 4. Jonathan smote the garrison of the Philistines — The Philistines, though subdued by Samuel at Eben-ezer, and driven out of the country, yet still retained possession of some strong-holds. Saul blew the trumpet — That is, he sent messengers to tell them all what Jonathan had done, and how the Philistines were enraged at it, and therefore what necessity there was of gathering themselves together for their own defence. Israel heard that Saul had smitten, &c. — Perhaps contrary to some treaty. That Israel was held in abomination with the Philistines — That is, that they were highly incensed to take revenge.

4. Was had in abomination — vabn, was made to stink; that is, had become loathsome and hateful to their enemies. When they heard that this Philistine garrison had been dislodged, the Hebrews understood at once that their old enemy of the seacoast would be provoked to war. The people… after Saul to Gilgal — The same Gilgal where the kingdom was renewed, (1 Samuel 11:14,) and where Samuel judged Israel. 1 Samuel 7:16. It was situated in the east border of Jericho, and was the first camping ground of the Israelites after their entrance into the Land of Promise. Joshua 4:19. It is said (verse 12) to be down from Michmash, and also that Samuel went up from it in order to reach Gibeah. Such statements would be improper if made of the northern Gilgal, (Jiljilia,) for that was up both from Gibeah and Michmash. Saul, seeing the Philistines attempting a bold and determined invasion, deemed it prudent to withdraw his own forces from the heights of Michmash and Beth-el, and gather the people together in this more retired spot of the Jordan valley.

V. 5. Thirty thousand chariots, &c.-Most of them, we may suppose, carriages for their baggage, not chariots of war, tho’ all their allies were joined with them.

Verse 5. Thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen] There is no proportion here between the chariots and the cavalry. The largest armies ever brought into the field, even by mighty emperors, never were furnished with thirty thousand chariots.

I think שלשים sheloshim, THIRTY, is a false reading for vlv shalosh, THREE. The Syriac has [Syriac] telotho alpin, and the Arabic [Arabic] thalathato alf, both signifying THREE thousand; and this was a fair proportion to the horsemen. This is most likely to be the true reading.

Verse 5. Thirty thousand chariots — The Syriac and Arabic copies mention only three thousand chariots, which seems to be the true reading; for there is no foundation for believing that the Philistines could bring into the field thirty thousand chariots of war. Indeed we read of nothing like it in all history. Or, we may suppose that most of them were but carriages for the baggage of the army.

Ver. 5. Thirty thousand chariots. The Syriac and Arabic versions read three thousand, which is more than the number of chariots mentioned in the army of any other ancient kings. The Tyrians were in alliance with them.

5. Thirty thousand chariots, and six thousand horsemen — Here we meet another instance of manifest error of numbers in the text. “Thirty thousand war chariots bear no proportion whatever to six thousand horsemen, not only because the number of war-chariots is invariably smaller than that of the horsemen, (compare 2 Samuel 10:18; 1 Kings 10:26; 2 Chronicles 12:3,) but also because such a number of war chariots is never met with either in sacred or profane history, not even in the case of nations that were much more powerful than the Philistines. The number is, therefore, certainly corrupt, and we must either read three thousand, according to the Syriac and Arabic, or else simply one thousand. In the latter case the origin of the number thirty must be attributed to the fact that, through the oversight of a copyist, the l (Hebrew numeral for thirty) of the word larcy, Israel, was written twice, and consequently the second l was taken for the numeral thirty.” — Keil. Came up… pitched in Michmash — Thus occupying the heights from which Saul had fallen back. Beth-aven — This place was on the east of Beth-el, (Joshua 7:2,) and, as we infer from this passage, between it and Michmash; but it has not yet been satisfactorily identified with any modern site.

V. 6. Strait-Notwithstanding their former presumption that if they had a king, they should be free from all such straits. And hereby God intended to teach them the vanity of confidence in men; and that they did not one jot less need the help of God now, than they did when they had no king. And probably they were the more discouraged, because they did not find Samuel with Saul. Sooner or later men will be made to see, that God and his prophets are their best friends.

Verse 6. The people did hide themselves] They, being few in number, and totally unarmed as to swords and spears, were terrified at the very numerous and well-appointed army of the Philistines. Judea was full of rocks, caves, thickets, &c., where people might shelter themselves from their enemies. While some hid themselves, others fled beyond Jordan: and those who did cleave to Saul followed him trembling.

Verse 6. Israel saw that they were in a strait — Though their wonderful success against the Ammonites had encouraged them to obey the summons of such a prosperous leader as Saul had been; yet when they saw the vast army of the Philistines, how well they were appointed, and themselves unprovided, their hearts failed them, and they slunk away from him as fast as they had flocked to him. The people were distressed — Notwithstanding their former presumption, that if they had a king they would be free from all such difficulties and distresses. Hereby God intended to teach them the vanity of confidence in men; and that they did not one jot less need his help now than they did when they had no king. And probably they were the more discouraged, because they did not find Samuel with Saul. Sooner or later men will be made to see that God and his prophets are their best friends.

THE PEOPLE’S DISTRESS, AND SAUL’S UNTIMELY SACRIFICE, 6-15.

6. The people were distressed — They were vexed, harassed, and alarmed by the bold and sudden advance of the Philistine hosts, and despaired being able to stand before them. Thickets — µyjwj, thorns, or thorn bushes. High places — µyjrx, strongholds, as pits or cellars, as at Judges 9:46, 49.

V. 7. All the people-That is, all that were left.

Verses 7, 8. Some of the Hebrews went over Jordan — They fled as far as they could from the present danger, even into the country of the two tribes and a half. All the people followed him trembling — That is, all that were left, who, it appears, were not many. He tarried seven days — Not seven complete days, for the last day was not finished. According to the set time that Samuel had appointed — This seems to refer to the command given two years before, and recorded 1 Samuel 10:8: see the note on that verse. But Samuel came not to Gilgal — So soon as Saul expected him.

7. Hebrews went over Jordan — Which shows that the Gilgal where Saul tarried all this time was in the plains of Jericho, (see on verse 4,) whence numbers might easily steal away to the land of Gad and Gilead, which lay across the Jordan immediately opposite Jericho. Followed him trembling — Those that did follow him, over and above the many that deserted to the caves and deserts, trembled through fear of soon falling into the hands of an enraged and cruel enemy.

V. 8. Seven days-Not seven compleat days; for the last day was not finished.

Verse 8. He tarried seven days according to the set time] Samuel in the beginning had told Saul to wait seven days, and he would come to him, and show him what to do, 1 Samuel 10:8. What is here said cannot be understood of that appointment, but of a different one. Samuel had at this time promised to come to him within seven days, and he kept his word, for we find him there before the day was ended; but as Saul found he did not come at the beginning of the seventh day, he became impatient, took the whole business into his own hand, and acted the parts of prophet, priest, and king; and thus he attempted a most essential change in the Israelitish constitution. In it the king, the prophet, and the priest, are in their nature perfectly distinct. What such a rash person might have done, if he had not been deprived of his authority, who can tell? But his conduct on this occasion sufficiently justifies that deprivation. That he was a rash and headstrong man is also proved by his senseless adjuration of the people about food, 1 Samuel 14:24, and his unfeeling resolution to put the brave Jonathan, his own son, to death, because he had unwittingly acted contrary to this adjuration, 1 Samuel 14:44. Saul appears to have been a brave and honest man, but he had few of those qualities which are proper for a king, or the governor of a people.

Verses 7, 8. Some of the Hebrews went over Jordan — They fled as far as they could from the present danger, even into the country of the two tribes and a half. All the people followed him trembling — That is, all that were left, who, it appears, were not many. He tarried seven days — Not seven complete days, for the last day was not finished. According to the set time that Samuel had appointed — This seems to refer to the command given two years before, and recorded 1 Samuel 10:8: see the note on that verse. But Samuel came not to Gilgal — So soon as Saul expected him.

Ver. 8. According to the set time. The Lord is perfect in keeping promise with man: but the carnal heart has not patience with providence. Aaron must make a calf before the forty days were quite expired. This was Saul’s sin. Samuel will not come; and when he did come, Saul laid all the blame upon the people. The Lord saw that seven days were requisite for the trial and purification of Saul, and his army. Being unarmed, except the guards, deliverance must now be expected from the Lord alone.

8. He tarried seven days, according to the set time that Samuel — It is proper to complete this sentence, as our translators have done, by had appointed. The reference is to Samuel’s words, as recorded in chap. 10:8. That seer’s prophetic eye had fastened on this scene of excitement and trial, and he had given Saul solemn counsel to wait at such time for his coming and additional directions. This season of trial was designed to test severely the youthful monarch’s faith in God. Samuel came not to Gilgal — Came not until the middle or latter part of the seventh day. He seems to have stayed away purposely, in order to furnish occasion for Saul to show his faith by obedience to the commandment of Jehovah.

Verse 9. And he offered the burnt-offering.] This was most perfectly unconstitutional; he had no authority to offer, or cause to be offered, any of the Lord’s sacrifices.

9. He offered the burnt offering — We need not suppose that Saul offered this sacrifice with his own hand. As we have observed on chap. 7:9, the presence of priests on such occasions is naturally understood, and no specification of that fact was necessary. So Saul’s blowing of the trumpet (verse 3) throughout all the land is not to be understood of his personal act. The command, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, is but a part of the order to offer such sacrifice in his presence.

Verse 10. Behold, Samuel came] Samuel was punctual to his appointment; one hour longer of delay would have prevented every evil, and by it no good would have been lost. How often are the effects of precipitation fatal!

10. That he might salute him — Or, bless him, as the margin has it. Saul held Samuel in the highest esteem, and always showed the greatest reverence for his prophetical office; but his rash and headstrong disposition led him more than once to forget or disregard his counsels.

V. 11. Camest not-That is, when the seventh day was come, and a good part of it past, whence I concluded thou wouldst not come that day.

Verse 11. And Saul said] Here he offers three excuses for his conduct: 1. The people were fast leaving his standard. 2. Samuel did not come at the time, למועד lemoed; at the very commencement of the time he did not come, but within that time he did come. 3. The Philistines were coming fast upon him. Saul should have waited out the time; and at all events he should not have gone contrary to the counsel of the Lord.

Verses 11, 12. I saw that thou camest not — When the seventh day was come, and a good part of it was past, I concluded thou wouldst not come that day. I have not made supplication — Hence it appears that sacrifices were accompanied with solemn prayers. I forced myself — I did it against my own mind and inclination: I offered a burnt-offering lest my enemies should attack me before I had commended myself and my cause to God, and entreated his aid and blessing.

11. What hast thou done — Samuel’s heart sinks within him, and this question is the exclamation of an inward pang. He probably saw remorse and sorrow depicted on the face of the unhappy Saul.

V. 12. Supplication-Thence it appears, that sacrifices were accompanied with solemn prayers. Forced myself-I did it against my own mind and inclination.

Verse 12. I forced myself] It was with great reluctance that I did what I did. In all this Saul was sincere, but he was rash, and regardless of the precept of the Lord, which precept or command he most evidently had received, 1 Samuel 13:13. And one part of this precept was, that the Lord should tell him what he should do. Without this information, in an affair under the immediate cognizance of God, he should have taken no step.

Verses 11, 12. I saw that thou camest not — When the seventh day was come, and a good part of it was past, I concluded thou wouldst not come that day. I have not made supplication — Hence it appears that sacrifices were accompanied with solemn prayers. I forced myself — I did it against my own mind and inclination: I offered a burnt-offering lest my enemies should attack me before I had commended myself and my cause to God, and entreated his aid and blessing.

12. I forced myself — I did violence to my conscience, and with great reluctance did this act. But all his apology is very feeble in the face of a broken commandment, and of the most plain and solemn counsels of his great spiritual father.

V. 13. For ever-The phrase, for ever, in scripture often signifies only a long time. So this had been abundantly verified, if the kingdom had been enjoyed by Saul, and by his son, and by his son’s son; after whom the kingdom might have come to Judah.

Verse 13. The Lord would have established thy kingdom for ever — The phrase, for ever, in Scripture, often signifies only a long time. And this declaration would have been abundantly verified, if the kingdom had been enjoyed by Saul, and by his son, and by his son’s son; after whom the kingdom might have come to Judah.

13. Thou hast done foolishly — “The prophet knew very well that there are many foolishnesses in the heart of man; but in his view, and in that of all the sacred writers, the lowest depth of human foolishness was in disobedience to the Lord’s commandments. There are two kinds of fools prominently noticed in Scripture — the fool who denies that there is any God, and the fool who does not obey God though he does not deny his existence. And yet, after all, these are but one. One may as well believe there is no God as not to obey him.” — Kitto.

V. 14. A man-That is, such a man as will fulfil all the desires of his heart, and not oppose them, as thou dost. Commanded-That is, hath appointed, as the word command is sometimes used: but though God threatened but Saul with the loss of his kingdom for his sin; yet it is not improbable, there was a tacit condition implied, to wit, if he did not repent of this; and of all his sins; for the full, and final, and peremptory sentence of Saul’s rejection, is plainly ascribed to another cause, 1 Samuel 15:11,23,26,28,29, and ‘till that second offence, neither the spirit of the Lord departed from him, nor was David anointed in his stead. “But was it not hard, to punish so little a sin so severely?” It was not little: disobedience to an express command, tho’ in a small matter, is a great provocation. And indeed, there is no little sin, because there is no little god to sin against. In general, what to men seems a small offence, to him who knows the heart may appear a heinous crime. We are taught hereby, how necessary it is, that we wait on our God continually. For Saul is sentenced to lose his kingdom for want of two or three hours patience.

Verse 14. The Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart] That this man was David is sufficiently clear from the sequel. But in what sense was he a man after God’s own heart? Answer: 1. In his strict attention to the law and worship of God. 2. In his admitting, in the whole of his conduct, that God was King in Israel, and that he himself was but his vicegerent. 3. In never attempting to alter any of those laws, or in the least change the Israelitish constitution. 4. In all his public official conduct he acted according to the Divine mind, and fulfilled the will of his Maker: thus was he a man after God’s own heart. In reference to his private or personal moral conduct, the word is never used. This is the sense alone in which the word is used here and elsewhere; and it is unfair and wicked to put another meaning on it in order to ridicule the revelation of God, as certain infidels have done.

Verse 14. A man after his own heart — That is, such a man as will fulfil all the desires of his heart, and not oppose, them as thou dost. The Lord hath commanded — That is, hath appointed, as the word commanded is often used. But although God threatened Saul with the loss of his kingdom for his sin, yet, it is not improbable, there was a tacit condition implied, namely, if he did not repent of this, and of all his sins; for the full, and final, and peremptory sentence of Saul’s rejection is plainly ascribed to another cause, 1 Samuel 15:11, 23-29; and, till that second offence, neither the Spirit of the Lord departed from him, nor was David anointed in his stead. But, “was not this a severe sentence now passed on Saul? Was it not hard to punish so little a sin with the loss of his kingdom?” Not to mention that no sin is little, because God, against whom all sin is committed, is a being of infinite majesty; and not to insist that what to men seems a small offence, to him, who knows the heart, may appear a heinous crime; this sin of Saul certainly can in no point of view be thought little, being an act of manifest disobedience to a known and express command of God; and disobedience to God, though in a small matter, is a great provocation. “Samuel expressly says, Thou hast not kept the commandment of the Lord thy God, which he commanded thee. What was this commandment? Why, not only to wait seven days till Samuel came to assist at the sacrifice, but to receive God’s direction, by the prophet, what he should do, or what measures he was to take upon the invasion of the Philistines, and not to act in so critical a conjuncture without his orders. Saul, under a pretence of piety, and making supplication to the Lord, absolutely contradicts the command, thinks himself above waiting for the prophet, takes upon himself the ordinance of an affair that no way belonged to him; and, as though God’s direction by the prophet was of no consequence to him, resolves to act for himself, and deal with the Philistines as well as he could. Let any inferior prince thus violate the orders of his sovereign, and act in any affair of importance directly contrary to his instructions and duty, and no one will scruple to pronounce him guilty of rebellion, or think he was too hardly treated by being removed from his dignity and government.” — Dodd and Chandler.

Ver. 14. A man after God’s own heart. David’s heart was perfect with the Lord, in the encouragement and preservation of the true religion. His moral errors were temporary, and he rose above them with all the becoming fruits of repentance. What is one dark shade, compared with a whole life of brilliant virtues. Fallen men should be encouraged to rise again.

14. Thy kingdom shall not continue — This means, as the context and the sequel show, that his kingdom should not be transmitted to his posterity, but transferred to another person of a truer heart. Neither this passage, nor its parallel in 1 Samuel 15:28, means that Saul was to be personally deposed, and another succeed him during his lifetime. The words of Samuel are simply a prophecy of what was to be. A man after his own heart — David, as we shall find in the subsequent history.

Verse 15. And Samuel arose] Though David, in the Divine purpose, is appointed to be captain over the people, yet Saul is not to be removed from the government during his life; Samuel therefore accompanies him to Gibeah, to give him the requisite help in this conjuncture. About six hundred men.] The whole of the Israelitish army at this time, and not one sword or spear among them!

Verses 15-17. Saul numbered the people, about six hundred men — A strange alteration since the last year, when, going out against the Ammonites, he had three hundred thousand with him, besides those of Judah, chap. 11:6. Saul, and the people, abode in Gibeah — This was a strong place, in which they could defend themselves better than in the open field. The spoilers came out, in three companies — The Philistines sent out parties three several ways, to ravage the country, there being none to oppose them. This, we find from sundry instances, was the method which the enemies of Israel usually took to distress them.

15. About six hundred men — Alas! Whither had gone the two thousand select warriors that were with him on the heights of Michmash? Fled to the thickets and the caves. Ammonites they can boldly fight and conquer; but when the Philistines threaten with numbers as the sand of the sea, their memory is filled with past oppressions, and they cower and tremble at the thoughts of battle.

Verses 15-17. Saul numbered the people, about six hundred men — A strange alteration since the last year, when, going out against the Ammonites, he had three hundred thousand with him, besides those of Judah, chap. 11:6. Saul, and the people, abode in Gibeah — This was a strong place, in which they could defend themselves better than in the open field. The spoilers came out, in three companies — The Philistines sent out parties three several ways, to ravage the country, there being none to oppose them. This, we find from sundry instances, was the method which the enemies of Israel usually took to distress them.

POSITION, MOVEMENTS, AND CONDITION OF THE TWO ARMIES, 16-23.

16. Gibeah of Benjamin — Rather, Geba, according to the margin, for this also was a city of Benjamin. Joshua 18:24; 21:17. Many interpreters have, like our translators, confounded this place with Gibeah; but it was some three miles distant. See on verse 3. It is quite likely that after he had smitten the Philistine garrison Jonathan held this place, and did not withdraw to Gilgal with his father; and after Saul’s unsuccessful attempt to muster the people at Gilgal, that monarch, with the six hundred that did not desert him, went up to reinforce Jonathan at Geba. The Philistine army lay encamped upon the heights of Michmash, in full view of Saul and Jonathan, and separated by a deep valley between.

Verse 17. The spoilers came out] The Philistines, finding that the Israelites durst not hazard a battle, divided their army into three bands, and sent them in three different directions to pillage and destroy the country. Jonathan profited by this circumstance, and attacked the remains of the army at Michmash, as we shall see in the succeeding chapter.

Verses 15-17. Saul numbered the people, about six hundred men — A strange alteration since the last year, when, going out against the Ammonites, he had three hundred thousand with him, besides those of Judah, chap. 11:6. Saul, and the people, abode in Gibeah — This was a strong place, in which they could defend themselves better than in the open field. The spoilers came out, in three companies — The Philistines sent out parties three several ways, to ravage the country, there being none to oppose them. This, we find from sundry instances, was the method which the enemies of Israel usually took to distress them.

17. The spoilers — Marauding parties, whose object was to spy out the land and condition of the enemy, and do him all the injury possible. Ophrah — Located at the modern Taiyibeh, five or six miles north of Michmash. This also was a city of Benjamin. Joshua 18:23. The land of Shual — This must have been the territory around, and more probably somewhat to the north of, Ophrah, though its exact position is unknown. If, as some suppose, it be the same as the land of Sha-lim, (1 Samuel 9:4,) it confirms our conjecture as to the route of Saul when in search of the asses.

18. Beth-horon — This lay westward from Michmash. On Beth-horon nether and upper, see Joshua 10:11; 16:3, 5. The way of the border that looketh to the valley of Zeboim toward the wilderness — Or, as Keil translates: The way to the territory that rises above the valley, etc. The valley of Zeboim has not been fairly identified with any modern name, though one traveller (Grove, in Smith’s Dict.) gives worthy reasons for identifying it with a wild gorge through which he was conducted in 1858 from Jericho to Michmash. This gorge, lying to the east of Michmash, bears the Arabic name of Shuk ed-Dubba, equivalent to the Hebrews µy[bxh yg, valley of hyenas. As the other two parties went one to the north towards Ophrah, and the other west towards Beth-horon, we naturally suppose that the third took their route towards the east over the heights that look towards the southeast, and very likely along this very gorge. According to this view the wilderness would be the wild district between Michmash and Jericho.

Verse 19. Now there was no smith found] It is very likely that in the former wars the Philistines carried away all the smiths from Israel, as Porsenna did in the peace which he granted to the Romans, not permitting any iron to be forged except for the purposes of agriculture: “Ne ferro, nisi in agricultura, uterentur.” The Chaldeans did the same to the Jews in the time of Nebuchadnezzar; they carried away all the artificers, 2 Kings 24:14; Jeremiah 24:1; 29:2. And in the same manner did Cyrus treat the Lydians, Herod. lib. i., c. 145. See several examples in Calmet.

Verse 19. There was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel — To this miserable condition the Philistines had reduced them during the forty years’ tyranny which they exercised over them, as we read Judges 13:1. But after Samuel had put an end to that tyranny, by the great overthrow which he gave the Philistines at Eben-ezer, it seems something strange they had not restored their artificers. But the sloth of the Israelites appears in their whole story: and it was not easy, in so short a time, for men to learn this trade, which the Philistines wisely destroyed, as the Chaldeans, when they took Jerusalem, carried away all the smiths to Babylon, that they who remained in the land might not arm themselves again, 2 Kings 24:14.

19. No smith — vrj, a graver, a workman: whether in wood, stone, or metals, is usually determined by the context. The Philistines, like other conquerors, had, during the long period of their dominion over Israel, removed all the artificers. After their deliverance by the hand of Samuel, (1 Samuel 7:13,) the Israelites seem to have taken no measures to supply themselves with workmen and arms, such as they had formerly possessed. For the purpose of sharpening their agricultural implements they were obliged to resort to their enemies; and yet so loth were they to do this that their instruments often became very dull. See on verse 21. In the war with the Ammonites the Israelites probably found the sling and the bow (see note on 1 Samuel 11:9) so serviceable that they saw no particular necessity for swords and spears, and took no pains to collect them. Still, we are not to suppose that Saul and his son were the only ones in all Israel that had weapons of this kind. Verse 22 expressly tells us that it was with the people who were with Saul and Jonathan, that is, the six hundred with Saul, (verse 15 and 1 Samuel 14:2,) and perhaps a still smaller number with Jonathan, that neither sword nor spear was found. The writer’s object in introducing the statements of verses 19-22 seems to have been to show how illy prepared, according to all human appearance, the Israelitish army under Saul and Jonathan was to cope with its thoroughly equipped antagonist.

V. 20. Philistines-Not to the land of the Philistines, but to the stations and garrisons which the Philistines retained in several parts of Israel’s land, though Samuel’s authority had so far over-awed them, that they durst not give the Israelites much disturbance. In these, therefore, the Philistines kept all the smiths; and here they allowed them the exercise of their art for the uses following.

Verse 20. But all the Israelites went down to the Philistines] We find from this that they did not grant them as much as Porsenna did to the Romans; he permitted the people to manufacture the implements of husbandry.

Verses 20, 21. The Israelites went down to the Philistines — Not to the country of the Philistines, for that was too far from many parts of the land of Israel; but to their garrisons, which they held among them even after Samuel had driven the main body of them out of the country. In these, it seems, the Philistines kept all the smiths, and there they allowed them to exercise their art for the uses following. Yet they had a file, &c. — They were allowed some proper instruments and tools for sharpening their implements of husbandry, in some degree; but no other.

20. Share… mattock — It is hardly possible to determine the real meaning of the Hebrew words thus translated here. Both words are from the same root, (vrj,) and may signify the sickle, the coulter, or the hoe, as well as the ploughshare or the mattock. In view of the uncertainty respecting these and other agricultural terms of the Hebrews, the reader may as well abide by the English version as any other.

Verse 21. Yet they had a file] The Hebrew hryxp petsirah, from rxp patsar, to rub hard, is translated very differently by the versions and by critics. Our translation may be as likely as any: they permitted them the use of files, (I believe the word means grindstone,) to restore the blunted edges of their tridents axes, and goads.

Verses 20, 21. The Israelites went down to the Philistines — Not to the country of the Philistines, for that was too far from many parts of the land of Israel; but to their garrisons, which they held among them even after Samuel had driven the main body of them out of the country. In these, it seems, the Philistines kept all the smiths, and there they allowed them to exercise their art for the uses following. Yet they had a file, &c. — They were allowed some proper instruments and tools for sharpening their implements of husbandry, in some degree; but no other.

21. A file — Or, as the margin, a file with mouths. So the Rabbins and other interpreters have understood the Hebrew words, µyp hryxph. But the words can hardly mean a sharpening tool. The root, rxp, means to notch, to indent; and hryxp, applied to the edges of instruments for cutting, most naturally means indentation in the sense of dulling. Thus this verse tells us the result of the lack of smiths in Israel: the agricultural instruments became nicked and dull. Keil supposes that the final h in hryxp should be connected with the next word as the article, and he translates the verse thus: So that bluntness of the edges occurred in the edge tools, and the plough-shares, and the trident, and the axes, and the setting of the goad.

V. 22. Sword-It seems restrained to the six hundred that were with Saul and Jonathan; for there were no doubt a considerable number of swords and spears among the Israelites, but they generally hid them, as now they did their persons, from the Philistines. And the Philistines had not yet attained to so great a power over them, as wholly to disarm them, but thought it sufficient to prevent the making of new arms; knowing that the old ones would shortly be decayed, and useless. There were likewise other arms more common in those times and places, than swords and spears; to wit, bows and arrows, and slings and stones.

Verse 22. In the day of battle-these was neither sword nor spear] But if the Israelites enjoyed such profound peace and undisturbed dominion under Samuel, how is it that they were totally destitute of arms, a state which argues the lowest circumstances of oppression and vassalage? In answer to this we may observe, that the bow and the sling were the principal arms of the Israelites; for these they needed no smith: the most barbarous nations, who have never seen iron, have nevertheless bows and arrows; the arrow heads generally made of flint. Arrows of this kind are found among the inhabitants of the South Sea islands; and even axes, and different implements of war, all made of stone, cut and polished by stone, are frequent among them. The arms of the aboriginal Irish have been of this kind. I have frequently seen heads of axes and arrows of stone, which have been dug up out of the ground, formed with considerable taste and elegance. The former the common people term thunderbolts; the latter, elf-stones. Several of these from Ireland, from Zetland, and from the South Sea islands, are now before me.

Now it is possible that the Israelites had still bows and arrows: these they could have without the smith; and it is as likely that they had slings, and for these they needed none. But then these were missiles; if they came into close fight, they would avail them nothing: for attacks of this kind they would require swords and spears; of these none were found but with Saul and Jonathan. WE see, in this chapter, Israel brought to as low a state as they were under Eli; when they were totally discomfited, their priests slain, their ark taken, and the judge dead. After that, they rose by the strong hand of God; and in this way they are now to rise, principally by means of David, whose history will soon commence.

I SAMUEL

Verse 22. There was neither sword nor spear — This, it seems, must be restrained to the six hundred that were with Saul and Jonathan; for there were, no doubt, a considerable number of swords and spears among the Israelites, but they generally hid them, as now they did their persons, from the Philistines. And the Philistines had not yet attained to so great a power over them as wholly to disarm them, but thought it sufficient to prevent the making of new arms, knowing that the old ones would shortly be decayed and useless. There were likewise other arms more common in those times and places than swords and spears; to wit, bows and arrows, and slings and stones. And besides these, people anciently often used clubs, wherewith to beat down their enemies; and, before the invention of spears with iron points, they had sharp stakes hardened in the fire, as many authors inform us.

POSITION, MOVEMENTS, AND CONDITION OF THE TWO ARMIES, 16-23.

16. Gibeah of Benjamin — Rather, Geba, according to the margin, for this also was a city of Benjamin. Joshua 18:24; 21:17. Many interpreters have, like our translators, confounded this place with Gibeah; but it was some three miles distant. See on verse 3. It is quite likely that after he had smitten the Philistine garrison Jonathan held this place, and did not withdraw to Gilgal with his father; and after Saul’s unsuccessful attempt to muster the people at Gilgal, that monarch, with the six hundred that did not desert him, went up to reinforce Jonathan at Geba. The Philistine army lay encamped upon the heights of Michmash, in full view of Saul and Jonathan, and separated by a deep valley between.

Verse 23. And the garrison of the Philistines went out — This probably refers to the garrison mentioned in the beginning of the next chapter. And Michmash seems to have been the name of the garrison, not of the passage: as if it had been said, The garrison of the Philistines in Michmash went out to the passage. For Michmash, it appears, was upon a high hill, as Gibeah was, between which places was a valley, called here a passage, into which the garrison descended to invite the Israelites to battle.

23. The passage of Michmash — This was the deep, wild Wady es-Suweinit, which lies between Geba and Michmash, of which Dr. Robinson says, (Bib. Res., vol. i, p. 441:) “It begins in the neighbourhood of Beitin and el-Bireh; and as it breaks through the ridge below these places its sides form precipitous wails. On the right, about a quarter of an hour below where we crossed, it again contracts, and passes off between high perpendicular precipices.”