1 Samuel 10:5

the hill of God Or, Gibeah of God. Gibeahis the term used to denote -the bald rounded hills of central Palestine." This eminence was distinguished as Gibeah of God, or God's hill, from the place of worship on its summit. It is probably to be identified with (a) Gibeah of Benjamin, which was a place of considerable importance (Judges 19:20, compare 1 Samuel 13:2, &c.); and (b) Gibeah of saul, saul's residence (1 Samuel 10:26; 1 Samuel 11:4). Its site is supposed by Dr Robinson to be the conspicuous hill called Tell el Fûl(hill of the bean), about 3 miles N. of Jerusalem; but Lieut. Conder inclines to the view that Saul's city was Geba, and that the district roundwas first called Gibeah of Benjamin, afterwards Gibeah of Saul. Tent Work, II. 111. Gebais no doubt to be identified with Jeba, about 3 miles N. E. of Tell el Fûl.

the garrison of the Philistines A military post established by the Philistines to maintain their hold upon the Israelites. See note on 1 Samuel 7:14. Cp. 1 Samuel 13:3-4 and 2 Samuel 8:6; 2 Samuel 8:14. The word has been otherwise explained to mean (a) a pillar, set up to mark the Philistine conquest, or (b) an officerfor the collection of taxes; but 1 Chronicles 11:16 seems to require the sense "garrison."

a company of prophets A band of the organized society of prophets established by Samuel. See Introd. p. 33, and cp. 1 Samuel 19:20.

and they shall prophesy Better, prophesying. The word has nothing to do with predictionhere, but denotes the expression of religious feeling under the influence of inspiration in hymns and otherwise. See the notes on 1 Samuel 9:9 and 1 Samuel 18:10. In 1 Chronicles 25:1-3 the word is used of chantingpsalms and set services. Such a procession of prophets was naturally accompanied by musical instruments. Cp. Exodus 15:20; 1 Chronicles 13:8; 2 Kings 3:15. The psaltery (Heb. nebel) and harp (Heb. kinnôr) were stringed instruments, the exact form of which is unknown: the tabret or timbrel (Heb. tôph) was a tambourine or hand drum: the pipe (Heb. châlîl) a kind of flute.