_THE ISRAELITES ARE OVERCOME BY THE PHILISTINES: SAUL AND HIS THREE SONS PERISH: THE PHILISTINES FASTEN HIS BODY TO THE WALLS OF BETHSHAN: VALIANT MEN FROM JABESH-GILEAD CARRY OFF THE BODIES OF SAUL AND HIS SONS, AND BURY THEM NEAR THEIR CITY._ _Before Christ 1055._... [ Continue Reading ]
NOW THE PHILISTINES FOUGHT AGAINST ISRAEL— That is, as most interpreters understand it, began to fight against, or attacked, the Israelites. The word נלחמים _nilchamim,_ as Dr. Delaney observes, might as properly have been rendered _assaulted._ He is of opinion, not only that the Philistines attacke... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE PHILISTINES SLEW JONATHAN, AND ABINADAB, &C.— Ish-bosheth probably either was not in the battle, or escaped by flight. Thus the prediction of Samuel was fulfilled. But who can forbear to drop a tear over the faithful, the amiable, the excellent Jonathan. There are few characters among men mo... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE ARCHERS HIT HIM— Houbigant renders this verse thus, _Then the battle going hard against Saul, the archers rushed upon him, from whom he received a great wound._ Saul, says he, would hardly have commanded his armour-bearer to kill him, if he had not been in a desperate state. The words, _lest... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SAID SAUL UNTO HIS ARMOUR-BEARER— 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 perished by the same sword is sufficiently evident. _Draw thy sword,_ says he to him, _and thrust... [ Continue Reading ]
SO SAUL DIED— Josephus runs out into high encomiums upon Saul, who, knowing that he was to die, thus gallantly exposed himself for his country. But, in truth, there is not the least room for panegyrick. He died, not gallantly fighting, but by his own hand. He died, not as a hero, but as a deserter.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN THE INHABITANTS OF JABESH-GILEAD HEARD, &C.— _Beth-shan_ was a city in the tribe of Manasseh, not far from Jordan and the sea of Gennesareth, to which the men of Jabesh might march in a night's time, and accomplish their design. The Jabethites had great obligations to Saul. He delivered the... [ Continue Reading ]