1 Samuel 31

1 Samuel 31:1

NOw] 1 Chron. 10. 1. Here the writer returneth to the history, from which he had digressed in the former Chapter.

slain] Or, wounded.

1 Samuel 31:2

Abinadab] Who before is called Ishui, Chap. 14. 49.

1 Samuel 31:3

archers] Heb. shooters, men with bowes.

hit him] Heb. found him.

1 Samuel 31:4

al use me] Or, mock me; That is, put me to some disgracefull death, unworthy of my place and calling, if they should take me prisoner. So v. 9, 10.

sore afraid] To wit, out of his reverence towards the person of his king.

1 Samuel 31:6

all his men] That is, the most of his family and kinred; courtiers and commanders, with a great part of his army. So 1 Chro. 10. 6.

1 Samuel 31:7

valley] That is, of Jazreel in the tribe of Issachar, which had the mountains of Gilboa on the south, and mount Hermon on the north

1 Samuel 31:8

morrow] To wit, after the battell.

1 Samuel 31:9

cut off his head] And set it up, and fastned it in the house of Dagon, 1 Chro. 10. 10.

publish it] That is, their great victory, and the death of Saul and his sons, by way of joy and triumph.

idols] Heb. terrours; So named because they possesse the mindes and hearts of their superstitious worshippers with terrours and fears, and neither teach nor comfort them.

1 Samuel 31:10

Ashtareth] See Judg. 2. 13.

to the wall] That is, in the street that was by the city wall, as it Isaiah 2 Samuel 21:12.

Beth-shan] Called also Beth-shean, Joshua 17:11. which was in the lot of Manasseh, but possessed by the Philistines at this time, Judges 1:27. as Keilah also was, Chap. 27. 6. till Achish gave it David.

1 Samuel 31:11

Jabesh-Gilead] In token of thankfulnesse to Saul, who had resoued and delivered them from Nahash. Chapter 11. 11.

of that which the Philistines had done to Saul] Or, concerning him.

1 Samuel 31:12

burnt them there] Both because their flesh having been divers dayes exposed to the sun and air, was so putrified, that they could not be enbalmed with spices and odours; and also hereby prevented any further abuse which might have been offered to their bodies. Others take it thus, That they burnt by their bodies odours and spices, as was used to kings, 2 Chron. 16. 14. Jerem. 34. 5.

1 Samuel 31:13

buried] 2 Samuel 2:4.

seven dayes] That is, till the evening, not out of any prescript of law, but voluntarily to expresse their heavinesse, for the losse of their king and his sons.