1 Sam. 13 Saul and Jonathan’s select band. Jonathan smiteth the garrison of the Philistines at Gibeah: the people are called together at Gilgal, 1 Sam. 13:1–4. The Philistines’ great host: the Israelites run into caves; and tremble, 1 Sam. 13:5–7.

Reigned one year, i.e. had now reigned one year, from his first election at Mizpeh, in which time these things were done, which are recorded 1 Sam. 11:0; 1 Sam. 12:0, to wit, peaceably, or righteously. Compare 2 Sam. 2:10.

Saul chose, Heb. and (i.e. then, as that adverb is oft used, as Gen. 3:5, Gen. 18:10;c.) Saul chose. Three thousand men of Israel; which he thought sufficient for constant attendance and service, intending to summon the rest when need should be.

The first design of Saul and Jonathan was to free then land from the garrisons which the Philistines had in it; and they first begin to clear their own country of Benjamin. Geba; not the same place called Gibeah, 1 Sam.

Saul had smitten, i.e. Jonathan by Saul’s direction and encouragement. The actions of an army are commonly ascribed to their general. Gilgal; the place before appointed by Samuel, 1 Sam. 10:8.

Thirty thousand chariots: this number seems incredible to infidels; to whom it may be sufficient to reply, that it is far more rational to acknowledge a mistake in him that copied out the sacred text in such numeral or historical passages, wherein the doctrine of faith and good life is not directly…

They were in a 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 all carnal confidence in men; and that they did not one jot less need the help and favour of God now than they did…

All the people, to wit, his whole army, opposed to the common people, 1 Sam. 13:6.

Seven days; not seven complete days; for that the last day was not finished plainly appears from Samuel’s reproof, which had then been groundless and absurd, and he had falsely charged Saul with breaking God’s command therein, 1 Sam. 13:13.

Either himself; or rather by the priest, as Solomon is said to offer, 1 Kings 3:4, 1 Sam. 1:3.

Behold, Samuel came, i.e. it was told Saul, Behold, Samuel is coming. Salute him, i.e. congratulate his coming. This he did, partly out of custom; and partly, that by this testimony of his affection and respect to Samuel, he might prevent that rebuke which his guilty conscience made him expect.

What hast thou done? he suspected that Saul had transgressed, either by his dejected countenance, or some words uttered by him, though not here expressed; but he asks him, that he might be more fitly and certainly informed, and that Saul might be brought to an ingenuous confession of his sin, and…

I have not made supplication to the Lord; hence it appears that sacrifices were accompanied with solemn prayers. I forced myself; I did it against my own mind and inclination.

Thou hast done foolishly in that very thing wherein thou thinkest thou hast done wisely and politicly, in disobeying my express command upon a pretended necessity, or reason of state.

Hath sought, i.e. hath found or discovered, as men do by seeking, an anthropopathy. A man after his own heart, i.e. such a man as he desires, one who will fulfil all the desires of his heart, and not oppose them, as thou dost. Hath commanded, i.e.

Unto Gibeah of Benjamin; whither Saul also followed him, as appears from the next verse; either because it was better fortified than Gilgal; or because he expected a greater increase of his army there, it being in his own tribe, and nearer the heart of his kingdom; or because he hoped for Samuel’s…

In three companies; that they might march several ways, and so waste several parts of the country. Ophrah; a city of Benjamin, Josh. 18:23, south-west from Michmash.

Beth-boron; a city of Ephraim, Josh. 16:3. north-west from Michmash. The wilderness, i.e. the wilderness of Jordan, eastward.

This was a politic course of the Philistines, which also other nations have used. So the Chaldeans took away their smiths, 2 Kings 24:14, Jer. 24:1, Jer. 30:2; and Porsenna obliged the Romans by covenant, that they should use no iron but in the tillage of their lands.

To the Philistines; not to the land of the Philistines, for it is not said so, and that was too remote; but to the stations and garrisons which the Philistines yet retained in several parts of Israel’s land, though Samuel’s authority had so far overawed them, that they durst not give the Israelites…

So the sense is, They allowed them some small helps to make their mattocks, and in some sort to serve their present use. But these words may be otherwise translated, and are so by some learned, both ancient and modern, translators: thus, Therefore the mouths or edges of the mattocks a coulters, &.

Quest. How could the Israelites smite either the garrison of the Philistines, above, 1 Sam. 13:3, or the host of the Ammonites, 1 Sam. 11:11, without arms? And when they had conquered them, why did they not take away their arms, and reserve them to their own use? Answ. 1.

A place so called, because it was near to Michmash, and led towards Gibeah, which, it seems, they designed to besiege, and in the mean time to waste the adjoining country.