John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 4. And the Philistines gathered themselves together , etc.] From different parts, and formed a considerable army: and came and pitched in Shunem ; a city, in the borders of the tribe of Issachar, of which (see Gill on “ Joshua 19:18”); and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa ; a range of mountains, near Jezreel, and which Jerom calls the mountains of the Philistines, six miles from Scythopolis, where there is a large village called Gelbus.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-6 - David could not refuse Achish without danger. If he promise assistance, and then stood neuter, or went over to the Israelites, he would behave with ingratitude and treachery. If he fought agains Israel, he would sin greatly. It seemed impossible that he should ge out of this difficulty with a clear conscience; but his evasive answer intended to gain time, was not consistent with the character of a Israelite indeed. Troubles are terrors to the children of disobedience In his distress, Saul inquired of the Lord. He did not seek in faith but with a double, unstable mind. Saul had put the law in force agains those that had familiar spirits, Ex 22:18. Many seem zealous against sin, when they are any way hurt by it, who have no concern for the glory of God, nor any dislike of sin as sin. Many seem enemies to sin in others, while they indulge it in themselves. Saul will drive the devil out of his kingdom, yet harbours him in his heart by envy an malice. How foolish to consult those whom, according to God's law, he had endeavoured to root out!
Original Hebrew ויקבצו6908 פלשׁתים6430 ויבאו935 ויחנו2583 בשׁונם7766 ויקבץ6908 שׁאול7586 את853 כל3605 ישׂראל3478 ויחנו2583 בגלבע׃1533
