John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 1. Now the Philistines fought against Israel , etc.] Being come to Jezreel where Israel pitched, ( 1 Samuel 29:1,11); they fell upon them, began the battle: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines ; at the first onset, as it should seem: and fell down slain in Mount Gilboa ; which was near, and whither fleeing they were pursued and slain, at least great numbers of them.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-7 - We cannot judge of the spiritual or eternal state of any by the manne of their death; for in that, there is one event to the righteous and to the wicked. Saul, when sorely wounded, and unable to resist or to flee expressed no concern about his never-dying soul; but only desired tha the Philistines might not insult over him, or put him to pain, and he became his own murderer. As it is the grand deceit of the devil, to persuade sinners, under great difficulties, to fly to this last act of desperation, it is well to fortify the mind against it, by a seriou consideration of its sinfulness before God, and its miserabl consequences in society. But our security is not in ourselves. Let u seek protection from Him who keepeth Israel. Let us watch and pray; an take unto us the whole armour of God, that we may be able to withstan in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Original Hebrew ופלשׁתים6430 נלחמים3898 בישׂראל3478 וינסו5127 אנשׁי376 ישׂראל3478 מפני6440 פלשׁתים6430 ויפלו5307 חללים2491 בהר2022 הגלבע׃1533
