John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 9. And they cut off his head , etc.] And fastened it in the temple of Dagon, ( 1 Chronicles 10:10); perhaps that which was at Ashdod, one of the principalities of the Philistines, ( 1 Samuel 5:1,2); and stripped off his armour ; or vessels f572 , his clothes as well as his armour, and what he had about him; as for his crown on his head, and the bracelet on his arm, the Amalekite took them before the Philistines came, ( 2 Samuel 1:10); and sent into the land of the Philistines round about : not his head and his armour, for they were placed in the temple of their idols; unless we can suppose these were first carried about for show, and as proofs of the victory: but rather messengers, who were sent express with the news, to publish [it in] the house of their idols, and among the people ; that so they might be glad and rejoice, and give praise to their idols, to whom they ascribed the success they had.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 8-13 - The Scripture makes no mention what became of the souls of Saul and his sons, after they were dead; but of their bodies only: secret thing belong not to us. It is of little consequence by what means we die, or what is done with our dead bodies. If our souls are saved, our bodie will be raised incorruptible and glorious; but not to fear His wrath who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell, is the extreme of folly and wickedness. How useless is the respect of fellow-creatures to those who are suffering the wrath of God! While pompous funerals, gran monuments, and he praises of men, honour the memory of the deceased the soul may be suffering in the regions of darkness and despair! Le us seek that honour which cometh from God only _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew ויכרתו3772 את853 ראשׁו7218 ויפשׁיטו6584 את853 כליו3627 וישׁלחו7971 בארץ776 פלשׁתים6430 סביב5439 לבשׂר1319 בית1004 עצביהם6091 ואת853 העם׃5971
