Bible Commentaries

the Philistines fought. Compare 1 Samuel 31:1-6 and 2 Samuel 1:9, 2 Samuel 1:10.

Abinadab. Another name was Ishui (1 Samuel 14:49).

abuse = insult, or mock.

So Saul died. Here, the event. In 1 Chronicles 10:13, the reason. See the Structure above.

his three sons = three of his sons.

all. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Whole), App-6, put for greater part. See 2 Samuel 2:8; 2 Samuel 21:8.

house. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), for family or household.

took his head. Figure of speech Ellipsis, "head [which they had cut off] and his, &c".

gods. Ashtaroth. Compare 1 Samuel 31:10.

his head. This is additional to 1 Samuel 31:10. "His body", there, is additional to this passage. The two books thus independent and complementary.

buried their bones. After they had burnt them (1 Samuel 31:12).

the oak. Compare 1 Samuel 31:13.

for. In this book the reason; in 1 Samuel only the event. See App-56.

transgression = disobedience, shown in his faithlessness or defection. Hebrew. ma"al. App-44. Compare 1 Samuel 13:13, 1 Samuel 13:14; 1 Samuel 15:1-9; 1 Samuel 28:7.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4. Note it is not Elohim (God).

familiar spirit. See note on Leviticus 19:31.

to enquire = to seek and consult. Hebrew. darash, to seek earnestly. Saul sought thus with the medium, but not with Jehovah.

He: i.e. Jehovah. 1 Chronicles gives the esoteric cause. 1 Samuel gives the exoteric event, which men could see. See App-56.