Commentary LibraryCommentaries on 1 Samuel 13:17
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John Gill
INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 13 This chapter relates how Saul disposed of his army, 1 Samuel 13:1 that Jonathan his son smote a garrison of Philistines, which provoked them to come out with a large army against them, to the great terror of the Israelites, many of whom fled to secret places, and to distant parts, 1 Samuel 13:3, that Saul tarried at Gilgal waiting for Samuel, but he not coming so...
John Gill
And the spoilers came out of the camp of the Philistines in three companies,.... Saul not daring to come out to fight them, and there being none throughout the land to oppose them, they sent out three companies of soldiers to ravage and spoil the country; of so little use and service was a king to Israel, they were so extremely desirous of; and this was suffered, to convince them of their vain...
Matthew Henry
Those that desired a king like all the nations fancied that, when they had one, they should look very great and considerable; but in this chapter we find it proved much otherwise. While Samuel was joined in commission with Saul things went well, ch. xi. 7. But, now that Saul began to reign alone, all went to decay, and Samuel's words began to be fulfilled: "You shall be consumed, both you and...