Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Chronicles 10

1 NOw the Philistins fought against Israel , and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistins, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.

Of this and the following verses till v. 13. see my Notes on 1 Sam. 31. where we have the same thing expressed almost in the same words.

Marginal references: 1 Sam. 31. 1, 2.; Or, wounded.

6 So Saul died, and his three sons, and all his house died together.

i. e. All his Children, to wit, then present with him, namely, his three sons; as it is expressed, 1 Sam. 31. 6. For it is evident that Ishbosheth and Mephibosheth were not slain. But nothing is more common in Scripture and all Authors, than to understand all of a great and most considerable part.

7 And when all the men of Israel that were in the valley , saw that they fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead, then they forsook their cities, and fled, and the Philistins came and dwelt in them.

Which was beneath Mount Gilboa, where the Fight was, v. 1.

10 And they put his armour in the house of their gods, and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon .

And his Body severed from his Head to the Wall of Bethshan, 1 Sam. 31. 10.

Marginal references: Heb. house.

12 They arose, all the valiant men, and took away the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days .

To wit, every day till evening, after the manner of the Jewish Fasts.

13. So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD , which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit , to enquire of it :

The sence is, Wonder not that Saul fell by the Hands of the Philistins, who were armed against him by his own Sin and by Gods Vengeance for it.

Against Gods express, and plain, and positive Command: which is a great Aggravation of any Sin.

Which also was contrary to a manifest Command, Levit. 19. 31. and moreover contrary to his own Conscience which was so fully convinced hereof, that he had endeavoured the utter Extirpation of all such Persons in pursuance of Gods Law. See 1 Sam. 28. 9.

Concerning the Event of the approaching Battel.

Marginal references: Heb. transgressed.; 1 Sam. 13. 13. & 15. 23.; [illegible: 1+ letters] Sam. 28. 7.

14 And enquired not of the LORD : therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.

Obj. Saul enquired of the Lord, 1 Sam. 28. 6. Ans. He did so, but not in a right Manner, not humbly and penitently, not diligently and importunately, not patiently and perseveringly: but when God would not answer him speedily▪ he gives it over and goes from God to the Devil. Compare 1 Sam. 14. 18▪ 19. Such an inconsiderable and trifling Inquiry as Saul made is justly accounted to be no Enquiry at all. As they are said not to eat the Lords Supper, 1 Cor. 11. 20. who did eat it in a sinful and irregular manner.

Marginal references: Heb. Isal,