Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Samuel 1:21

21 Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain upon you , nor fields of offerings : for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away , the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oyl .

This is no proper Imprecation; which he had no reason to inflict upon those harmless Mountains; but onely a passionate representation of the Horror which he conceived at this publick Loss; which was such, as if he thought every person or thing which contributed to it, were fit to bear the tokens of Divine displeasure, such as this is, when the Earth wants the blessed and necessary Influences of Dew and Rain.

i. e. Fruitful fields, which may produce fair and goodly Fruits fit to be offered unto God.

The Shields of the Valiant men of Israel.

Dishonourably: for it was a great Reproach to any Soldier, to cast away or lose his Shield.

To wit, by themselves, that they might flee more swiftly away, as the Israelites did, and Saul with the rest; as is said, 1 Sam. 31. 1, 2.

As if he had been no more, nor better than a common Soldier: he was exposed to the same kind of Death and Reproach as they were.

Marginal references: Heb. heaveofferings.; Heb. was loathed; so Gr.