1Sa 11:6-7, 11, 14:13, 15, 47-48 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 6. The Spirit of God came upon Saul ] He felt himself strongly excited to attempt the relief of his brethren. And his anger was kindled greatly. ] I believe this means no more than that his courage was greatly excited -he felt himself strong for fight, and confident of success.

‏ 1 Samuel 11:6-7

Verse 6. The Spirit of God came upon Saul] He felt himself strongly excited to attempt the relief of his brethren.

And his anger was kindled greatly.] I believe this means no more than that his courage was greatly excited-he felt himself strong for fight, and confident of success.

Verse 7. He took a yoke of open] The sending the pieces of the oxen was an act similar to that of the Levite, Jud 19:29, where see the note. And both customs are similar to the sending about of the bloody cross, to call the clans to battle, practised by the ancient Highlanders of Scotland. See at the end of this chapter. See Clarke on 1Sa 11:15

‏ 1 Samuel 11:11

Verse 11. Put the people in three companies] Intending to attack the Ammonites in three different points, and to give his own men more room to act.

In the morning watch] He probably began his march in the evening, passed Jordan in the night, and reached the camp of the Ammonites by daybreak.

That two of them were not left together.] This proves that the rout was complete.

‏ 1 Samuel 14:13

Verse 13. Jonathan climbed up] It seems he had a part of the rock still to get over. When he got over he began to slay the guards, which were about twenty in number, these were of a sort of outpost or advanced guard to the garrison.

Slew after him] Jonathan knocked them down, and the armour-bearer despatched them. This seems to be the meaning.

‏ 1 Samuel 14:15

Verse 15. There was trembling in the host] They were terrified and panic-struck; the people in general round about, those in the garrison, the spoilers, and the whole country, were struck with terror; the commotion was universal and most extraordinary. The trembling of the earth is probably not to be taken literally, but as a metaphor for a great commotion in the country, though God might have interposed in an extraordinary manner, and produced a real earthquake; but their being panic-struck was sufficient to produce all the requisite confusion and dismay.

‏ 1 Samuel 14:47-48

Verse 47. So Saul took the kingdom] The Targum appears to give the meaning of this expression: "Saul prospered in his government over Israel." And the proofs of his prosperity are immediately subjoined.

Fought against all his enemies] Of the wars which are mentioned here we have no particulars; they must have endured a long time, and have been, at least in general, successful.

Verse 48. Smote the Amalekites.] This war is mentioned in the following chapter.