Saul and Jonathan’s select band. Jonathan smiteth the garrison of the Philistines at Gibeah: the people are called together at Gilgal, 1-4. The Philistines’ great host: the Israelites run into caves; and tremble, 5-7. Saul offereth before Samuel cometh to him; he reproves him for it; foretelleth him that his kingdom should not last long, 8-14. Three companies of the Philistines invade the land; they had no smith to make them swords, etc.; nor had any of the Israelites, save Saul and Jonathan, sword or spear, 15-23.
John Brown of Haddington's Systematic Theology: 'Children have often suffered from God in the punishment of their parents' sin.... Or subjects in the punishment of their rulers, 1 Samuel 13...'
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, 1 Samuel 11:7. 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 your king;" for never was the state of Israel further gone in a consumption than in this chapter. I. Saul appears here a very silly prince. 1. Infatuated in his counsels, verses 1-3. 2. Invaded by his neighbours, verses 4-5. 3. Deserted by his soldiers, verse…
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