Bible Commentaries
1 Samuel 31

Verses 1-13

Defeat of the Israelites at Mt. Gilboa. Death of Saul

6. And all his men] LXX omits.

7. The valley] of Jezreel.

10. The house of Ashtaroth] at Askelon: cp. 2 Samuel 1:20.

Bethshan] between the Gilboa and little Hermon ranges.

11. They thus showed their gratitude for former kindness: see 1 Samuel 11.

12. Burnt them] The action of the men of Jabesh was probably due to their fear that the Philistines would remove the bodies.

13. Under a tree] RV ’under the tamarisk tree.’ It was evidently some well-known tree: cp. Genesis 35:4; Judges 4:5.