1Ch 10:1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel; and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.
The present chapter contains two facts not found in 1Sa_31:1-13 - the fastening of Saul’s head in the temple of Dagon 1Ch_10:10, and the burial of his bones, and those of his sons, under an oak 1Ch_10:12. Otherwise the narrative differs from 1Sa_31:1-13 only by being abbreviated, and by having some moral reflections attached to it 1Ch_10:13-14.
The details of this chapter have no relation to the preceding genealogies and seem to be inserted solely to introduce the narrative of David’s elevation to the throne of the whole kingdom. The design chiefly in view in these books of the Chronicles, appears to be to preserve the records of the house of David. Therefore the writer repeats not the history of Saul's reign, but only of his death, by which a way was made for David to the throne.
1Ch 10:2 And the Philistines followed hard after Saul, and after his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul.
1Ch 10:3 And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him, and he was wounded of the archers.
1Ch 10:4 Then said Saul to his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. So Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.
his armour-bearer would not; for he was sore afraid — He was, of course, placed in the same perilous condition as Saul. But it is probable that the feelings that restrained him from complying with Saul’s wish were a profound respect for royalty, mingled with apprehension of the shock which such a catastrophe would give to the national feelings and interests.
1Ch 10:5 And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise on the sword, and died.
1Ch 10:6 So Saul died, and his three sons, and all his house died together.
So Saul died and all his house - Every branch of his family that had followed him to the war was cut off; his three sons are mentioned as being the chief. "All his men," that is, all who were present with him in the battle; and his family received such a blow, that it never recovered itself again. This history seems to be repeated here as an introduction to that of the kingdom of David.
Saul died, and his three sons, and all his house — his sons and courtiers who were there engaged in the battle. But it appears that Ishbosheth and Mephibosheth were kept at Gibeah on account of their youth.
1Ch 10:7 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 Philistines came and dwelt in them.
1Ch 10:8 And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his sons fallen in mount Gilboa.
1Ch 10:9 And when they had stripped him, they took his head, and his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to carry tidings unto their idols, and to the people.
1Ch 10:10 And they put his armour in the house of their gods, and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon.
their gods – Ashtaroth 1Sa_31:10 And they put his armor in the house of Ashtaroth, and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan.
put his armour in the house of their gods — It was common to vow to a national or favorite deity, that, in the event of a victory, the armor of the enemy’s king, or of some eminent leader, should be dedicated to him as an offering of gratitude. Such trophies were usually suspended on the pillars of the temple.
fastened his head in the temple of Dagon — while the trunk or headless corpse was affixed to the wall of Beth-shan 1Sa_31:10.
1Ch 10:11 And when all Jabeshgilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul,
1Ch 10:12 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.
1Ch 10:13 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;
For his transgression - The “transgression” intended is probably the disobedience with respect to Amalek, recorded in 1Sa_15:1-9. Specifically this part. 1Sa_15:2-3 So says the LORD of hosts, I will visit Amalek with what he did to Israel, how he set against him in the way when he came up from Egypt. Now go and strike Amalek, and completely destroy all that they have, and do not spare them. But kill both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass. 1Sa_15: 9 But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fatlings and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not completely destroy them. But everything that was vile and feeble they completely destroyed. He went against the word of the Lord, which he kept not; by not staying for Samuel the time appointed 1Sa_13.
For his transgression - in having spared the king of the Amalekites and taken the flocks of the people as spoils 1Sa_15:9, as well as in having consulted a medium 1Sa_28:7. Both of these acts were great sins - the first as a violation of God’s express and positive command 1Sa_15:3, and the second as contrary to a well-known statute of the kingdom Lev_19:31.
for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit - 1Sa_28:8 And Saul disguised himself and put on other clothing. And he went. And two men went with him. And they came to the woman by night. And he said, Please divine for me calling up the dead , and bring me up the man whom I shall name to you. which to do was contrary to an express command of God, Lev_19:31 You shall not turn to those that have familiar spirits, nor seek to spiritists to be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.
1Ch 10:14 And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.
Inquired not of the Lord - Saul died for the transgression by which he transgressed against the Word of the Lord, and because he did not keep the commandment of the Lord when he warred against the house of Amalek; and because he consulted a medium, and sought oracular answer from her. Neither did he ask counsel from before the Lord by Urim and Thummim, for he had slain the priests that were in Nob; therefore the Lord slew him, and transferred the kingdom to David the son of Jesse.
And inquired not of the Lord — He had done so in form 1Sa_28:6 And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. but not in the spirit of a humble penitent, nor with the believing confidence of a sincere worshipper. His enquiry was, in fact, a mere mockery, and his total want of all right religious impressions was manifested by his rushing from God to a medium.
