1 Samuel 14:47-52
Summary for 1Sam 14:47-52: 14:47-52 a In contrast to the folly described in 14:1-46 b, these verses summarize Saul’s military successes. A similar summary of achievements ends the description of each king’s reign in 1 Samuel—2 Kings. 14:47 c secured his grasp: Samuel had used this verb repeatedly when speaking about what a king would do: “He will take ... take ... take” (8:10-18 d).• Moab, Ammon, Edom, ... Zobah: David confronted these same foes during his reign and expanded Israel’s territory in the process (see 2 Sam 8:1-14 e).
14:48 f conquered the Amalekites: See 15:1-35 g. The Amalekites, a nomadic group in the south, periodically raided and pillaged Israel (see Exod 17:8-16 h; Num 14:45 i; Judg 3:13 j; 6:3 k, 33 l; 7:12 m; 10:12 n).
Summary for 1Sam 14:49-51: 14:49-51 o This information about Saul’s family, placed here rather than at the end of his reign, hints that his reign was essentially over and he would not be succeeded by one of his sons. 14:49 p Saul’s sons included: Another of Saul’s sons was named Abinadab (31:2 q).
• Ishbosheth means “man of shame” (see study note on 2 Sam 2:8). He was also called Esh-baal (“man of Baal”). He served briefly as a rival king over the northern tribes during David’s early years (2 Sam 2:8-11 r).
14:50 s Ahinoam is mentioned only here in Saul’s story. In 25:43 t, David marries a woman also called Ahinoam (who might or might not have been the same person; cp. 2 Sam 12:8 u).
14:52 v Saul had easily defeated the Ammonites (11:11 w) but was having much less success with the Philistines, given their well-organized fighting machine and their monopoly on iron and bronze (13:19-22 x).
• he drafted him: Samuel had warned earlier that the king would take people as well as possessions (8:11 y).
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