Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 11:11
And it was [so] on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together.
11. in three companies ] In order to make a simultaneous attack upon the Ammonite camp on three sides at once. Compare Gideon’s stratagem, Jdg 7:16 ff.
in the morning watch ] The Jews anciently divided the night into three watches, each watch representing the time for which sentinels remained on duty. The first watch or “beginning of the watches” (Lam 2:19) lasted from sunset until 10 p.m.: the “middle watch” (Jdg 7:19) from 10 p.m. till 2 a.m.: the “morning watch” from 2 a.m. till sunrise. The division of the night into four watches referred to in the N. T. (Mat 14:25; Mar 13:35; Act 12:4) was of Roman origin.
they which remained were scattered ] Jabesh was rescued from destruction, and its inhabitants long remembered the debt of gratitude which they owed to Saul. It was the men of Jabesh who at peril of their lives recovered the bodies of Saul and Jonathan from Philistine insults, and gave them honourable burial (ch. 1Sa 31:11-13): it was Gilead which was the chief centre and stay of the waning fortunes of Saul’s house during the early part of the reign of David (2Sa 2:8-9 ff.).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The march from Bezek may have begun the night before. This disposition of the forces in three companies (imitating Gideons strategy, compare the marginal reference.) would not have been made until the morning when they were very near the Ammonitish forces. The morning watch was the last of the three watches, of four hours each, into which the night was anciently divided by the Hebrews. (See Jdg 7:19 note.) The time thus indicated would be between two and six in the morning.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
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.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Into three companies; that so invading them on several sides with a great force, he might both strike them with the greater terror, and prevent their escape.
In the morning watch; having marched all the day and night before it.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
11. on the morrow, that Saul put thepeople in three companiesCrossing the Jordan in the evening,Saul marched his army all night, and came at daybreak on the camp ofthe Ammonites, who were surprised in three different parts, andtotally routed. This happened before the seven days’ truce expired.
1Sa11:12-15. SAULCONFIRMED KING.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And it was so on the morrow,…. After the messengers were returned, and delivered their message, and the men of Jabeshgilead had given the Ammonites reason to expect that they would come out to them according to their agreement:
that Saul put the people into three companies; or “heads” a, under so many commanders, assigning to each their number, if equally, 110,000 in each, as Gideon divided his three hundred into three companies, one hundred in each, Jud 7:16 and Abimelech, Jud 9:43 it seems to have been their way of fighting in those days:
and they came unto the midst of the host: that is, of the Ammonites:
in the morning watch; the third and last watch of the night, by break of day, or before, however before the sun was up; so quick was Saul and his men in their march, though on foot. Bunting b computes the distance from Gibeah to Bezek forty miles, and from thence to Jabesh sixteen; it is commonly reckoned that it was about sixty miles from Gibeah to Jabesh. Josephus c says it was ten “schaeni”, each of which contained five or six miles:
and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day; that is, till noon, so that from the morning watch till noon he was making slaughter of them:
and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered; those that were not cut off by the sword of Saul were broken and dispersed, they could not stand their ground against him:
so that two of them were not left together; to flee together, but every one shifted for himself, and fled alone.
a “capita”, Pagninus, Montanus, &c. b Travels of the Patriarchs, &c. p. 126. c Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 6. c. 5. sect. 3.)
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(11) The morning watch.The morning watch was the last of the three watches, each lasting for four hours; this was the old Hebrew division of the night. Thus the first onslaught of the men of Israel under Saul would have taken place some time between two and six a.m. The battle, and subsequent rout of Ammon, continued evidently for many hours.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
11. Saul put the people in three companies Perhaps about one hundred and ten thousand in each company. But we need not suppose that the whole three hundred and thirty thousand were at one time engaged in the fight.
In the morning watch Between three and six o’clock in the morning. So Saul had evidently marched from Bezek during the night.
Two of them were not left together Their army was utterly demoralized and scattered.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Sa 11:11 And it was [so] on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together.
Ver. 11. Came into the midst in the morning watch.] Before they were looked for by either side, with wonderful celerity; so that he might well say as Caesar did, Veni, vidi, vici, I no sooner came, but overcame.
And slew the Ammonites.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
host = camp.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
on the morrow: Gen 22:14, Psa 46:1
in three: Jdg 7:16, Jdg 9:43
morning: Exo 14:24
slew: 1Sa 11:2, Jdg 1:7, Mat 7:2, Jam 2:13
so that two: 1Sa 30:17, 1Sa 30:18, Jdg 4:16
Reciprocal: 1Sa 13:17 – in three companies 1Sa 14:36 – let us not leave 1Sa 14:47 – Ammon 1Sa 25:34 – hasted Mar 6:48 – the fourth