Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 28:4
And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa.
4. the Philistines gathered themselves together ] This was no border foray, but a gathering of the whole force of the confederacy, as is clear from 1Sa 28:1 and 1Sa 29:1-4, for a decisive struggle with Israel. They marched northwards along the coast to the plain of Esdraelon, the great battle-field of Palestine, where their chariots and horsemen could move freely.
in Shunem ] Now Slam, on the S.W. slope of the range called Little Hermon ( Neby Dhy), opposite Jezreel and Mount Gilboa, having the deep broad valley of Jezreel between, and overlooking the whole western plain to Carmel. Shunem is elsewhere mentioned as the abode of Abishag (1Ki 1:3), and the home of the woman who entertained Elisha (2 King 1Sa 4:8 ff.).
in Gilboa ] A mountainous tract on the E. of the plain of Esdraelon. It is now called Jebel Fuka, but the ancient name is still preserved in the village of Jelbn, situated on the top of the mountain.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Gilboa – Now called Jebel Fukuak. But the ancient name is preserved in the village of Jelbon, situated on the south side of the mountain. It was separated from Shunem (see the marginal reference) by the deep valley of Jezreel. The Philistines either advanced along the seacoast, and then entered the valley of Jezreel from the west, or they came by the present road right through Samaria, starting from Aphek 1Sa 29:1.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Shunem; a town in the tribe of Issachar, Jos 19:18.
Gilboa; a mountain not far from the valley of Jezreel, where the battle was fought, 1Sa 31:1; 2Sa 1:21. So the two armies seem to be placed in the same manner as they were 1Sa 17, each upon a hill, and a valley between them.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
4. the Philistines . . . pitched inShunemHaving collected their forces for a last grand effort,they marched up from the seacoast and encamped in the “valley ofJezreel.” The spot on which their encampment was fixed wasShunem (Jos 19:18), now Sulem,a village which still exists on the slope of a range called “LittleHermon.” On the opposite side, on the rise of Mount Gilboa, hardby “the spring of Jezreel,” was Saul’s armytheIsraelites, according to their wont, keeping to the heights, whiletheir enemies clung to the plain.
1Sa28:7-25. SAUL SEEKSA WITCH, WHO,BEING ENCOURAGEDBY HIM, RAISESUP SAMUEL.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And the Philistines gathered themselves together,…. From different parts, and formed a considerable army:
and came and pitched in Shunem; a city, in the borders of the tribe of Issachar, of which [See comments on Jos 19:18];
and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa; a range of mountains, near Jezreel, and which Jerom b calls the mountains of the Philistines, six miles from Scythopolis, where there is a large village called Gelbus.
b De loc. Heb fol. 92. D.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(4) And pitched in Shunem.As has been already described in the Note on 1Sa. 27:1, the Philistine army had penetrated into the heart of Palestine, and, marching across the Valley of Jezreel, took up a strong position on the south-western slope of Little Hermon, near to the village, or town, of Shunem, a little to the north of Jezreel. Shunem is known in Biblical history as the home of Abishag (1Ki. 1:3), and the dwelling-place of the woman who entertained Elisha, and whose dead son he raised to life (2 Kings 4).
It has been identified by modern travellers. Conder speaks of it as being at present only a mud hamlet, with cactus hedges and a spring; but the view, he says, extends as far as Mount Carmel, fifteen miles away. It is now called Sutm.
And Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa.Sauls position was only a few miles distant from the camp of his enemies, on the slope of the hills opposite Shunem, but parted by the deep Valley of Jezreel. From the high ground by his camp Saul could plainly see the whole of the Philistine army. Mount Gilboa is the name given to a range of lofty hills, rising 1,500 feet above the sea, and consisting of white chalk.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
4. Shunem The modern Solam, on the southwestern declivity of Jebel Duhy, (Little Hermon,) and on the eastern border of the great Plain of Esdraelon. Jos 19:18.
Gilboa On the mountains of this name, which lie just south of Shunem. From these heights Saul could have seen the assembling hosts of the Philistines. Here Gideon and his host once encamped. Jdg 7:1.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
(4) And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa. (5) And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled. (6) And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
It is more than probable, that Saul in his haste to destroy David, had neglected even the common means of safety respecting his kingdom. His army perhaps dwindled and scattered abroad; so that when the Philistines came forward with so formidable an host, and even advanced as far as Shunem, which lay in the tribe of Issachar, and in the borders of Israel itself, there was great cause for dismay. But all this would have been nothing, if Saul had made God his friend. Israel had found, upon all occasions, while the Lord of hosts fought their battles, that one would chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight. But when the Lord is turned to be their enemy, and to fight against them, this sums up the full heaped measure of human misery.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
1Sa 28:4 And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa.
Ver. 4. And pitched in Shunem. ] A city in the tribe of Issachar, ennobled afterwards by the good Shunamite with whom Elisha hosted. 2Ki 4:8
Pitched in Gilboa.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Shunem: Jos 19:18, 2Ki 4:8
Gilboa: 1Sa 31:1, 2Sa 1:6, 2Sa 1:21, 2Sa 21:12
Reciprocal: 1Sa 28:15 – the Philistines 1Sa 29:1 – Jezreel 1Ki 1:3 – Shunammite 1Ch 10:1 – mount Psa 108:8 – Ephraim