1 Samuel 28:4

4 The Philistines gathered together and set up camp at Shunem. At the same time, Saul gathered all of the fighting men of Israel together. They set up camp at Gilboa.

1 Samuel 28:4 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 28:4

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 Gill on Joshua 19:18);

and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa;
a range of mountains, near Jezreel, and which Jerom ^F2 calls the mountains of the Philistines, six miles from Scythopolis, where there is a large village called Gelbus.

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FOOTNOTES:

F2 De loc. Heb fol. 92. D.

1 Samuel 28:4 In-Context

2 David said, "I understand. You will see for yourself what I can do." Achish replied, "All right. I'll make you my own personal guard for life."

3 Samuel had died. The whole nation of Israel was filled with sorrow because he was dead. They had buried his body in his own town of Ramah. Saul had gotten rid of people who get messages from those who have died. He had also gotten rid of people who talk to the spirits of the dead. He had thrown all of them out of the land.

4 The Philistines gathered together and set up camp at Shunem. At the same time, Saul gathered all of the fighting men of Israel together. They set up camp at Gilboa.

5 When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid. Terror filled his heart.

6 He asked the LORD for advice. But the LORD didn't answer him through dreams or prophets. He didn't answer him when Saul had the priest use the Urim.