Richard Challoner

Prophets: These were men whose office it was to sing hymns and praises to God; for such in holy writ are called prophets, and their singing praises to God is called prophesying. See 1 Par. alias 1 Chr. 15. 22, and 25. 1. Now there were in those days colleges, or schools for training up these prophets; and it seems there was one of these schools at this hill of God; and another at Najoth in Ramatha. See 1 Kings 19. 20, 21, etc.

Galgal: Here also by dispensation was an altar of God.

Their father: That is, their teacher, or superior. As much as to say, Who could bring about such a wonderful change as to make Saul a prophet?

Jerobaal and Badan: That is, Gedeon and Samson called here Badan or Bedan, because he was of Dan.

Wheat harvest: At which time of the year, it never thunders or rains in those countries.

Of one year: That is, he was good and like an innocent child, and for two years continued in that innocency.

This shall be a sign: It is likely Jonathan was instructed by divine inspiration to make a choice of this sign: otherwise the observation of omens is superstitious and sinful.

Jonathan was taken: Though Jonathan was excused from sin, through ignorance of the prohibition, yet God was pleased on this occasion to let the lot fall upon him, to show unto all the great obligation of obedience to princes and parents.

Child: The great Master of life and death (who cuts off one half of all mankind whilst they are children) has been pleased sometimes to ordain that children should be put to the sword, in detestation of the crimes of their parents, and that they might not live to follow the same wicked ways. But without such ordinance of God it is not allowable, in any wars, how just soever, to kill children.

Saw Saul no more till the day of his death: That is, he went no more to see him: he visited him no more.

From the Lord: An evil spirit, by divine permission, and for his punishment, either possessed or obsessed him.

Departed from him: Chased away by David's devotion.

Prophesied: Acted the prophet in a mad manner.

Najoth: It was probably a school or college of prophets, in or near Ramath under the direction of Samuel.

Prophesying: That is, singing praises to God by a divine impulse. God was pleased on this occasion that both Samuel's messengers and himself should experience the like impulse, that he might understand, by this instance of the divine power, how vain are the designs of man against him whom God protects.

Tomorrow is the new moon: The neomenia, or first day of the moon, kept according to the law, as a festival; and therefore Saul feasted on that day: and expected the attendance of his family.

May he take away Jonathan: It is a curse upon himself, if he should not be faithful to his promise.-- Ibid.

Require it: That is, revenge it upon David's enemies, and upon me, if I should fail of my word given to him.

The son of death: That is, one that deserveth death, and shall surely be put to death.

Nobe: A city in the tribe of Benjamin, to which the tabernacle of the Lord had been translated from Silo.