Verse 7
And which the men of Israel that were on the other side of the valley ,.... The valley of Jezreel; of which See Gill on Hosea 1:5 ,
and they that were on the other side Jordan ; or rather "on that side"; for the phrase will bear to be rendered either way, and so may mean that side of Jordan on which the battle was fought; for as for the other side, or that beyond it, the Israelites there could not be in such fear of the Philistines, nor do we ever read of their inhabiting any cities there; though as the phrase is used of the valley, as well as of the river, it may be rendered "about the valley, and about Jordan" F7 בעבר העמק־בעבר הירדן "circa convellem illiam--circa Jordanem", Junius & Tremellius, Picator; so Noldius, p. 295. No. 936. , and so describes such that dwelt near to each of them:
saw that the men of Israel fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead ; that is, had information and intelligence of those facts, for it is not to be supposed they saw them with their eyes:
they forsook, the cities, and fled ; fearing they should be put to the sword, or carried captive:
and the Philistines came and dwelt them ; having nothing more to do than to come and take possession.
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