This account of Saul's death is the same with that which we had, 1 Sam.
xxxi. 1, &c. We need not repeat the exposition of it. Only let us
observe, 1. Princes sin and the people suffer for it. It was a bad time
with Israel when they fled before the Philistines and fell down slain
(v. 1), when they quitted their cities, and the Philistines came and
dwelt in them, v. 7. We do not find that they were at this time guilty
of idolatry, as they had been before, in the days of the judges, and
were afterwards, in the days of the kings. Samuel had reformed them,
and they were reformed: and yet they are thus given to the spoil and to
the robbers. No doubt there was enough in them to deserve this
judgment; but that which divine Justice had chiefly an eye to was the
sin of Saul. Note, Princes and great men should in a special manner
take heed of provoking God's wrath; for, if they kindle that fire, they
know not how many may be consumed by it for their sakes. 2. Parents sin
and the children suffer for it. When the measure of Saul's iniquity was
full, and his day came to fall (which David foresaw, 1 Sam. xxvi. 10),
he not only descended into battle and perished himself, but his sons
(all but Ishbosheth) perished with him, and Jonathan among the rest,
that gracious, generous man; for all things come alike to all. Thus was
the iniquity of the fathers visited upon the children, and they fell as
parts of the condemned father. Note, Those that love their seed must
leave their sins, lest they perish not alone in their iniquity, but
bring ruin on their families with themselves, or entail a curse upon
them when they are gone. 3. Sinners sin and at length suffer for it
themselves, though they be long reprieved; for, although sentence be
not executed speedily, it will be executed. It was so upon Saul; and
the manner of his fall was such as, in various particulars, answered to
his sin. (1.) He had thrown a javelin more than once at David, and
missed him; but the archers hit him, and he was wounded of the archers.
(2.) He had commanded Doeg to slay the priests of the Lord; and now, in
despair, he commands his armour-bearer to draw his sword and thrust him
through. (3.) He had disobeyed the command of God in not destroying the
Amalekites, and his armour-bearer disobeys him in not destroying him.
(4.) He that was the murderer of the priests is justly left to himself
to be his own murderer; and his family is cut off who cut off the city
of the priests. See, and say, The Lord is righteous.