The armies of Israel appeared to have the tactical advantage in choosing Mt. Gilboa for their stand. It was difficult, from a military point of view, for the Philistines to cross the river Jalud and fight their way up Mt. Gilboa. Nevertheless Israel fell. The apostasy of Saul, who sought help from a familiar spirit, had precipitated the disaster. Israel had been forewarned that in the day of their refusal to be guided by the Lord’s statutes and covenant, they would “flee when none pursueth” (Lev. 26:17).

 Or, “fell down wounded.” The primary meaning of the Hebrew verb chalal, from which is derived the noun here translated “slain,” is “to pierce.” It may mean to wound fatally, or merely to wound without inflicting immediate death, as is its meaning in v. 3.