Stanley Arthur Cook

“ But, according to an earlier account, instead of a state of peace after the defeat of the Philistines (vii. 14) the people groan under their yoke, and the position of Israel moves Yahweh to pity. Samuel is a local seer consulted by Saul, and is bidden by Yahweh to see in the youth the future ruler. Saul is privately anointed and receives various signs as proof of his new destiny (ix. 1–x. 16) . Despite the straitened circumstances of Israel, an army is mustered, a sudden blow is struck at the Philistines, and, as before, supernatural assistance is at hand. ”

“ The Hebrews who had fled across the Jordan (xiii. 7) , or who had sought refuge in caverns (xiii. 6, xiv. 11) , or had joined the enemy (xiv. 21) , rallied together and a decisive victory is obtained. ”