Behold a man came from the camp. The Pesikta¹ brings an opinion that this man is Doeig,² but the explanation is indefensible in my heart.³

footnotes: ¹ Pesikta Rabosi 12,9. ² Doeig HaEdomi is first mentioned in Shmuel 1,21:8. ³ It is clear from Shmuel 1, 22:18 that Shaul knew Doeig. Therefore, if in fact this man is Doeig, why did Shaul have to ask later in v. 8, “Who are you?” (Seder Hadoros, p. 102).

I am gripped with convulsions. I am gripped with convulsions.⁴ The Midrash Aggadah⁵ explains that this⁶ occurred because of Shaul's sin of killing the Kohanim⁷ as it is written concerning them,⁸ "a checkered shirt."⁹

footnotes: ⁴ This is Targum Yonasan’s translation. ⁵ Tanchuma Metzoro 2. ⁶ Shaul’s death in this manner was retribution for that sin. ⁷ Of the city of Nov, see Shmuel 1,22:18. ⁸ The Kohanim in general. ⁹ Shemot, 28:4 lists the כתנת תשבץ as one of the garments worn by the Kohanim. Both the word תַּשְׁבֵּץ there and the word הַשָּׁבָץ here share the same three letters, ש־ב־ץ.

While I am still alive. Hurry and kill me. I prefer that you kill me and not they¹⁰ kill and torture me.¹¹

footnotes: ¹⁰ The Pelishtim. ¹¹ Prior to my death.

And the bracelet that was on his arm. The tefilin that was on his arm.¹²

footnotes: ¹² This is Targum Yonasan’s translation. He refuses to explain it to literally mean bracelet because that would have been taken by the Pelishtim as part of the spoils of war (Meam Loez).

Your blood is on your own head. The responsibility for your death rests on your own head.¹³ There is no one to punish for your death but yourself.

footnotes: ¹³ This is Targum Yonasan’s translation.

He said, "To teach the Bnei Yehudah archery. David said, "Now that mighty among Yisroel have fallen, the Bnei Yehudah need to be taught how to make war and how to pull back a bow.

Behold it is written in the Seifer HaYoshor. This is written in Seifer Bereishis, which is the Seifer of the righteous,¹⁴ Avraham, Yitzchok and Yaakov. And where [In Bereishis] is it hinted at? "Your hand will be on the neck of your enemies."¹⁵ What type of warfare is it where he places his hand next to his forehead,¹⁶ which is opposite his neck?¹⁷ One must say: this is archery.

footnotes: ¹⁴ Rashi is citing the opinion of Rav Yochonon in Avodah Zarah, 25a. ¹⁵ Bereishis 49:8. ¹⁶ When pulling back the string of his bow. Rashi in Avodah Zarah, ibid writes the archer places his hand next to his eyes. This is how they sight their targets. ¹⁷ This interpretation reads the verse in Bereishis differently: “your hand will be on your neck.” See Marsho, Avodah Zarah ibid.

Pillar of Yisroel, on your heights [you have been rendered] a corpse. Pillars of Yisroel, on the mightiest point of your stronghold you have fallen as corpses. This is Yonasan's translation.

Mountains in Gilboa. The mountains in Gilboa.

Nor fields [yielding enough for] baking offerings. There will be no harvest among [the fields] that have the amount [that necessitates] making the baking offering.¹⁸

footnotes: ¹⁸ If one prepares the amount of omer’s worth of dough then one must take off a portion of the mixture and give it to a kohein, see Shelach 15,20. An omer is the equivalent of forty-three and one-fifth eggs by volume.

Because there, the shield of soldiers spit out. They had shields made of skins and when they went to war, they smeared them with oil so that a weapon hitting [the shield] should slip [off of it]. As it is said [in Scriptures] "Get up officers, smear [your] shield with oil. And here this is what the Lamentation means, "There, the shield of soldiers spit out," it spit out its oil and [the oil] did not stick to it and rendered [the shield] as if it wasn't smeared with oil. All [uses of the word] הַגְעָלָה is a language of rejecting what had been put into it as [we find] "His oxen will impregnate, [the seed] will not be rejected."

Would not be pulled back. Was not used to being pulled back.¹⁹

footnotes: ¹⁹ Without hitting Yohanasan’s targets, thereby spilling his enemies’ blood and cutting through their fat.

They were lighter then eagles. To do the will of their Creator.²⁰

footnotes: ²⁰ Rashi is paraphrasing Pirkei Avos 5,23.

Who has clothed you in scarlet clothing together with other delights. That clothed you in coloured garments and loaded you with delights.

On your heights, you were slain. On your strong point you have been killed.

The weapons of war. [Referring to] Shaul and Yohanasan who were Yisroel's weapons.