And Jonathan smote the garrison. — Jonathan throughout this history appears as the perfect type of a warrior, according to the requirements of his age; he is everywhere the first in courage and activity and speed, slender also, and of well-made figure. This personal beauty and swiftness of foot in attack or retreat gained for him among the troops the name of “gazelle.” (The first lines of the song, 2 Samuel 1:19, can only be explained on the supposition that Jonathan was well known by this name in the army.) “In all this, as in his uprightness and fidelity, he showed himself the right worthy son of a king.” — Ewald. Some translate the word rightly rendered “garrison” as “pillar,” a sign of the authority of the Philistines; others — e.g., Ewald — as a proper name, supposing that the officer appointed to collect tribute from Israel in that part of the country is meant.
And Saul blew the trumpet. — This was evidently more than a communication of good news to the people. Saul intended it as a summons to Israel to prepare at once for war.