So the people went out into the field against Israel: and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim;
My Notes
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Gill's Exposition
So the people went out into the field against Israel,.... Josephus (e) calls it a great field, with a wood behind it:
and the battle was in the wood of Ephraim; or near it (f) rather; not in a wood…
Barnes' Notes
Against Israel - Implying that the revolt was in a great measure that of the ten tribes, Saul’s party, against the kingdom. The wood of Ephraim - This would naturally be sought in the west of Jordan…
Which way David raised an army here, and what reinforcements were sent him, we are not told; many, it is likely, from all the coasts of Israel, at least from the neighbouring tribes, came in to his…
Cambridge Bible
in the wood of Ephraim "The forest of Ephraim" might naturally be expected to mean the great forest covering the high lands of central Palestine in which the tribe of Ephraim settled (Jos 17:15-18).…