דברי הימים א, פרק י׳, פסוק א׳

The fierce military campaign on Mount Gilboa stands as one of the most significant battles in Israelite history, culminating in the tragic downfall of King Saul. While this devastating war is already recorded in the Book of Samuel, its inclusion in this later account is highly intentional. The broader historical focus here is dedicated to glorifying David and the royal line of Judah. By skipping over other events and choosing to highlight only the collapse of Saul's reign, the narrative creates a sharp contrast designed to emphasize David's bravery and greatness [רש״י].

The unfolding of the tragedy reveals a direct link between the army's retreat and the massive loss of life. The initial choice to flee the battlefield is precisely what caused so many soldiers to be slain, illustrating that the root of any military collapse begins the moment an army turns to run [מלבי״ם]. These heavy casualties were concentrated around Mount Gilboa, a geographic reference that encompasses both the mountain itself and the broader surrounding region where the fierce fighting occurred [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

A subtle detail in the historical record offers a deeper understanding of why the army failed. The Israelite fighters are described using singular language, even though the term refers to the entire group of men [מצודת ציון]. This shift from the plural form used in the Book of Samuel reveals the complex internal state of the camp. Outwardly, the soldiers projected a unified front, appearing to stand together as a single entity. Inwardly, however, they suffered from a deep division of hearts. It was this hidden social and internal fragmentation that ultimately doomed them, paving the way for their tragic defeat on the battlefield [חומת אנך].