7 Now some of the Hebrews had gone over the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead; but as for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
The words "some of," which are the emphatic words in the King James Version, as distinguishing those who crossed the Jordan from those who hid themselves, are not in the Hebrew at all. The "Hebrews" seem to be distinguished from the "men of Israel" in 1-Samuel 13:6. (Compare 1-Samuel 14:21.)
And [some of] the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of (f) Gad and Gilead. As for Saul, he [was] yet in Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling.
(f) Where the two tribes and the half remained.
And some of the Hebrews went over Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead,.... As far off as they could from the Philistines, who lay on the west of the land of Israel, and these countries were to the east. Kimchi observes, that the land of Reuben is not mentioned, which was on the other side Jordan also; because that was nearer to it than what was inhabited by Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh; and therefore they chose to go further, thinking themselves there safer:
as for Saul, he was yet in Gilgal; where he stayed till Samuel should come to him, as directed, 1-Samuel 10:8 to have his advice and counsel:
and all the people followed him trembling; all that were with him, the army as distinct from the common people; they abode by him, and were at his command, and were ready to go where he should direct them; but with trembling hearts when they saw the pain of the people, fleeing into holes and corners, and considered what a huge host the Philistines were coming upon them with, and Samuel their prophet not with them to encourage and counsel them.
All the people - That is, all that were left.
*More commentary available at chapter level.