And which the men of Israel that [were] on the other side of
the valley
The valley of Jezreel; of which (See Gill on Hosea 1:5);
and [they] that [were] on the other side Jordan;
or rather "on that side"; for the phrase will bear to be rendered either way, and so may mean that side of Jordan on which the battle was fought; for as for the other side, or that beyond it, the Israelites there could not be in such fear of the Philistines, nor do we ever read of their inhabiting any cities there; though as the phrase is used of the valley, as well as of the river, it may be rendered "about the valley, [and] about Jordan" F7, and so describes such that dwelt near to each of them:
saw that the men of Israel fled, and that Saul and his sons were dead;
that is, had information and intelligence of those facts, for it is not to be supposed they saw them with their eyes:
they forsook, the cities, and fled;
fearing they should be put to the sword, or carried captive:
and the Philistines came and dwelt them;
having nothing more to do than to come and take possession.