Why did the war became harsher for Sha'ul?
Malbim (here and Shmuel I, 31:3): His sons died, and the archers found him.
What is the significance of being killed via archers?
'Rashi': This shows that "Ein Chachmah v'Ein Tevunah... l'Neged Hashem" (Mishlei 21:30; nothing overrides Hashem's will). Binyamin were expert archers, and defeated their enemies via arrows (Shofetim 20:16, Shmuel I, 20:20, below 12:2, Divrei ha'Yamim II, 14:7). However, when Hashem departed from Sha'ul, he fell to archers - his specialty 1 !
Malbim: "Keshes Yehonason... [v'Cherev Sha'ul]" (Shmuel II, 1:22) proves that Sha'ul was not an archer (rather, he bore a sword)!
What is the meaning of "va'Yachel"?
Radak (Shmuel I, 31:3): He was afraid, even though he was not stricken yet. 'Rashi' - this is like "va'Tischalchal ha'Malkah" (Esther 4:4)
