1 Samuel 31:13

And they took their bones, and buried [them] under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.

And they took {H3947} their bones {H6106}, and buried {H6912} them under a tree {H815} at Jabesh {H3003}, and fasted {H6684} seven {H7651} days {H3117}.

Then they took their bones, buried them under the tamarisk tree in Yavesh and fasted seven days.

Then they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.

And they took their bones, and buried them under the tamarisk-tree in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.

Commentary

1 Samuel 31:13 concludes the tragic account of King Saul's death and the initial aftermath of the battle of Mount Gilboa. This verse describes a compassionate act of courage and loyalty performed by the men of Jabesh-Gilead, who retrieved the bodies of Saul and his sons from the Philistines and gave them a proper burial.

Context

The preceding verses (1 Samuel 31:1-6) detail the devastating defeat of Israel by the Philistines on Mount Gilboa, resulting in the deaths of King Saul and his three sons, Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchi-shua. The Philistines, to further humiliate the Israelites, cut off Saul's head and displayed his body and those of his sons on the wall of Beth-shan. Upon hearing this news, the valiant men of Jabesh-Gilead embarked on a night mission to retrieve the bodies. Their actions were motivated by a profound sense of gratitude and loyalty, as Saul had famously rescued them from the Ammonites early in his reign, preventing their humiliation and destruction.

Key Themes

  • Loyalty and Gratitude: The primary theme is the unwavering loyalty of the men of Jabesh-Gilead to King Saul, even after his demise and public disgrace. Their act was a noble repayment for his past heroism.
  • Dignity in Death: In ancient Israelite culture, a proper burial was of immense importance, signifying respect for the deceased and their memory. The men of Jabesh-Gilead restored dignity to Saul and his sons, preventing their bodies from remaining desecrated.
  • Mourning and Respect: The seven-day fast was a customary and profound expression of grief and mourning in the ancient Near East, demonstrating deep sorrow and respect for the fallen king and his sons. This period of intense mourning is seen in other biblical narratives, such as the mourning for Jacob.
  • Courage and Selflessness: Their daring night expedition into Philistine territory to retrieve the bodies highlights their exceptional courage and selfless devotion.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "took their bones" refers to taking their remains, which likely included what was left of their bodies after the Philistine desecration and exposure. The Hebrew word for "bones" (ืขึฒืฆึธืžื•ึนืช - 'atzamot) here emphasizes the physical remnants. The "seven days" of fasting (ืฆึธืžื•ึผ ืฉืึดื‘ึฐืขึทืช ื™ึธืžึดื™ื - tzamu shiv'at yamim) is a significant and common duration for deep mourning, reflecting a period of intense sorrow and spiritual reflection, often accompanied by abstinence from food and drink.

Reflection and Application

This verse, though brief, offers powerful lessons on loyalty, respect, and the importance of remembering past kindnesses. The men of Jabesh-Gilead exemplify true gratitude, acting boldly to honor a king who had once saved them, even when he had fallen out of favor and met a tragic end. Their actions stand as a testament to the enduring human need for dignity, even in death, and the profound impact of selfless acts. It also serves as a poignant closing to Saul's reign, preceding the narrative of David's eventual rise to kingship and the establishment of a new dynasty for Israel.

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Cross-References

  • Genesis 50:10 (5 votes)

    And they came to the threshingfloor of Atad, which [is] beyond Jordan, and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father seven days.

  • 2 Samuel 21:12 (5 votes)

    And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabeshgilead, which had stolen them from the street of Bethshan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa:

  • 2 Samuel 21:14 (5 votes)

    And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was intreated for the land.

  • 1 Samuel 22:6 (3 votes)

    ยถ When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that [were] with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants [were] standing about him;)

  • Genesis 35:8 (2 votes)

    But Deborah Rebekah's nurse died, and she was buried beneath Bethel under an oak: and the name of it was called Allonbachuth.

  • 2 Samuel 1:12 (2 votes)

    And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.

  • 2 Samuel 2:4 (2 votes)

    And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, [That] the men of Jabeshgilead [were they] that buried Saul.