1 Samuel 31:12

All the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Bethshan, and came to Jabesh, and burnt them there.

All the valiant {H2428} men {H376}{H381} arose {H6965}, and went {H3212} all night {H3915}, and took {H3947} the body {H1472} of Saul {H7586} and the bodies {H1472} of his sons {H1121} from the wall {H2346} of Bethshan {H1052}, and came {H935} to Jabesh {H3003}, and burnt {H8313} them there.

all their warriors set out, traveling all night. They took the body of Sha'ul and the bodies of his sons off the wall of Beit-Sh'an, returned to Yavesh and burned them there.

all their men of valor set out, journeyed all night, and retrieved the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth-shan. When they arrived at Jabesh, they burned the bodies there.

all the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan; and they came to Jabesh, and burnt them there.

Commentary

First Samuel 31:12 describes a poignant act of loyalty and courage by the men of Jabesh-gilead following the tragic deaths of King Saul and his sons on Mount Gilboa.

Context

The preceding verses detail the devastating defeat of Israel by the Philistines at the Battle of Mount Gilboa, where King Saul and three of his sons, including Jonathan, were killed. The Philistines, in a display of their victory and to further humiliate the Israelites, cut off Saul's head and hung his body and the bodies of his sons on the wall of Bethshan, a significant Philistine stronghold. This act of desecration was a public spectacle intended to demoralize Israel.

Upon hearing of this atrocity, the "valiant men" (Hebrew: bene chayil, literally "sons of strength" or "men of valor") from Jabesh-gilead took swift and decisive action. Their motivation stemmed from an earlier event: King Saul had heroically delivered Jabesh-gilead from the Ammonites at the beginning of his reign (see 1 Samuel 11). This act of rescue had fostered a deep sense of gratitude and loyalty among the people of Jabesh-gilead, prompting their dangerous, all-night journey to retrieve the bodies.

Key Themes

  • Loyalty and Gratitude: This verse powerfully illustrates the enduring impact of past kindness. The men of Jabesh-gilead risked their lives out of profound gratitude for Saul's earlier deliverance. This act underscores the biblical principle of remembering and honoring those who have shown us favor.
  • Respect for the Dead: Despite Saul's ultimate failure as king and his rejection by God, the men of Jabesh-gilead showed immense respect for the fallen monarch and his sons. Their mission was to prevent further indignity and ensure a proper, albeit unconventional, burial.
  • Defiance Against Desecration: By retrieving the bodies, they defied the Philistine attempt to publicly shame Israel and its former king. It was an act of quiet resistance and preservation of dignity in defeat.
  • Unconventional Burial: The burning of the bodies ("burnt them there") was not a typical Israelite burial practice, which usually involved interment. This unusual method was likely employed to prevent further desecration by the Philistines, to ensure all scattered remains were gathered, or possibly as a form of extreme purification in a dire situation. After burning, the bones were then buried (1 Samuel 31:13).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "valiant men" translates the Hebrew bene chayil, emphasizing not just physical strength but also courage, capability, and moral fortitude. Their willingness to "go all night" highlights their determination and the urgency of their mission, a testament to their valor.

Practical Application

1 Samuel 31:12 serves as a timeless reminder of the power of gratitude and loyalty. It challenges us to consider:

  • How do we show appreciation for those who have helped us, even when circumstances change or they fall from grace?
  • Are we willing to act courageously and sacrificially to uphold dignity and respect, even for those who are no longer popular or powerful?
  • The verse also highlights the importance of proper closure and honoring the past, even in times of transition or loss. This act of the men of Jabesh-gilead provided a measure of peace and respect for Saul's lineage before the rise of King David.
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Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 16:14 (5 votes)

    And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds [of spices] prepared by the apothecaries' art: and they made a very great burning for him.

  • Jeremiah 34:5 (4 votes)

    [But] thou shalt die in peace: and with the burnings of thy fathers, the former kings which were before thee, so shall they burn [odours] for thee; and they will lament thee, [saying], Ah lord! for I have pronounced the word, saith the LORD.

  • Amos 6:10 (3 votes)

    And a man's uncle shall take him up, and he that burneth him, to bring out the bones out of the house, and shall say unto him that [is] by the sides of the house, [Is there] yet [any] with thee? and he shall say, No. Then shall he say, Hold thy tongue: for we may not make mention of the name of the LORD.

  • 2 Samuel 2:4 (3 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.

  • 2 Samuel 2:7 (3 votes)

    Therefore now let your hands be strengthened, and be ye valiant: for your master Saul is dead, and also the house of Judah have anointed me king over them.