1 Chronicles 10 11

1 Chronicles 10:11 kjv

And when all Jabeshgilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul,

1 Chronicles 10:11 nkjv

And when all Jabesh Gilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul,

1 Chronicles 10:11 niv

When all the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,

1 Chronicles 10:11 esv

But when all Jabesh-gilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul,

1 Chronicles 10:11 nlt

But when everyone in Jabesh-gilead heard about everything the Philistines had done to Saul,

1 Chronicles 10 verses

1 Chronicles 10 11 Meaning

1 Chronicles 10:11 recounts the courageous and compassionate act of the men of Jabesh-Gilead. Upon hearing that the Philistines had publicly disgraced the bodies of King Saul and his sons by hanging them on the wall of Beth-shan, all their valiant men journeyed throughout the night. They retrieved the deceased royalty's bodies and brought them back to their city, Jabesh-Gilead, where they provided an honorable burial beneath a terebinth tree. Following this, they observed a seven-day fast as a deep expression of mourning and respect, recognizing their previous deliverance by Saul and their duty to a fallen king, even one rejected by God. This act stands as a stark contrast to the Philistines' desecration and marks the closure of Saul's tragic reign before the ascendancy of David.

1 Chronicles 10 11 Context

1 Chronicles 10 focuses exclusively on the final battle of King Saul against the Philistines on Mount Gilboa, his death, and the immediate aftermath, which directly sets the stage for David's kingship. The chapter briefly details Saul's pursuit, his self-inflicted death (or his armor-bearer's assist), and the discovery of his body and his sons' bodies by the Philistines. The Philistines' gruesome act of decapitating Saul, stripping him of his armor, sending messages to their land, and then publicly displaying his and his sons' bodies on the wall of Beth-shan (vv. 9-10) was a profound humiliation and desecration intended to solidify their victory and intimidate Israel. This specific verse (v. 11) then shifts the narrative to the courageous response of the men of Jabesh-Gilead. Historically, Saul had previously delivered Jabesh-Gilead from the Ammonites in a heroic early act of his reign (1 Sam 11). Their actions here demonstrate loyalty and gratitude, perhaps an act of remembering the honor Saul had once brought them, despite his ultimate fall from divine favor. For the Chronicler, Saul's death serves as a critical transition, attributing it explicitly to his unfaithfulness to God, making David's subsequent rise to power fully legitimate and divinely ordained.

1 Chronicles 10 11 Word analysis

• When all Jabesh-Gilead heard: This refers to the collective population, emphasizing their shared sense of outrage and loyalty. Jabesh-Gilead was an Israelite city in Gilead, east of the Jordan, a considerable distance from Beth-shan. Their historical ties to Saul, who had rescued them from Nahash the Ammonite (1 Sam 11), underscore their strong motive. The news travelled across the Jordan Valley, signifying the widespread disgrace of Saul's death.
• what the Philistines had done: The disgraceful actions of the Philistines – cutting off Saul's head, stripping his armor, and displaying his and his sons' bodies – were a profound insult in ancient Near Eastern culture, denying proper burial and condemning the deceased to an eternal state of dishonor.
• all their valiant men arose: The Hebrew term b’nei-chayil (בְּנֵי־חָיִל) or anshei chayil (אַנְשֵׁי חַיִל often meaning "men of valor," "mighty men," "wealthy/capable men") denotes not just physical strength but also moral courage, resourcefulness, and readiness for battle or difficult tasks. These were not mere civilians, but men equipped and willing to risk their lives to uphold honor. Their united action (all) underscores a communal commitment.
• and went all night: This conveys the urgency and determination of their mission. Traveling through the night, likely covering a significant distance (estimated 15-20 miles across difficult terrain), showcased their immense resolve and dedication to retrieve the bodies quickly and prevent further desecration.
• and took the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons: Their primary objective was retrieval. The specificity of "Saul and his sons" emphasizes the severity of the disgrace—a royal family publicly shamed—and the depth of the Jabesh-Gileadites' resolve to restore their dignity. This contrasts sharply with the Philistines' intention to parade their triumph.
• from the wall of Beth-shan: Beth-shan was a strategic Philistine stronghold. Displaying the bodies on its walls was a clear symbol of their military dominance and a public taunt to Israel. This was a perilous venture for the Jabesh-Gileadites, demonstrating great bravery in entering enemy-controlled territory.
• and brought them to Jabesh: The successful return of the bodies to their own city signifies an act of reclaiming honor and defying the Philistine triumph. This brings closure to the indignity suffered by the fallen royal house.
• and buried them under the terebinth tree: A "terebinth tree" (Hebrew: elah - אֵלָה, a large, long-lived tree) implies a recognizable and possibly sacred or significant spot, even if not a formal royal tomb. This suggests a dignified, if not elaborate, burial under circumstances that precluded a formal tomb fitting for kings. It speaks of providing proper last rites in a simple but honorable way, as opposed to leaving the bodies exposed.
• there: Specifically in Jabesh-Gilead, solidifying their local burial place.
• and fasted seven days: This was a profound and customary sign of mourning and grief in Israelite culture. A seven-day fast (e.g., 1 Sam 31:13; Gen 50:10) indicates intense sorrow and lament, signifying not only personal grief but a communal acknowledgment of the tragic end of their first king and the state of the nation. It represents their spiritual and emotional devotion.

1 Chronicles 10 11 Bonus section

The account in 1 Chronicles 10:11 serves as an echo of Israel's foundational commitment to the dignified treatment of the dead, which contrasts sharply with the practices of pagan nations that often desecrated bodies of defeated enemies for ritualistic purposes or displays of power. While the display on Beth-shan's wall fulfilled Philistine customs of triumph, it was a violation of the spirit of Israelite law regarding proper burial and avoiding prolonged public exposure of the dead (Deut 21:22-23). The Chronicler emphasizes Saul's ignominious end as God's judgment (1 Chr 10:13-14), yet does not neglect to record the virtuous and courageous act of the Jabesh-Gileadites, demonstrating that even amidst divine judgment, human compassion and loyalty can shine forth. Their bravery ensured that the memory of the first king of Israel, however flawed, concluded with an act of respectful closure. David's subsequent commendation of these men (2 Sam 2:4-7) further validates their actions, revealing David's character and his sensitivity to national memory and respect, which contrasted with the previous king's disregard for God's word. This detail subtly contributes to establishing David as the rightful and compassionate successor.

1 Chronicles 10 11 Commentary

1 Chronicles 10:11, though concise, presents a powerful narrative of loyalty, courage, and respect in the face of profound national humiliation. The actions of the men of Jabesh-Gilead are particularly poignant given Saul's personal relationship with their city. Their daring night raid to recover the dishonored bodies of Saul and his sons from the heavily fortified wall of Beth-shan stands as a testament to their valor (valiant men) and gratitude for Saul's past deliverance of their city. This act transcends personal feelings toward a fallen, divinely-rejected king and underscores a foundational Israelite principle of respecting the deceased and upholding national honor. Their subsequent burial of the bodies and the week-long fast demonstrates a deep, solemn communal mourning, acknowledging the end of an era and the tragic consequences of Saul's disobedience to God. In the Chronicler's narrative, this detail highlights the importance of covenant fidelity—even though Saul had failed, the act of honor shown by Jabesh-Gilead underscores a remaining core of faithfulness and dignity within Israel, setting a moral precedent for David's rightful and divinely sanctioned leadership which immediately follows. This verse also serves as an important counter-narrative to the widespread despair and flight of other Israelites, demonstrating that not all of Israel was paralyzed by fear.