1 Chronicles 10 12

1 Chronicles 10:12 kjv

They arose, all the valiant men, and took away the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.

1 Chronicles 10:12 nkjv

all the valiant men arose and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons; and they brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.

1 Chronicles 10:12 niv

all their valiant men went and took the bodies of Saul and his sons and brought them to Jabesh. Then they buried their bones under the great tree in Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.

1 Chronicles 10:12 esv

all the valiant men arose and took away the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh. And they buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh and fasted seven days.

1 Chronicles 10:12 nlt

all their mighty warriors brought the bodies of Saul and his sons back to Jabesh. Then they buried their bones beneath the great tree at Jabesh, and they fasted for seven days.

1 Chronicles 10 verses

1 Chronicles 10 12 Meaning

This verse details the valiant act of the men of Jabesh-Gilead. After King Saul and his sons were slain by the Philistines at Mount Gilboa, their bodies were displayed on the wall of Beth-shan in an act of extreme public humiliation and desecration. The men of Jabesh-Gilead, out of deep loyalty and gratitude for Saul's past deliverance of their city, journeyed all night to retrieve the defiled remains of Saul and his sons, bringing them to Jabesh to be burned and thus properly interred. This heroic effort underscores their faithfulness and determination to restore honor to their fallen king.

1 Chronicles 10 12 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 10 recounts the final defeat and death of King Saul at the hands of the Philistines on Mount Gilboa, as well as the death of his three sons. The chapter sets the stage for David's ascendancy to the throne, but before introducing David, the Chronicler focuses on the demise of Saul's line. The Philistines, victorious in battle, demonstrated their complete triumph and contempt by displaying Saul's decapitated body and the bodies of his sons on the wall of Beth-shan. This act was meant to humiliate Israel and solidify Philistine dominance. Verse 12 then highlights the commendable action of the men of Jabesh-Gilead, who, despite Saul's failings and downfall, remembered his past heroism in saving their city from Nahash the Ammonite (1 Sam 11) and demonstrated unparalleled loyalty. This deed serves as a significant contrast to Saul's inglorious end, shining a light on covenantal faithfulness and a sense of collective honor even in national tragedy. The Chronicler emphasizes these details to provide a bridge from the old covenant leadership (Saul) to the new (David), ensuring that noble actions, even towards a flawed king, are recorded.

1 Chronicles 10 12 Word analysis

• All the valiant men (כָּל־אִישׁ חַיִל – kol-’îsh ḥa-yil):
  • כל (kol): "All, every." Denotes comprehensiveness, emphasizing a united effort by the entire group.
  • אישׁ (ish): "Man, each." Refers to individuals, implying collective determination.
  • חיל (chayil): "Valiant, strong, capable, army, wealth." Here, it signifies moral courage, military prowess, and resolute character. These were not just any men, but the most courageous and honorable, demonstrating deep conviction and bravery in facing a dangerous mission against the Philistines. Their strength was both physical and moral, driven by a powerful sense of duty and loyalty. This term highlights their distinguished character.
• arose (וַיָּקוּמוּ – vayyāqûmû):
  • From קוּם (qum), "to rise, stand up." Indicates immediate, decisive, and intentional action. It conveys a readiness and determination to execute the task without hesitation, overcoming potential fear or obstacles.
• and went all night (וַיֵּלְכוּ כָּל־הַלַּיְלָה – vayyêlᵉkhû kol-hallaylâ):
  • ילכו (vayyelkhu): From הָלַךְ (halak), "to walk, go." Describes their physical journey.
  • כל הלילה (kol halleilah): "All the night." Emphasizes the duration and arduousness of their journey. Traveling by night often suggests secrecy, urgency, and the danger involved, as they had to traverse hostile territory unseen by Philistine patrols. It signifies immense dedication and a race against time, perhaps to prevent further desecration.
• and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons (וַיִּקְחוּ אֶת־גּוּפַת שָׁאוּל וְאֶת גּוּפוֹת בָּנָיו – vayyiqḥû ’eṯ-gûp̄aṯ shā’ûl wᵉ’eṯ gûp̄ôṯ bānāyw):
  • ויקחו (vayyikchu): From לָקַח (lakach), "to take, receive." A direct and purposeful act of reclamation.
  • גופת (gûp̄aṯ): "Body, corpse." Specifically denotes the physical remains. The use of singular for Saul ("body") and plural for his sons ("bodies") emphasizes the primary object of their mission, while extending the honor to his progeny who died alongside him. This was an act of extreme respect and a desperate effort to prevent further dishonor to Israel's former king and his royal line.
• from the wall of Beth-shan (מֵחוֹמַת בֵּית שָׁאן – mêḥômăṯ bêt shā’ān):
  • מחוטומת (mechomath): From חוֹמָה (chomah), "wall." Specifies the public and degrading location of the bodies' display.
  • בית־שאן (Bet Shan): "House of Rest." A strategically important city in the Jezreel Valley, held by the Philistines. Its wall served as a highly visible place for the public humiliation of the deceased Israelite leaders. Recovering the bodies from this very public, defiant location demonstrates immense courage and directly defies Philistine control. It stands as a polemic against the enemy's contempt and pagan practices of mutilation.
• and they came to Jabesh (וַיָּבֹאוּ יָבֵשָׁה – vayyāḇō’û yāḇēshâ):
  • ויבאו (vayyavo'u): From בּוֹא (bo), "to come, enter." Indicates the successful completion of their dangerous journey to their own city.
  • יָבֵשָׁה (Yaveshah): Jabesh, or more fully, Jabesh-Gilead. A city east of the Jordan, within the tribal territory of Gad (or Manasseh, depending on exact boundary interpretations). This was their home city, which Saul had famously delivered from Nahash the Ammonite (1 Sam 11). Their actions here are a profound demonstration of covenantal loyalty and gratitude for that past deliverance.
• and burned them there (וַיִּשְׂרְפוּ אוֹתָם שָׁם – vayyiśrᵉfû ’ôṯām shām):
  • וישרפו (vayyisrephu): From שָׂרַף (saraph), "to burn, consume by fire." This method of disposal is unusual in ancient Israelite custom for revered persons, as burial was the norm. Burning was often associated with punishment, desecration of idolatrous objects, or cleansing ritualistically defiled things (Lev 20:14, Deut 7:5). However, in this specific, dire context, it likely served multiple purposes:
    1. Preventing further desecration: The bodies had been mutilated and publicly disgraced; burning ensured they could not be further desecrated by the Philistines.
    2. Sanitation and respect: Given the potential for decay and public display, burning was the quickest and most respectful way to handle bodies that were beyond conventional burial due to their defiled state.
    3. Preparing for burial: As hinted in 1 Sam 31:13, the act of burning was likely followed by the collection of the bones/ashes for a proper burial, thereby respecting the traditional Israelite emphasis on physical interment. This would have made it possible to collect what remained for a burial without total disregard for custom.
  • שם (sham): "There." Emphasizes that this final, somber act occurred in their own territory, demonstrating control and dignity.

• Words-group Analysis:
  • "All the valiant men arose and went all night and they came to Jabesh": This phrase highlights the collective resolve, courageous initiative, immense effort, and dedication of the men of Jabesh-Gilead. Their overnight journey through enemy-held territory underscores the urgency and peril of their mission, signifying their profound loyalty and gratitude towards Saul.
  • "took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan": This phrase encapsulates the core action and its historical setting. It symbolizes a courageous act of defiance against the Philistines' public humiliation of Israel's fallen leadership. It was a recovery from profound dishonor, a powerful statement of reverence, and a reassertion of Israelite dignity against pagan practices.
  • "and burned them there": This phrase describes the unusual yet practical method of handling the defiled bodies. While seemingly contrary to Israelite burial customs, in this extreme circumstance, it was likely done out of necessity to cleanse the remains from Philistine defilement, prevent further disgrace, and prepare them for a respectful final burial of the bones/ashes. It allowed for the final closure of the king's remains in a dignified manner under severe circumstances.

1 Chronicles 10 12 Bonus section

• Chronicler's Emphasis: While 1 Samuel 31:11-13 presents a factual account, the Chronicler, whose primary aim was to trace the lineage and legitimate reign of David, briefly highlights this event to conclude Saul's story and transition to David. By focusing on this specific act of valor and loyalty, the Chronicler sets a tone of faithfulness and valor, which are also central themes in the subsequent narratives concerning David.
• Cultural Significance of Body Disposal: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the treatment of the dead, especially kings and leaders, was highly significant. Public display or denial of burial was an ultimate insult and act of subjugation, aimed at humiliating the vanquished nation. The courageous act of the men of Jabesh-Gilead was therefore a powerful counter-statement, reasserting Israelite honor and sovereignty in the face of their enemy's triumph.
• The Uniqueness of Burning: The Hebrew Bible generally prohibits burning human bodies, associating it with extreme punishment (as for grievous sexual sins in Lev 20:14) or utter contempt for idols and foreign practices. The unique circumstance here where it is performed by "valiant men" for their king indicates an exceptional situation where pragmatic necessity, coupled with deep reverence, overrode general custom. This act prevented further defilement and enabled the reverent interment of the skeletal remains, which was indeed a final resting place.

1 Chronicles 10 12 Commentary

1 Chronicles 10:12 provides a stark yet profoundly poignant moment following the tragic death of King Saul. The Chronicler emphasizes the selfless and heroic actions of the men of Jabesh-Gilead. Their journey through the night to reclaim Saul's desecrated body and those of his sons from the public display in Beth-shan reveals an extraordinary act of loyalty, born from an ancient debt of gratitude. This loyalty stands in contrast to the ignominy of Saul's end, and also subtly sets the stage for David, a king known for honoring both God and others, even his predecessors. The decision to "burn" the bodies was not an act of disrespect but likely a necessary and compassionate measure. Given the severe desecration and mutilation by the Philistines, this method allowed for the bodies to be properly handled and prepared for their ultimate burial, as seen in 1 Samuel 31:13 where their bones were interred. It represented a solemn and determined effort to reclaim dignity for Israel's fallen leader, reflecting a deep-seated value for respectful remembrance despite political upheaval and military defeat. This narrative showcases valiant and unwavering faithfulness in the face of immense adversity.