1 Samuel 31 12

1 Samuel 31:12 kjv

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.

1 Samuel 31:12 nkjv

all the valiant men arose and traveled 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 burned them there.

1 Samuel 31:12 niv

all their valiant men marched through the night to Beth Shan. They took down the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth Shan and went to Jabesh, where they burned them.

1 Samuel 31:12 esv

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 burned them there.

1 Samuel 31:12 nlt

all their mighty warriors traveled through the night to Beth-shan and took the bodies of Saul and his sons down from the wall. They brought them to Jabesh, where they burned the bodies.

1 Samuel 31 verses

1 Samuel 31 12 Meaning

The men of Jabesh-gilead, demonstrating remarkable valor and unwavering loyalty, undertook a perilous night journey to retrieve the bodies of King Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth-shan. There, the Philistines had publicly displayed the desecrated bodies. Upon returning to Jabesh-gilead, they burned the bodies to prevent further dishonor and then honorably buried their bones. This action was a courageous act of reciprocal gratitude for Saul's past deliverance of their city.

1 Samuel 31 12 Context

This verse immediately follows the catastrophic defeat of Israel at the Battle of Gilboa, where King Saul and three of his sons (including Jonathan) were slain by the Philistines. The Philistines, as a sign of total victory and public humiliation, severed Saul's head, stripped him of his armor, and nailed his and his sons' bodies to the wall of Beth-shan. This act was an extreme desecration, designed to demoralize Israel and solidify Philistine dominance. The men of Jabesh-gilead, located on the eastern side of the Jordan, demonstrated extraordinary loyalty because Saul had, early in his reign (1 Sam 11), valiantly rescued their city from Nahash the Ammonite. Their dangerous mission to retrieve the bodies was a deeply personal and corporate act of gratitude and reverence for their fallen king, seeking to undo the Philistine's ultimate indignity.

1 Samuel 31 12 Word analysis

• all the valiant men (Hebrew: kol bene chayil - "all sons of strength/valor"): This phrase signifies not just some but all capable, brave, and resolute men. It emphasizes their collective, unified, and determined character, born of courage and loyalty. This act underscores their commitment beyond common duty.
• arose (Hebrew: yakumu - "to rise," "to stand up"): Indicates an immediate, decisive, and resolute response. There was no hesitation; their action was prompt and purposeful, signifying determination.
• and went all night (Hebrew: wa-yelchu layla kol-hallel - "and they went the night, all of it"): Highlights the urgency, secrecy, and arduous nature of their mission. Traveling at night reduced the risk of detection by the Philistines. The considerable distance from Jabesh-gilead to Beth-shan (around 15-20 miles across the Jordan Valley) required an entire night's journey, showing extreme dedication and physical endurance for a perilous mission behind enemy lines.
• and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons (Hebrew: wa-yikchu et geviat Shaul ve-et geviat banav): "Geviyah" (גויה) refers to a corpse or cadaver. This action of "taking" was a reclamation of what was desecrated and a bold act of defiance against the victorious Philistines. It underscores their respect for the royal family, even in death.
• from the wall of Beth-shan (Hebrew: mi-chomat Bet-shan): Beth-shan was a significant Philistine stronghold. The bodies were publicly displayed on its walls, indicating a severe act of humiliation and triumph. Retrieving them from such a visible and fortified location speaks volumes of the Jabesh-gileadites' bravery and determination to undo the enemy's intended disgrace.
• and they came to Jabesh-gilead (Hebrew: wa-yavo'u el Yavesh Gil'ad): Their return to their home city emphasizes that this act was conducted within their own territory, signifying a return to safety and the completion of their hazardous mission for proper ritual.
• and burned them there (Hebrew: wa-yisrefu sham - "and they burned there"): This action is notable as standard Israelite burial practice involved interring bodies in the ground (Gen 3:19). Burning was typically reserved for instances of severe defilement (e.g., Josh 7:25) or when bones could not be retrieved intact, or to prevent further desecration of mutilated bodies (as indicated in Amos 2:1 regarding a king's bones). Here, given the extensive mutilation and the Philistine threat, burning the flesh was an act of extreme reverence and a practical necessity. It prevented further humiliation by enemies, secured the remains, and was likely followed by the burial of the bones (2 Sam 21:12-14 confirms the subsequent burial of Saul and Jonathan's bones, implying their collection after the burning). This specific act ensured that no part of the bodies could be further dishonored.

• all the valiant men arose and went all night: This phrase conveys collective heroism, unified purpose, and tireless devotion. Their arduous night journey demonstrates extraordinary determination in the face of great danger and immense personal risk. It speaks to a profound loyalty rooted in past kindness received.
• took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan: This segment details the primary objective—a perilous recovery mission. By reclaiming the desecrated bodies from the enemy's triumphant display, they defied the Philistines and initiated the process of restoring honor to their king. It encapsulates their courageous opposition to the ultimate enemy insult.
• and they came to Jabesh-gilead and burned them there: This final sequence marks the completion of their mission, a solemn act of final respect within their own territory. The burning, though unconventional for Israel, was a decisive act of preventing continued desecration, ensuring the remains were respectfully managed in dire circumstances. It symbolizes a defiant act of honor against great indignity.

1 Samuel 31 12 Bonus section

• The profound loyalty of the men of Jabesh-gilead is a powerful example of hesed, a Hebrew term denoting steadfast love, kindness, and loyalty, especially within covenantal relationships. Their act showcases hesed as reciprocal grace, remembering and repaying Saul's initial salvation of their city.
• The very specific mention of taking the bodies from "the wall of Beth-shan" underscores the audacity and extreme peril of their mission. It signifies an act of defiance against a dominant enemy, directly challenging the symbol of Philistine triumph and humiliation.
• This valiant act sets the stage for David's commendation of the men of Jabesh-gilead later (2 Sam 2:4-7), explicitly recognizing their righteousness and ensuring that this act of loyalty did not go unnoticed by the new king of Judah. This forms an important bridge of continuity in the narrative of Israel's leadership.
• The timing of their actions ("all night") reflects not only the urgency required but also the strategic stealth needed to enter and exit heavily fortified, enemy-held territory undetected. This emphasizes the clandestine and courageous nature of their mission to honor the fallen king.

1 Samuel 31 12 Commentary

1 Samuel 31:12 presents an inspiring display of covenant faithfulness (hesed) and exceptional courage. The men of Jabesh-gilead risked their lives, undertaking a dangerous nocturnal mission, not out of political allegiance to a fallen king, but from a profound sense of gratitude and loyalty for Saul's past act of deliverance (1 Sam 11). Their actions counter the Philistine’s attempt at ultimate humiliation by reclaiming the dignity of the dead. The unusual act of burning the bodies, instead of burial, was a strategic and reverent choice in extreme circumstances, likely performed to prevent any further desecration by the enemy and to secure the remains, followed by the eventual burial of the bones as noted later in Scripture (2 Sam 21:12-14). This verse highlights that even when God’s judgment falls (as it had on Saul), acts of human kindness, remembrance, and profound respect for others' dignity remain significant and commendable. It demonstrates enduring loyalty that transcends even death and public disgrace, teaching us the importance of reciprocating kindness and acting with integrity towards all, regardless of their standing.