1 Samuel 31 13

1 Samuel 31:13 kjv

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

1 Samuel 31:13 nkjv

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

1 Samuel 31:13 niv

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

1 Samuel 31:13 esv

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

1 Samuel 31:13 nlt

Then they took their bones and buried them beneath the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and they fasted for seven days.

1 Samuel 31 verses

1 Samuel 31 13 Meaning

1 Samuel 31:13 describes the actions of the valiant men of Jabesh-Gilead, who, after rescuing the desecrated bodies of King Saul and his sons from the Philistine wall of Beth-Shan, brought them to Jabesh and accorded them a proper burial. This act included burying their remains under a prominent tamarisk tree and subsequently observing a seven-day period of fasting as a profound display of mourning and respect for the fallen king and his lineage. It highlights the deep loyalty of the Jabesh-Gileadites towards Saul, who had previously delivered them from the Ammonites.

1 Samuel 31 13 Context

1 Samuel chapter 31 narrates the final, tragic battle between Israel and the Philistines on Mount Gilboa. King Saul, his three sons (Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchi-Shua), and a large portion of the Israelite army were slain. Saul, gravely wounded and unwilling to be captured and humiliated, fell on his own sword. The Philistines, finding the bodies, desecrated them by cutting off Saul's head, stripping his armor, and displaying his body along with those of his sons on the wall of Beth-Shan. This act was a brutal statement of dominance and contempt. Upon hearing this horrific news, the valiant men of Jabesh-Gilead, remembering Saul's earlier deliverance of their city from Nahash the Ammonite (1 Sam 11), undertook a dangerous nighttime journey to retrieve the bodies. Verse 13 details their reverent and culturally significant actions following this perilous mission, bringing closure and honor to the fallen king, a stark contrast to the Philistine desecration and a poignant testament to the loyalty they owed Saul.

1 Samuel 31 13 Word analysis

• Then they took (wayyiqḥû, וַיִּקְח֣וּ): This denotes immediate and purposeful action. The men of Jabesh-Gilead did not hesitate once they recovered the bodies.
• their bones (ʿaṣāmô, עַצְמֹתֵיהֶם֙): Lit. "their bones." In ancient Hebrew thought, "bones" (עֶצֶם, ʿeṣem) could represent the core essence of a person, even the person themselves, or the complete physical remains after flesh had decomposed or been removed. Here, it signifies the reverence for the complete person, not just remnants, highlighting a complete burial. The recovery of the physical remains, even in this state, was crucial for proper burial and honoring the individual and their family.
• and buried them (wayyiqbĕrû, וַיִּקְבְּר֣וּ): To place in a tomb or in the earth. This verb indicates a formal, culturally imperative act. A proper burial was paramount in ancient Israelite culture, representing respect, allowing the deceased to rest with their ancestors, and preventing dishonor (cf. Deut 21:23). It was an act of mercy (ḥesed, חֶסֶד), especially significant given the previous Philistine desecration.
• under (taḥat, תַּ֖חַת): Indicates the location relative to the tree, signifying a specific, designated burial place.
• the tamarisk tree (hāʾēšel, הָאֵ֣שֶׁל): An evergreen, deep-rooted tree. The specific identity of "the" tamarisk suggests a prominent, known tree in Jabesh, possibly one that had a long standing presence or was perhaps linked to communal gatherings. Some commentaries note that Abraham planted a tamarisk tree (Gen 21:33) as a symbol of remembrance or for sacred assembly, adding potential layers of meaning, although not explicitly stated as such for Saul's burial tree. Its evergreen nature might suggest permanence, contrasting with the transience of life.
• at Jabesh (beYāḇēš, בְּיָבֵ֑שׁ): Refers to Jabesh-Gilead, the city whose inhabitants were delivered by Saul earlier in his reign (1 Sam 11). This highlights the reciprocal loyalty of the Jabesh-Gileadites to Saul, offering him a resting place among those who remembered his great act of deliverance. It underscores the theme of chesed (loyal love/kindness).
• and fasted (wayyāṣumū, וַיָּצֻ֣מוּ): To abstain from food for a period, typically for mourning, repentance, or seeking divine intervention. Here, it is a sign of profound grief and lamentation.
• seven days (šibʿat yāmîm, שִׁבְעַ֣ת יָמִים֙): A common, traditional period of intense mourning in ancient Israel (e.g., for Jacob in Gen 50:10; for Moses in Deut 34:8). The number seven often signifies completion or fullness in biblical numerology, indicating a thorough and comprehensive period of grief and lamentation. This extended public mourning reinforces the gravity of the loss and the depth of respect for the fallen king and his sons.

Words-group analysis:

• "Then they took their bones and buried them": This phrase immediately conveys the core act: a rescue followed by a reverent funeral. The juxtaposition with the preceding Philistine desecration highlights the valor and devotion of the men of Jabesh-Gilead who rectified a great wrong. It restores dignity to Saul in death, something denied him by his enemies.
• "under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh": This provides the specific, identifiable location of the burial, marking it as a significant landmark of mourning. The tree offers a sense of enduring presence and perhaps solitude for their final rest, distinguishing it from an unmarked grave. Burying in Jabesh itself solidifies the bond between Saul and this grateful community, making his burial a local memorial rather than a forgotten event.
• "and fasted seven days": This action denotes a collective and prolonged period of intense grief, sorrow, and possibly penance. It goes beyond the mere physical act of burial, signaling a deep emotional and spiritual observance of the death of their king. This traditional period of mourning was a communal demonstration of respect and lamentation, fulfilling societal and religious expectations for honoring the dead.

1 Samuel 31 13 Bonus section

• Covenant Loyalty (Chesed): The actions of the men of Jabesh-Gilead embody the concept of chesed, loyal love or faithfulness. Their retrieval and proper burial of Saul's body was not just a humanitarian act but a demonstration of covenant loyalty for his past deliverance of their city, underscoring the reciprocal nature of leadership and allegiance in Israelite society.
• Contrast to Abraham's Tamarisk: While Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba as an act of calling on the Lord, here the tree primarily serves as a solemn burial site, demonstrating continuity in the symbolic use of specific trees for significant events in Israelite history.
• David's Acknowledgment: In 2 Samuel 2:4-7, when David learns of this heroic act, he commends and blesses the men of Jabesh-Gilead, recognizing their faithfulness to "your lord, even Saul," and promises to show them kindness in return. This shows that the act was seen as righteous and honorable even by Saul's successor.
• Finality for Saul's Reign: This verse serves as a crucial emotional and spiritual closing chapter to Saul's troubled reign. It ensures that, despite his complex life and tragic end, he receives a proper farewell, providing a degree of closure and honor that prevents his story from ending solely in desecration.

1 Samuel 31 13 Commentary

1 Samuel 31:13 powerfully concludes the narrative of Saul's reign, focusing not on his failures or his tragic death on the battlefield, but on an act of profound loyalty and respect. The men of Jabesh-Gilead risked their lives to recover and properly bury Saul and his sons, whose bodies had been horrifically desecrated by the Philistines. This action served several critical purposes: it countered the enemy's dishonor, restored a semblance of dignity to the fallen king, and fulfilled the essential cultural and religious mandate in ancient Israel for a proper burial. The choice of the tamarisk tree, possibly a significant local landmark or symbolic plant, provided a tangible resting place. The ensuing seven-day fast emphasized the depth and sincerity of their communal grief and gratitude, honoring the king who had once saved them. This final act highlights that despite Saul's many failings, a loyal remnant still remembered his early acts of leadership and showed him ultimate faithfulness.