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Selected Verse: 1 Samuel 31:11 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
1Sa 31:11	Strong Concordance	And when the inhabitants [03427] of Jabeshgilead [03003] [01568] heard [08085] of that which the Philistines [06430] had done [06213] to Saul [07586];
	King James	And when the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead heard of that which the Philistines had done to Saul;

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
THE MEN OF JABESH-GILEAD RECOVER THE BODIES AND BURY THEM AT JABESH. (Sa1 31:11-13) the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard of that which the Philistines had done--Mindful of the important and timely services Saul had rendered them, they gratefully and heroically resolved not to suffer such indignities to be inflicted on the remains of the royal family.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

THE MEN OF JABESH-GILEAD RECOVER THE BODIES AND BURY THEM AT JABESH. (Sa1 31:11-13)

the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard of that which the Philistines had done--Mindful of the important and timely services Saul had rendered them, they gratefully and heroically resolved not to suffer such indignities to be inflicted on the remains of the royal family.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
When the inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead heard ... - See Sa1 11:1-15. This is a touching and rare example of national gratitude.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]
When the inhabitants of Jabesh in Gilead heard this, all the brave men of the town set out to Beth-shean, took down the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall, brought them to Jabesh, and burned them there. "But their bones they buried under the tamarisk at Jabesh, and fasted seven days," to mourn for the king their former deliverer (see Sa1 11:1-15). These statements are given in a very condensed form in the Chronicles (Sa1 31:11, Sa1 31:12). Not only is the fact that "they went the whole night" omitted, as being of no essential importance to the general history; but the removal of the bodies from the town-wall is also passed over, because their being fastened there had not been mentioned, and also the burning of the bodies. The reason for the last omission is not to be sought for in the fact that the author of the Chronicles regarded burning as ignominious, according to Lev 20:14; Lev 21:9, but because he did not see how to reconcile the burning of the bodies with the burial of the bones. It was not the custom in Israel to burn the corpse, but to bury it in the ground. The former was restricted to the worst criminals (see at Lev 20:14). Consequently the Chaldee interpreted the word "burnt" as relating to the burning of spices, a custom which we meet with afterwards as a special honour shown to certain of the kings of Judah on the occasion of their burial (Ch2 16:14; Ch2 21:19; Jer 34:5). But this is expressed by שׂרפה לו שׂרף, "to make a burning for him," whereas here it is stated distinctly that "they burnt them." The reason for the burning of the bodies in the case of Saul and his sons is to be sought for in the peculiarity of the circumstances; viz., partly in the fact that the bodies were mutilated by the removal of the heads, and therefore a regular burial of the dead was impossible, and partly in their anxiety lest, if the Philistines followed up their victory and came to Jabesh, they should desecrate the bodies still further. But even this was not a complete burning to ashes, but merely a burning of the skin and flesh; so that the bones still remained, and they were buried in the ground under a shady tree. Instead of "under the (well-known) tamarisk" (eshel), we have האלה תּחת (under the strong tree) in Ch1 10:11. David afterwards had them fetched away and buried in Saul's family grave at Zela, in the land of Benjamin (Sa2 21:11.). The seven days' fast kept by the Jabeshites was a sign of public and general mourning on the part of the inhabitants of that town at the death of the king, who had once rescued them from the most abominable slavery. In this ignominious fate of Saul there was manifested the righteous judgment of God in consequence of the hardening of his heart. But the love which the citizens of Jabesh displayed in their treatment of the corpses of Saul and his sons, had reference not to the king as rejected by God, but to the king as anointed with the Spirit of Jehovah, and was a practical condemnation, not of the divine judgment which had fallen upon Saul, but of the cruelty of the enemies of Israel and its anointed. For although Saul had waged war almost incessantly against the Philistines, it is not known that in any one of his victories he had ever been guilty of such cruelties towards the conquered and slaughtered foe as could justify this barbarous revenge on the part of the uncircumcised upon his lifeless corpse.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]

When the inhabitants of Jabesh in Gilead heard this, all the brave men of the town set out to Beth-shean, took down the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall, brought them to Jabesh, and burned them there. "But their bones they buried under the tamarisk at Jabesh, and fasted seven days," to mourn for the king their former deliverer (see Sa1 11:1-15). These statements are given in a very condensed form in the Chronicles (Sa1 31:11, Sa1 31:12). Not only is the fact that "they went the whole night" omitted, as being of no essential importance to the general history; but the removal of the bodies from the town-wall is also passed over, because their being fastened there had not been mentioned, and also the burning of the bodies. The reason for the last omission is not to be sought for in the fact that the author of the Chronicles regarded burning as ignominious, according to Lev 20:14; Lev 21:9, but because he did not see how to reconcile the burning of the bodies with the burial of the bones. It was not the custom in Israel to burn the corpse, but to bury it in the ground. The former was restricted to the worst criminals (see at Lev 20:14). Consequently the Chaldee interpreted the word "burnt" as relating to the burning of spices, a custom which we meet with afterwards as a special honour shown to certain of the kings of Judah on the occasion of their burial (Ch2 16:14; Ch2 21:19; Jer 34:5). But this is expressed by שׂרפה לו שׂרף, "to make a burning for him," whereas here it is stated distinctly that "they burnt them." The reason for the burning of the bodies in the case of Saul and his sons is to be sought for in the peculiarity of the circumstances; viz., partly in the fact that the bodies were mutilated by the removal of the heads, and therefore a regular burial of the dead was impossible, and partly in their anxiety lest, if the Philistines followed up their victory and came to Jabesh, they should desecrate the bodies still further. But even this was not a complete burning to ashes, but merely a burning of the skin and flesh; so that the bones still remained, and they were buried in the ground under a shady tree. Instead of "under the (well-known) tamarisk" (eshel), we have האלה תּחת (under the strong tree) in Ch1 10:11. David afterwards had them fetched away and buried in Saul's family grave at Zela, in the land of Benjamin (Sa2 21:11.). The seven days' fast kept by the Jabeshites was a sign of public and general mourning on the part of the inhabitants of that town at the death of the king, who had once rescued them from the most abominable slavery.

In this ignominious fate of Saul there was manifested the righteous judgment of God in consequence of the hardening of his heart. But the love which the citizens of Jabesh displayed in their treatment of the corpses of Saul and his sons, had reference not to the king as rejected by God, but to the king as anointed with the Spirit of Jehovah, and was a practical condemnation, not of the divine judgment which had fallen upon Saul, but of the cruelty of the enemies of Israel and its anointed. For although Saul had waged war almost incessantly against the Philistines, it is not known that in any one of his victories he had ever been guilty of such cruelties towards the conquered and slaughtered foe as could justify this barbarous revenge on the part of the uncircumcised upon his lifeless corpse.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
When the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard - This act of the men of Jabesh-gilead was an act of gratitude due to Saul, who, at the very commencement of his reign, rescued them from Nahash, king of the Ammonites, (see Sa1 11:1, etc.), and by his timely succours saved them from the deepest degradation and the most oppressive tyranny. This heroic act, with the seven days' fast, showed that they retained a due sense of their obligation to this unfortunate monarch.

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¹¹ And when the inhabitants [03427] of Jabeshgilead [03003] [01568] heard [08085] of that which the Philistines [06430] had done [06213] to Saul [07586];
¹² All the valiant [02428] men [0376] [0381] arose [06965], and went [03212] all night [03915], and took [03947] the body [01472] of Saul [07586] and the bodies [01472] of his sons [01121] from the wall [02346] of Bethshan [01052], and came [0935] to Jabesh [03003], and burnt [08313] them there.
¹³ And they took [03947] their bones [06106], and buried [06912] them under a tree [0815] at Jabesh [03003], and fasted [06684] seven [07651] days [03117].

¹ Then Nahash [05176] the Ammonite [05984] came up [05927], and encamped [02583] against Jabeshgilead [03003] [01568]: and all the men [0582] of Jabesh [03003] said [0559] unto Nahash [05176], Make [03772] a covenant [01285] with us, and we will serve [05647] thee.
² And Nahash [05176] the Ammonite [05984] answered [0559] them, On this [02063] condition will I make [03772] a covenant with you, that I may thrust out [05365] all your right [03225] eyes [05869], and lay [07760] it for a reproach [02781] upon all Israel [03478].
³ And the elders [02205] of Jabesh [03003] said [0559] unto him, Give us seven [07651] days [03117]' respite [07503], that we may send [07971] messengers [04397] unto all the coasts [01366] of Israel [03478]: and then, if there be no man to save [03467] us, we will come out [03318] to thee.
⁴ Then came [0935] the messengers [04397] to Gibeah [01390] of Saul [07586], and told [01696] the tidings [01697] in the ears [0241] of the people [05971]: and all the people [05971] lifted up [05375] their voices [06963], and wept [01058].
⁵ And, behold, Saul [07586] came [0935] after [0310] the herd [01241] out of the field [07704]; and Saul [07586] said [0559], What aileth the people [05971] that they weep [01058]? And they told [05608] him the tidings [01697] of the men [0582] of Jabesh [03003].
⁶ And the Spirit [07307] of God [0430] came [06743] upon Saul [07586] when he heard [08085] those tidings [01697], and his anger [0639] was kindled [02734] greatly [03966].
⁷ And he took [03947] a yoke [06776] of oxen [01241], and hewed them in pieces [05408], and sent [07971] them throughout all the coasts [01366] of Israel [03478] by the hands [03027] of messengers [04397], saying [0559], Whosoever cometh not forth [03318] after [0310] Saul [07586] and after [0310] Samuel [08050], so shall it be done [06213] unto his oxen [01241]. And the fear [06343] of the LORD [03068] fell [05307] on the people [05971], and they came out [03318] with one [0259] consent [0376].
⁸ And when he numbered [06485] them in Bezek [0966], the children [01121] of Israel [03478] were three [07969] hundred [03967] thousand [0505], and the men [0376] of Judah [03063] thirty [07970] thousand [0505].
⁹ And they said [0559] unto the messengers [04397] that came [0935], Thus shall ye say [0559] unto the men [0376] of Jabeshgilead [03003] [01568], To morrow [04279], by that time the sun [08121] be hot [02527], ye shall have help [08668]. And the messengers [04397] came [0935] and shewed [05046] it to the men [0582] of Jabesh [03003]; and they were glad [08055].
¹⁰ Therefore the men [0582] of Jabesh [03003] said [0559], To morrow [04279] we will come out [03318] unto you, and ye shall do [06213] with us all that seemeth [05869] good [02896] unto you.
¹¹ And it was so on the morrow [04283], that Saul [07586] put [07760] the people [05971] in three [07969] companies [07218]; and they came [0935] into the midst [08432] of the host [04264] in the morning [01242] watch [0821], and slew [05221] the Ammonites [05983] until the heat [02527] of the day [03117]: and it came to pass, that they which remained [07604] were scattered [06327], so that two [08147] of them were not left [07604] together [03162].
¹² And the people [05971] said [0559] unto Samuel [08050], Who is he that said [0559], Shall Saul [07586] reign [04427] over us? bring [05414] the men [0582], that we may put them to death [04191].
¹³ And Saul [07586] said [0559], There shall not a man [0376] be put to death [04191] this day [03117]: for to day [03117] the LORD [03068] hath wrought [06213] salvation [08668] in Israel [03478].
¹⁴ Then said [0559] Samuel [08050] to the people [05971], Come [03212], and let us go [03212] to Gilgal [01537], and renew [02318] the kingdom [04410] there.
¹⁵ And all the people [05971] went [03212] to Gilgal [01537]; and there they made Saul [07586] king [04427] before [06440] the LORD [03068] in Gilgal [01537]; and there they sacrificed [02076] sacrifices [02077] of peace offerings [08002] before [06440] the LORD [03068]; and there Saul [07586] and all the men [0582] of Israel [03478] rejoiced [08055] greatly [03966].

¹¹ And it was told [05046] David [01732] what Rizpah [07532] the daughter [01323] of Aiah [0345], the concubine [06370] of Saul [07586], had done [06213].

¹¹ And when all Jabeshgilead [03003] [01568] heard [08085] all that the Philistines [06430] had done [06213] to Saul [07586],

⁵ But thou shalt die [04191] in peace [07965]: and with the burnings [04955] of thy fathers [01], the former [07223] kings [04428] which were before [06440] thee, so shall they burn [08313] odours for thee; and they will lament [05594] thee, saying, Ah [01945] lord [0113]! for I have pronounced [01696] the word [01697], saith [05002] the LORD [03068].

¹⁹ And it came to pass, that in process of time [03117], after [03318] [06256] the end [07093] of two [08147] years [03117], his bowels [04578] fell out [03318] by reason [05973] of his sickness [02483]: so he died [04191] of sore [07451] diseases [08463]. And his people [05971] made [06213] no burning [08316] for him, like the burning [08316] of his fathers [01].

¹⁴ And they buried [06912] him in his own sepulchres [06913], which he had made [03738] for himself in the city [05892] of David [01732], and laid [07901] him in the bed [04904] which was filled [04390] with sweet odours [01314] and divers kinds [02177] of spices prepared [07543] by the apothecaries [04842]' art [04639]: and they made [08313] a very [03966] great [01419] burning [08316] for him.

¹⁴ And if a man [0376] take [03947] a wife [0802] and her mother [0517], it is wickedness [02154]: they shall be burnt [08313] with fire [0784], both he and they; that there be no wickedness [02154] among [08432] you.

⁹ And the daughter [01323] of any [0376] priest [03548], if she profane [02490] herself by playing the whore [02181], she profaneth [02490] her father [01]: she shall be burnt [08313] with fire [0784].

¹² All the valiant [02428] men [0376] [0381] arose [06965], and went [03212] all night [03915], and took [03947] the body [01472] of Saul [07586] and the bodies [01472] of his sons [01121] from the wall [02346] of Bethshan [01052], and came [0935] to Jabesh [03003], and burnt [08313] them there.

¹¹ And when the inhabitants [03427] of Jabeshgilead [03003] [01568] heard [08085] of that which the Philistines [06430] had done [06213] to Saul [07586];