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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/31.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/31.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Then they took their bones and buried them under a tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/31.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then they took their bones and buried them beneath the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and they fasted for seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/31.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh and fasted seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/31.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/31.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And they took their bones, and buried <i>them</i> under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/31.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then they took their bones and buried <i>them</i> under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/31.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and fasted for seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/31.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/31.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/31.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/31.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />They took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted [as a sign of mourning and respect] for seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/31.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Afterward, they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh and fasted seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/31.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Afterward, they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh and fasted seven days. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/31.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they took their bones, and buried them under the tamarisk-tree in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/31.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They buried the bones under a small tree in Jabesh, and for seven days, they went without eating to show their sorrow. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/31.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they took their bones, and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/31.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They took the bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh. Then they fasted seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/31.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then they took the bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in town, and fasted for seven days. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/31.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They took their bones, buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and fasted for seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/31.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/31.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They took the bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh; then they fasted for seven days. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/31.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They took their bones, and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/31.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/31.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and fasted seven days. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/31.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and they take their bones, and bury [them] under the tamarisk in Jabesh, and fast seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/31.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and they take their bones, and bury them under the tamarisk in Jabesh, and fast seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/31.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will take their bones and bury under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and they will fast seven days.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/31.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they took their bones and buried them in the wood of Jabes: and fasted seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/31.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And they took their bones, and they buried them in the forest of Jabesh. And they fasted for seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/31.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and fasted for seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/31.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/31.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And they took their bones and buried them under the almond tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/31.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they took their bones and they buried them under the almond tree which is at Yabish and they fasted seven days <div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/31.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And they took their bones, and buried them under the tamarisk-tree in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/31.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they take their bones, and bury them in the field that is in Jabis, and fast seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/31-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=9115" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/31.htm">Jabesh-gilead's Tribute to Saul</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">12</span>all their men of valor set out, journeyed all night, and retrieved the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth-shan. When they arrived at Jabesh, they burned the bodies there. <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3947.htm" title="3947: way·yiq·ḥū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To take. A primitive root; to take.">Then they took</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6106.htm" title="6106: ‘aṣ·mō·ṯê·hem (N-fpc:: 3mp) -- Bone, substance, self. From atsam; a bone; by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. Selfsame.">their bones</a> <a href="/hebrew/6912.htm" title="6912: way·yiq·bə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To bury. A primitive root; to intern.">and buried them</a> <a href="/hebrew/8478.htm" title="8478: ṯa·ḥaṯ- (Prep) -- Underneath, below, instead of. From the same as Towach; the bottom; only adverbially, below, in lieu of, etc.">under</a> <a href="/hebrew/815.htm" title="815: hā·’e·šel (Art:: N-ms) -- A tamarisk tree. From a root of uncertain signification; a tamarisk tree; by extension, a grove of any kind.">the tamarisk tree</a> <a href="/hebrew/3003.htm" title="3003: bə·yā·ḇê·šāh (Prep-b:: N-proper-fs:: 3fs) -- A place in Gilead, also an Isr. The same as yabesh; Jobesh, the name of an Israelite and of a place in Palestine.">in Jabesh,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6684.htm" title="6684: way·yā·ṣu·mū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To abstain from food, fast. A primitive root; to cover over, i.e. To fast.">and they fasted</a> <a href="/hebrew/7651.htm" title="7651: šiḇ·‘aṯ (Number-msc) -- Or shibrah; from shaba'; a primitive cardinal number; seven; also seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number.">seven</a> <a href="/hebrew/3117.htm" title="3117: yā·mîm (N-mp) -- Day. From an unused root meaning to be hot; a day, whether literal, or figurative.">days.</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/2-4.htm">2 Samuel 2:4-5</a></span><br />Then the men of Judah came to Hebron, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, “It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul.” / So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead to tell them, “The LORD bless you, because you showed this kindness to Saul your lord when you buried him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/10-12.htm">1 Chronicles 10:12</a></span><br />all their men of valor set out and retrieved the bodies of Saul and his sons and brought them to Jabesh. And they buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh and fasted seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/21-12.htm">2 Samuel 21:12-14</a></span><br />he went and took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the men of Jabesh-gilead, who had stolen them from the public square of Beth-shan where the Philistines had hung the bodies after they had struck down Saul at Gilboa. / So David had the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan brought from there, and they also gathered the bones of those who had been hanged. / And they buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in Zela in the land of Benjamin, in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish. After they had done everything the king had commanded, God answered their prayers for the land.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/50-10.htm">Genesis 50:10</a></span><br />When they reached the threshing floor of Atad, which is across the Jordan, they lamented and wailed loudly, and Joseph mourned for his father seven days.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/2-4.htm">Judges 2:4-5</a></span><br />When the angel of the LORD had spoken these words to all the Israelites, the people lifted up their voices and wept. / So they called that place Bochim and offered sacrifices there to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/1-11.htm">2 Samuel 1:11-12</a></span><br />Then David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and all the men who were with him did the same. / They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the people of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/23-17.htm">2 Kings 23:17-18</a></span><br />Then the king asked, “What is this monument I see?” And the men of the city replied, “It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and proclaimed these things that you have done to the altar of Bethel.” / “Let him rest,” said Josiah. “Do not let anyone disturb his bones.” So they left his bones undisturbed, along with those of the prophet who had come from Samaria.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/14-12.htm">Matthew 14:12</a></span><br />Then John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. And they went and informed Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/8-2.htm">Acts 8:2</a></span><br />God-fearing men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/23-19.htm">Genesis 23:19</a></span><br />After this, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave of the field at Machpelah near Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/3-31.htm">2 Samuel 3:31-32</a></span><br />Then David ordered Joab and all the people with him, “Tear your clothes, put on sackcloth, and mourn before Abner.” And King David himself walked behind the funeral bier. / When they buried Abner in Hebron, the king wept aloud at Abner’s tomb, and all the people wept.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/4-12.htm">2 Samuel 4:12</a></span><br />So David commanded his young men, and they killed Rechab and Baanah. They cut off their hands and feet and hung their bodies by the pool in Hebron, but they took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in Abner’s tomb in Hebron.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/9-34.htm">2 Kings 9:34-37</a></span><br />Then Jehu went in and ate and drank. “Take care of this cursed woman,” he said, “and bury her, for she was the daughter of a king.” / But when they went out to bury her, they found nothing but her skull, her feet, and the palms of her hands. / So they went back and told Jehu, who replied, “This is the word of the LORD, which He spoke through His servant Elijah the Tishbite: ‘On the plot of ground at Jezreel the dogs will devour the flesh of Jezebel. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-40.htm">John 19:40-42</a></span><br />So they took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices, according to the Jewish burial custom. / Now there was a garden in the place where Jesus was crucified, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. / And because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and the tomb was nearby, they placed Jesus there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/6-29.htm">Mark 6:29</a></span><br />When John’s disciples heard about this, they came and took his body and placed it in a tomb.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.</p><p class="hdg">their bones</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/35-8.htm">Genesis 35:8</a></b></br> But Deborah Rebekah's nurse died, and she was buried beneath Bethel under an oak: and the name of it was called Allonbachuth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/2-4.htm">2 Samuel 2:4,5</a></b></br> And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, <i>That</i> the men of Jabeshgilead <i>were they</i> that buried Saul… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/21-12.htm">2 Samuel 21:12-14</a></b></br> And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabeshgilead, which had stolen them from the street of Bethshan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa: … </p><p class="hdg">fasted seven</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/50-10.htm">Genesis 50:10</a></b></br> And they came to the threshingfloor of Atad, which <i>is</i> beyond Jordan, and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father seven days.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/judges/19-29.htm">Bones</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-3.htm">Buried</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-3.htm">Bury</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-8.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-38.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/1_samuel/7-6.htm">Fasted</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-11.htm">Food</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-12.htm">Jabesh</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-10.htm">Seven</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-6.htm">Tamarisk</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-6.htm">Tamarisk-Tree</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-6.htm">Tree</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_samuel/19-12.htm">Bones</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-4.htm">Buried</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-5.htm">Bury</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-2.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-12.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-12.htm">Fasted</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-12.htm">Food</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-4.htm">Jabesh</a> <a href="/2_samuel/2-11.htm">Seven</a> <a href="/jeremiah/17-6.htm">Tamarisk</a> <a href="/genesis/21-33.htm">Tamarisk-Tree</a> <a href="/2_samuel/18-10.htm">Tree</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 31</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/31-1.htm">Saul, having lost his army, and his sons slain, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/31-4.htm">he and his armor bearer kill themselves.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/31-7.htm">The Philistines possess the forsaken towns of the Israelites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/31-8.htm">They triumph over the dead bodies</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/31-11.htm">They of Jabesh Gilead recovering the dead bodies by night, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/31-12.htm">burn them at Jabesh, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/31-13.htm">and mournfully bury their bodies.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/31.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/31.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Then they took their bones</b><br>This phrase refers to the actions of the valiant men of Jabesh-gilead who retrieved the bodies of Saul and his sons from the Philistines. The bones symbolize the remains of the deceased, highlighting the respect and honor given to the dead in ancient Israelite culture. The retrieval of the bones signifies an act of loyalty and gratitude, as Saul had previously rescued Jabesh-gilead from the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11).<p><b>and buried them under the tamarisk tree</b><br>The tamarisk tree is significant as it was a common tree in the region, often associated with shade and rest. In biblical times, trees were sometimes used as landmarks or memorials. The burial under the tamarisk tree may symbolize a place of remembrance and honor. This act of burial also reflects the cultural and religious importance of proper burial practices in Israel, ensuring that the deceased were treated with dignity.<p><b>in Jabesh</b><br>Jabesh refers to Jabesh-gilead, a city east of the Jordan River. This location is significant because it was the city Saul had saved from Nahash the Ammonite, creating a bond between Saul and the people of Jabesh-gilead. Their actions in retrieving and burying Saul's bones demonstrate their loyalty and gratitude towards him.<p><b>and they fasted seven days</b><br>Fasting for seven days indicates a period of mourning and respect for the dead. The number seven often represents completeness or perfection in the Bible, suggesting a full period of mourning. This practice aligns with other biblical instances of mourning, such as the mourning for Jacob in <a href="/genesis/50-10.htm">Genesis 50:10</a>. Fasting was a way to express grief, seek God's favor, and reflect on the events that had transpired.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_men_of_jabesh-gilead.htm">The Men of Jabesh-gilead</a></b><br>These were the valiant men who retrieved the bodies of Saul and his sons from the Philistines. Their actions demonstrated loyalty and respect for Saul, who had previously rescued their city.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/saul_and_his_sons.htm">Saul and His Sons</a></b><br>King Saul and his sons, including Jonathan, died in battle against the Philistines. Their bodies were desecrated by the enemy, prompting the men of Jabesh-gilead to act.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_tamarisk_tree.htm">The Tamarisk Tree</a></b><br>A significant location in Jabesh where the bones of Saul and his sons were buried. The tamarisk tree symbolizes a place of remembrance and mourning.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/jabesh-gilead.htm">Jabesh-gilead</a></b><br>A city in Israel that had a historical connection with Saul. It was the first city Saul saved as king, which likely motivated the men of Jabesh-gilead to honor him in death.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_philistines.htm">The Philistines</a></b><br>The enemies of Israel who defeated Saul and his sons, displaying their bodies as a sign of victory and humiliation over Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/l/loyalty_and_honor.htm">Loyalty and Honor</a></b><br>The men of Jabesh-gilead exemplify loyalty and honor, even in the face of danger. Christians are called to honor and respect others, even those who have fallen from grace.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_mourning.htm">The Importance of Mourning</a></b><br>Mourning is a biblical practice that allows for reflection and healing. It is important to take time to grieve and remember those who have passed.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/courage_in_adversity.htm">Courage in Adversity</a></b><br>The actions of the men of Jabesh-gilead required courage. Believers are encouraged to act courageously in the face of adversity, standing up for what is right.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/legacy_and_remembrance.htm">Legacy and Remembrance</a></b><br>The burial under the tamarisk tree serves as a reminder of Saul's legacy. Christians should consider the legacy they are leaving and how they will be remembered.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_31.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 31</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_bible's_view_on_mourning.htm">What does the Bible say about mourning periods?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_1_chr_10_13_blame_saul's_death.htm">Why does 1 Chronicles 10:13 emphasize Saul's death as punishment for consulting a medium, when 1 Samuel 31 attributes his defeat primarily to the Philistine assault?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_risk_lives_for_saul's_body.htm">Why would the men of Jabesh-gilead risk their lives to retrieve Saul's body if he was seen as a failed king (1 Samuel 31:11-13)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_saul's_death_in_1_chronicles.htm">What historical or archaeological evidence supports the details of Saul's death as described in 1 Chronicles 10, particularly regarding the Philistines' role and the aftermath?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/31.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) <span class= "bld">A tree in Jabesh.</span>--A tree, that is "the well-known" tamarisk (<span class= "ital">eshel</span>)<span class= "ital">. </span>For Saul's love for trees see as an instance <a href="/1_samuel/22-6.htm" title="When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him, (now Saul stayed in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him;)">1Samuel 22:6</a>. The men of Jabesh-Gilead well remembered this peculiar fancy of their dead king, and under the waving branches of their own beautiful and famous tamarisk they tenderly laid the remains of their dead hero and his princely sons.<p>Evidently King David, at a subsequent period, fetched away these royal remains, and had them reverently interred in the family sepulchre of Kish, the father of Saul, in Zelah of Benjamin (<a href="/2_samuel/21-12.htm" title="And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabeshgilead, which had stolen them from the street of Bethshan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa:">2Samuel 21:12</a>; <a href="/2_samuel/21-14.htm" title="And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulcher of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was entreated for the land.">2Samuel 21:14</a>).<p><span class= "bld">And fasted seven days.</span>--This was the period the sons of Israel mourned for Jacob at the threshing floor of Atad beyond Jordan (<a href="/genesis/1-10.htm" title="And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.">Genesis 1:10</a>). The grateful men of Jabesh-Gilead thus paid the last honours to the fallen Saul.<p>It is probable that the Talmudic rule which enjoins strict mourning for seven days (fasting was mourning of the strictest kind) was originally based on these two historic periods of mourning recorded in the case of the great ancestor of the tribes, Jacob, and of the first King Saul, although the curious tradition preserved in the Babylonian Talmud gives a special reason for the period--seven days. Rav. Chisda said: The soul of the deceased mourns over him <span class= "ital">the first seven days; </span>for it is said, <a href="/job/14-22.htm" title="But his flesh on him shall have pain, and his soul within him shall mourn.">Job 14:22</a>, "and his soul shall mourn over him." Rav. Jehudah said: If there are no mourners to condole with, ten men sit down where the death took place. Such a case happened in the neighbourhood of Rav. Jehudah. <span class= "ital">After the seven days of mourning, </span>the deceased appeared to Rav. Jehudah in a dream, and said <span class= "ital">"</span>Mayest thou be comforted as thou hast comforted me."--Treatise <span class= "ital">Shabbath, </span>fol. 152, Colossians 2. . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/31-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then they took</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּקְחוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·ḥū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3947.htm">Strong's 3947: </a> </span><span class="str2">To take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their bones</span><br /><span class="heb">עַצְמֹ֣תֵיהֶ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(‘aṣ·mō·ṯê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6106.htm">Strong's 6106: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bone, the body, the substance, selfsame</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and buried</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּקְבְּר֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiq·bə·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6912.htm">Strong's 6912: </a> </span><span class="str2">To inter</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them under</span><br /><span class="heb">תַֽחַת־</span> <span class="translit">(ṯa·ḥaṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8478.htm">Strong's 8478: </a> </span><span class="str2">The bottom, below, in lieu of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the tamarisk tree</span><br /><span class="heb">הָאֶ֖שֶׁל</span> <span class="translit">(hā·’e·šel)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_815.htm">Strong's 815: </a> </span><span class="str2">A tamarisk tree, a grove of any kind</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in Jabesh,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּיָבֵ֑שָׁה</span> <span class="translit">(bə·yā·ḇê·šāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3003.htm">Strong's 3003: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jabesh -- a place in Gilead, also an Israelite</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and they fasted</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּצֻ֖מוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·ṣu·mū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6684.htm">Strong's 6684: </a> </span><span class="str2">To abstain from food, fast</span><br /><br /><span class="word">seven</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁבְעַ֥ת</span> <span class="translit">(šiḇ·‘aṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7651.htm">Strong's 7651: </a> </span><span class="str2">Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number</span><br /><br /><span class="word">days.</span><br /><span class="heb">יָמִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(yā·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3117.htm">Strong's 3117: </a> </span><span class="str2">A day</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/31-13.htm">1 Samuel 31:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/31-13.htm">1 Samuel 31:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/31-13.htm">1 Samuel 31:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/31-13.htm">1 Samuel 31:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/31-13.htm">1 Samuel 31:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/31-13.htm">1 Samuel 31:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/31-13.htm">1 Samuel 31:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/31-13.htm">1 Samuel 31:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/31-13.htm">1 Samuel 31:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/31-13.htm">1 Samuel 31:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/31-13.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 31:13 They took their bones and buried them (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/31-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 31:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 31:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_samuel/1-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Samuel 1:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Samuel 1:1" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>