They paid their respects by carefully laying the remains to rest and observing a sacred time of mourning.
In this closing scene of 1 Samuel, the men of Jabesh-Gilead gather to honor the fallen king of Israel. Even though Saul’s reign (circa 1050-1010 B.C.) ended in tragic defeat at the hands of the Philistines, the people of Jabesh-Gilead refuse to let the memory of their king and his sons be forgotten. As the account tells us, the men retrieve the remains and show their loyalty by following the Hebrew customs of burial and mourning, described by the statement that “They took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted for seven days” (v.13). Jabesh, also known as Jabesh-Gilead, lay east of the Jordan River in the territory of Gilead, providing these loyal men with a secure location for a respectful burial.
The reference to burying the bones “under the tamarisk tree” indicates a deliberate act of both reverence and remembrance. Tamarisk trees in the region offered shade and enduring roots, symbolizing steadfastness and memorial. By fasting seven days, the men of Jabesh-Gilead show deep sorrow and commitment to the proper customs of their time. They had reason to be thankful to Saul, since he had once delivered them from the threat of the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11:1-11), forging a lasting bond of gratitude. This solemn event not only completes the storyline of Saul but also sets the stage for the rise of a new king, David, eventually paving the way for the lineage that leads to Jesus the Messiah in the New Testament (Matthew 1:6).
This moment of burial and extended fasting underscores the importance of remembering and honoring those who have led God’s people, even when leadership has been flawed. Saul, despite his failures, was still anointed by God. This echoes the principle that believers should show respect and mercy, demonstrated ultimately in Jesus’s teaching on loving one’s enemies (Matthew 5:44). The people of Jabesh-Gilead embody kindness and loyalty, attributes that reflect God’s heart for sacrifice and solemn commemoration.
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1 Samuel 31:13 meaning
In this closing scene of 1 Samuel, the men of Jabesh-Gilead gather to honor the fallen king of Israel. Even though Saul’s reign (circa 1050-1010 B.C.) ended in tragic defeat at the hands of the Philistines, the people of Jabesh-Gilead refuse to let the memory of their king and his sons be forgotten. As the account tells us, the men retrieve the remains and show their loyalty by following the Hebrew customs of burial and mourning, described by the statement that “They took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted for seven days” (v.13). Jabesh, also known as Jabesh-Gilead, lay east of the Jordan River in the territory of Gilead, providing these loyal men with a secure location for a respectful burial.
The reference to burying the bones “under the tamarisk tree” indicates a deliberate act of both reverence and remembrance. Tamarisk trees in the region offered shade and enduring roots, symbolizing steadfastness and memorial. By fasting seven days, the men of Jabesh-Gilead show deep sorrow and commitment to the proper customs of their time. They had reason to be thankful to Saul, since he had once delivered them from the threat of the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11:1-11), forging a lasting bond of gratitude. This solemn event not only completes the storyline of Saul but also sets the stage for the rise of a new king, David, eventually paving the way for the lineage that leads to Jesus the Messiah in the New Testament (Matthew 1:6).
This moment of burial and extended fasting underscores the importance of remembering and honoring those who have led God’s people, even when leadership has been flawed. Saul, despite his failures, was still anointed by God. This echoes the principle that believers should show respect and mercy, demonstrated ultimately in Jesus’s teaching on loving one’s enemies (Matthew 5:44). The people of Jabesh-Gilead embody kindness and loyalty, attributes that reflect God’s heart for sacrifice and solemn commemoration.