1 Samuel 31:11
New International Version
When the people of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,

New Living Translation
But when the people of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,

English Standard Version
But when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,

Berean Standard Bible
When the people of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,

King James Bible
And when the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead heard of that which the Philistines had done to Saul;

New King James Version
Now when the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,

New American Standard Bible
Now when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,

NASB 1995
Now when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,

NASB 1977
Now when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,

Amplified Bible
When the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,

Christian Standard Bible
When the residents of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When the residents of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,

American Standard Version
And when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard concerning him that which the Philistines had done to Saul,

Contemporary English Version
The people who lived in Jabesh in Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul's body.

English Revised Version
And when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard concerning him that which the Philistines had done to Saul,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When the people living in Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,

Good News Translation
When the people of Jabesh in Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,

International Standard Version
When the residents of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,

Majority Standard Bible
When the people of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,

NET Bible
When the residents of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,

New Heart English Bible
But when the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,

Webster's Bible Translation
And when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard of that which the Philistines had done to Saul,

World English Bible
When the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And they hear regarding it—the inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead—that which the Philistines have done to Saul,

Young's Literal Translation
And they hear regarding it -- the inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead -- that which the Philistines have done to Saul,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead will hear concerning him what the rovers did to Saul,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Now when the inhabitants of Jabes Galaad had heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead had heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul,

New American Bible
When the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,

New Revised Standard Version
But when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard of that which the Philistines had done to Saul and to his sons,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the dwellers of Yabish of Gelad heard the thing that the Philistines had done to Shaul and to his sons
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard concerning him that which the Philistines had done to Saul,

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the inhabitants of Jabis Galaad hear what the Philistines did to Saul.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jabesh-gilead's Tribute to Saul
11When the people of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, 12all 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.…

Cross References
2 Samuel 2:4-5
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.

1 Chronicles 10:11-12
When all the people of Jabesh-gilead heard about everything the Philistines had done to Saul, / 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.

2 Samuel 21:12-14
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.

Judges 21:8-12
So they asked, “Which one of the tribes of Israel failed to come up before the LORD at Mizpah?” And, in fact, no one from Jabesh-gilead had come to the camp for the assembly. / For when the people were counted, none of the residents of Jabesh-gilead were there. / So the congregation sent 12,000 of their most valiant men and commanded them: “Go and put to the sword those living in Jabesh-gilead, including women and children. ...

2 Samuel 1:20
Tell it not in Gath; proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, and the daughters of the uncircumcised exult.

1 Kings 21:13
And the two scoundrels came in and sat opposite Naboth, and these men testified against him before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king!” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death.

2 Kings 9:35-37
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. / And Jezebel’s body will lie like dung in the field on the plot of ground at Jezreel, so that no one can say: This is Jezebel.’”

Matthew 14:12
Then John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. And they went and informed Jesus.

Mark 6:29
When John’s disciples heard about this, they came and took his body and placed it in a tomb.

Acts 8:2
God-fearing men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him.

Genesis 23:2-4
She died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan, and Abraham went out to mourn and to weep for her. / Then Abraham got up from beside his dead wife and said to the Hittites, / “I am a foreigner and an outsider among you. Give me a burial site among you so that I can bury my dead.”

Genesis 50:10-11
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. / When the Canaanites of the land saw the mourning at the threshing floor of Atad, they said, “This is a solemn ceremony of mourning by the Egyptians.” Thus the place across the Jordan is called Abel-mizraim.

Joshua 24:29-30
Some time later, Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died at the age of 110. / And they buried him in the land of his inheritance, at Timnath-serah in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash.

2 Samuel 3:31-32
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.

2 Samuel 4:12
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.


Treasury of Scripture

And when the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead heard of that which the Philistines had done to Saul;

Jabesh-gilead

1 Samuel 11:1
Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabeshgilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee.

2 Samuel 2:4
And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul.

of that.

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1 Samuel 31
1. Saul, having lost his army, and his sons slain,
4. he and his armor bearer kill themselves.
7. The Philistines possess the forsaken towns of the Israelites
8. They triumph over the dead bodies
11. They of Jabesh Gilead recovering the dead bodies by night,
12. burn them at Jabesh,
13. and mournfully bury their bodies.














When the people of Jabesh-gilead
Jabesh-gilead was a city located east of the Jordan River in the territory of Gilead. It is significant in Israel's history, particularly in the narrative of Saul. The people of Jabesh-gilead had a special connection to Saul because he had previously rescued them from the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11). This act of deliverance created a bond of loyalty and gratitude towards Saul, which is evident in their later actions. The city’s location in Gilead, a region known for its balm and healing properties, may symbolically reflect the healing and restoration they sought to bring to Saul’s legacy.

heard what the Philistines had done to Saul
The Philistines were a constant threat to Israel during the time of Saul. They were a seafaring people who settled along the coastal regions of Canaan and were known for their military prowess and advanced weaponry, including iron chariots. The Philistines' actions against Saul included not only defeating him in battle but also desecrating his body, which was a common practice in ancient warfare to humiliate the enemy and assert dominance. This act was particularly grievous to the Israelites, as it was seen as a dishonor not only to Saul but to the nation of Israel and their God. The news of Saul's defeat and the subsequent treatment of his body would have been a source of deep mourning and outrage for the people of Jabesh-gilead, prompting them to take action.

Persons / Places / Events
1. People of Jabesh-gilead
Residents of a city in Gilead, east of the Jordan River. They had a historical connection to Saul, as he had previously rescued them from the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11).

2. Philistines
A significant enemy of Israel during the time of Saul. They defeated Saul and his sons in battle, leading to the events described in this chapter.

3. Saul
The first king of Israel, anointed by Samuel. His reign ended tragically in battle against the Philistines, as described in 1 Samuel 31.

4. Jabesh-gilead
A city that played a crucial role in the aftermath of Saul's death, showing loyalty and gratitude to Saul by retrieving and burying his body.

5. Battle of Mount Gilboa
The battle where Saul and his sons were killed, marking a significant turning point in Israel's history.
Teaching Points
Loyalty and Gratitude
The people of Jabesh-gilead demonstrate loyalty and gratitude to Saul by risking their lives to retrieve his body. This act of kindness reflects the importance of honoring those who have impacted our lives positively.

Courage in Adversity
Despite the danger posed by the Philistines, the people of Jabesh-gilead acted courageously. This teaches us to stand firm in our convictions, even when faced with significant challenges.

The Impact of Leadership
Saul's earlier actions in rescuing Jabesh-gilead had a lasting impact, reminding us that leadership can leave a legacy of loyalty and respect.

Responding to Tragedy
The response of Jabesh-gilead to Saul's death shows us how to respond to tragedy with dignity and respect, providing a model for dealing with loss in our own lives.(11) The inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead.--The memory of the splendid feat of arms of their young king Saul, when he gallantly rescued their city (1Samuel 11:1-11) years before, when they were threatened with deadly peril by the Ammonites, was still fresh in the city of Jabesh-Gilead, and they burned to rescue the body of their hero from shame. It was singular how that first deed of splendid patriotism, done in the early fervour of his consecration, bore fruit after so many long years.

"Good deeds immortal are--they cannot die;

Unscathed by envious blight, or withering frost,

They live, and bud and bloom, and men partake

Still of their freshness, and are strong thereby."

AYTOUN.

Jabesh-Gilead, a city of Manasseh, on the further side of Jordan, on the road from Pella to Gerasa. perhaps about fourteen miles from Beth-shan (see Judges 21:8, and following). Its name still survives in the Wady Yabez, running down to the east bank of Jordan, near the head of which are still visible some ruins named El Deir, which Robinson has identified with Jabesh-Gilead.

Verse 11. - Jabesh-Gilead. Eusebius describes this place as situated on the road from Pella to Gerasa, and therefore it would be much nearer the Jordan than Mahanaim, and probably was not more than twelve or fourteen miles distant from Beth-shan. The people there had not forgotten how bravely Saul had saved them, and now showed their gratitude by rescuing his remains from disgrace.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When the people
יֹשְׁבֵ֖י (yō·šə·ḇê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

of Jabesh-gilead
יָבֵ֣ישׁ (yā·ḇêš)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3003: Jabesh -- a place in Gilead, also an Israelite

heard
וַיִּשְׁמְע֣וּ (way·yiš·mə·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

what
אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

the Philistines
פְלִשְׁתִּ֖ים (p̄ə·liš·tîm)
Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 6430: Philistines -- inhabitants of Philistia

had done
עָשׂ֥וּ (‘ā·śū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

to Saul,
לְשָׁאֽוּל׃ (lə·šā·’ūl)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites


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OT History: 1 Samuel 31:11 When the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead heard (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 31:10
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