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1 Samuel 31:8–13
Now when the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, all the valiant men arose and traveled all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth Shan (vv. 11–12a).
On the day following their huge victory over the Israelites, the Philistines come to loot the bodies of the fallen Israelite soldiers. Only then do they realize the full extent of their triumph, for they find the bodies of Saul and his three sons. This raises the question: Since the Philistines did not find his body on the day of his death, did Saul resort to suicide too soon? Could he have escaped the battle and been treated for his injuries? Scripture prohibits any such speculation. On the night before the battle, God told Saul that he would the next day (28:19). His judgment was set, and he could not have avoided it.
When the Philistines find Saul’s body, they strip off his armor and cut off his head, a grisly gesture designed to emphasize the extent of their triumph. Saul’s head goes in the temple of the Philistine god Dagon (1 Chron. 10:10), his armor goes in the temple of the Ashtoreths, and his body is hung from the wall of Beth Shan, a stubbornly Canaanite city (Josh. 17:11–12; Judg. 1:27) in Israel. They also send word throughout all Philistia, that there might be national rejoicing and praising of their pagan gods. In the Philistines’ eyes, their gods have defeated Yahweh. How ignorant they are as to the real reasons for their triumph. “Thus did they ascribe the honor of their victory, not as they ought to have done to the real justice of the true God, but to the imaginary power of their false gods,” Matthew Henry writes.
Most of the people of Israel are too busy fleeing or hiding to care about the dishonors put upon Saul’s body (and presumably that of his sons, as well). But in the city of Jabesh Gilead, the news stirs the hearts of the men. No doubt they are locked down behind their city walls, fearing a Philistine attack, but the news of the Philistine mutilation of Saul’s body emboldens them. So in the night the men leave their city, cross the Jordan, and take the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth Shan. Then they return to Jabesh Gilead, burn the bodies, and bury the bones. In one of his very first acts as king, Saul saved the city of Jabesh Gilead from the Ammonites (ch. 11). Now the still-grateful city pays its respects to Israel’s fallen monarch.
As 1 Samuel closes, the survival of Israel seems to be in doubt. But God is not finished with Israel, or with the monarchy, as we will see in 2 Samuel. The sheep are scattered, but God has a shepherd for them.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
As we have studied 1 Samuel, we have seen moments of glory and sorrow, met godly and ungodly men, witnessed great unbelief and great faith. What lessons has God driven home for you through this study? Take time today to skim back over 1 Samuel, asking God to remind you of its truths and thanking Him for giving us this history.
For Further Study
- 1 Sam. 2:10; 3:19; 8:7; 15:22; 16:1; 17:47; 24:6