1 Samuel 31:10-12

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 31:8-13

The scripture makes no mention of the souls of Saul and his sons, what became of them after they were dead (secret things belong not to us), but of their bodies only. I. How they were basely abused by the Philistines. The day after the battle, when they had recovered their fatigue, they came to strip the slain, and, among the rest, found the bodies of Saul and his three sons, 1 Sam. 31:8. Saul's armour-bearer perhaps intended to honour his master by following the example of his self-murder,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 31:10

And they put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth ,.... A temple dedicated to their deities, called by this name; of which See Gill on Judges 2:13 ; Nothing was more common with the Gentiles than to place in their temples the arms they took from their enemies, as is strongly expressed by Homer F9 τευχεα συλησας , Iliad. 7. ver. 83. and Virgil F11 "Multaque praeterea sacris in postibus arma", &c.; Aeneid. 7. ver. 183. So Persius, Satyr. 6. ver. 45. ; and indeed the Jews... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 31:11

And the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead ,.... Who lived on the other side Jordan, about eight miles from Bethshan, according to Fuller F16 Pisgah-Sight of Palestine, b. 2. ch. 2. p. 82. : heard of that which the Philistines had done to Saul ; not only that they had got the victory over him, and routed his army, but had abused his body, and hung it up by way of reproach and ignominy; which they could not bear to hear of, remembering with gratitude the kindness he had shown to them, in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 31:12

All the valiant men arose ,.... Of the city of Jabeshgilead, fired with indignation at the Philistines' ill usage of Saul and the bodies of his sons: and went all night ; not only for secrecy, but for haste: and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Bethshan, and came to Jabesh ; brought them with them thither, the Philistines either having no knowledge of it, or not daring to oppose them: and burnt them there : that is, the flesh of them, for the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 31:10

They put his armor in the house of Ashtaroth - As David had done in placing the sword of Goliath in the tabernacle. We have already seen that it was common for the conquerors to consecrate armor and spoils taken in war, to those who were the objects of religious worship. They fastened his body to the wall - Probably by means of iron hooks; but it is said, 2 Samuel 21:12 , that these bodies were fastened in the Street of Beth-shan. This may mean that the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 31:11

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 1 Samuel 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. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 31:12

And burnt them there - It has been denied that the Hebrews burnt the bodies of the dead, but that they buried them in the earth, or embalmed them, and often burnt spices around them, etc. These no doubt were the common forms of sepulture, but neither of these could be conveniently practiced in the present case. They could not have buried them about Beth-shan without being discovered; and as to embalming, that was most likely out of all question, as doubtless the bodies were now too... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 31:7-13

The final issues of life a criterion of worth. The facts are— 1 . The defeat of Saul is followed by the general flight of the men of Israel from the neigbbouring cities, and the occupation of these by the Philistines. 2 . The bodies of Saul and of his sons being found, the Philistines strip the king's of his armour, publish the fact in the houses of idols, and dishonour him on the wall of Beth-shan. 3 . The men of Jabesh-Gilead, hearing of this, rescue the bodies and bury them... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 31:9-10

They cut off his head. This was probably done not simply in retaliation for what had happened to their champion Goliath, but in accordance with the customs of ancient warfare. The fierce joy of the Philistines over the fallen Saul proves how great had been their fear of him, and how successful he had been in breaking their yoke off Israel's neck. Had he still had David with him the victory would assuredly have remained on his side. They put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth. Hebrew, "of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 31:11

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. read more

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