1 Samuel 31:12

_ALL THE VALIANT MEN AROSE, AND WENT ALL NIGHT, AND TOOK THE BODY OF SAUL AND THE BODIES OF HIS SONS FROM THE WALL OF BETHSHAN, AND CAME TO JABESH, AND BURNT THEM THERE._ And went all night. Considering that Beth-shan is about three hours' distance, and by a narrow upland passage, to the west of the Jordan, the whole being a journey of about 12 miles, they must have made all expedition to travel there, to carry off the headless bodies, and return to their own side of the Jordan in the course of a single night. But loyal and devoted hearts prompted them to brave all danger; and having surprised the guard at Beth-shan, they succeeded in effecting their generous purpose. BURNT THEM. This was not a Hebrew custom. It was probably resorted to on this occasion to prevent all risk of the Beth-shanites coming to disinter the royal remains for further insult....

8-13 The Scripture makes no mention what became of the souls of Saul and his sons, after they were dead; but of their bodies only: secret things belong not to us. It is of little consequence by what means we die, or what is done with our dead bodies. If our souls are saved, our bodies will be raised incorruptible and glorious; but not to fear His wrath, who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell, is the extreme of folly and wickedness. How useless is the respect of fellow-creatures to those who are suffering the wrath of God! While pompous funerals, grand monuments, and he praises of men, honour the memory of the deceased, the soul may be suffering in the regions of darkness and despair! Let us seek that honour which cometh from God only....

Verse 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_, c. 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 _putrid_ to bear it. They therefore _burnt_ them, because there was no other way of disposing of them at that time so as to do them honour; and the _bones_ and _ashes_ they collected, and _buried under a tree_ or in a _grove at Jabesh_....

BURNT THEM - Burning was not the usual mode of sepulture among the Hebrews. But in this case from a pious desire to disguise the mutilation of the headless corpses, and exempt them from any possible future insult, the men of Jabesh burned the bodies, yet so as to preserve the bones 1Sa 31:13; 2 Samuel 21:12....

DEFEAT AND DEATH OF SAUL (1 Samuel 31:1.). EXPOSITION SAUL AND HIS SONS SLAIN (1 Samuel 31:1). 1 SAMUEL 31:1, 1 SAMUEL 31:2 THE PHILISTINES FOUGHT. Literally it is a participle present, "the Philistines are warring," as if it were a mere resumption of 1 Samuel 28:1. In the battle fou

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 bones they buried, as in 1 Samuel 31:13; and this they did, contrary to the common usage of the country, which was not to burn; but this they did, that if the Philistines should come to recover them, they would not be able to do it: though the Targum is, "they burnt over them, as they burn over their kings there;'' they made a burning fo

BURNT Contrast (2 Chronicles 16:14)....

9. THE DEATH OF SAUL CHAPTER 31 _ 1. Saul wounded in battle (1 Samuel 31:1)_ 2. Saul a suicide (1 Samuel 31:4) 3. The victorious Philistines (1 Samuel 31:7) 4. The bodies recovered and burnt (1 Samuel 31:11) A sad ending to one of the saddest stories of the Bible. Jonathan, Abinadab and Melchi-shua, Saul's sons, fall first. Then Saul is wounded. He asks his armour bearer to make an end of his sufferings. There is no evidence whatever of his repentance and turning unto the Lord. He died as he had lived in rebellion against Jehovah. The armour-bearer refused to kill Saul; then he fell

1 SAMUEL 31. BATTLE OF GILBOA._ Cf._ p. 285, and 2 Samuel 1:6 *. 1 SAMUEL 31:1. Israel was routed, Saul's sons slain, and he himself in danger of being taken prisoner. To avoid this he fell upon his own sword. 3. HE WAS GREATLY DISTRESSED: perhaps read, with LXX, he was wounded by the archers. 1 Samuel 31:4. and thrust me through (_second occurrence) :_ omit with 1 Chronicles 10:4. What Saul fears is not mutilation after death, but being taken alive, and, like Samson, being made to provide sport for the Philistines....

MEN. Hebrew. _'ish._ App-14....