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1 Samuel 31:11

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 31:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard concerning him that which the Philistines had done to Saul,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard concerning him that which the Philistines had done to Saul,
1 Samuel 31:11 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 31

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen in mount Gilboa.
9And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armor, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to carry the tidings unto the house of their idols, and to the people.
10And they put his armor in the house of the Ashtaroth; and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan.
11And when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard concerning him that which the Philistines had done to Saul,
12all the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan; and they came to Jabesh, and burnt them there.
13And they took their bones, and buried them under the tamarisk-tree in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.
← 1 Samuel 31:101 Samuel 31:12 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead, etc.] Who lived on the other side Jordan, about eight miles from Bethshan, according to Fuller f579: 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 delivering them out of the hands of Nahash the Ammonite, (<091101>1 Samuel 11:1-13).”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“THE MEN OF JABESH-GILEAD RECOVER THE BODIES AND BURY THEM AT JABESH. (Sa1 31:11-13) the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard of that which the Philistines had done--Mindful of the important and timely services Saul had rendered them, they gratefully and heroically resolved not to suffer such indignities to be inflicted on the remains of the royal family.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“When the inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead heard ... - See 1 Samuel 11:1-15. This is a touching and rare example of national gratitude. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“31:11 The people of Jabesh-gilead were returning the favor Saul had done for them when he saved them from the Ammonites and their king Nahash (11:1-13). Jabesh-gilead was about twelve miles southeast of Beth-shan and across the Jordan River.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Jabeshgilead: Sa1 11:1; Sa2 2:4 of that: or, concerning him that which: etc 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 31:12”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“When the inhabitants of Jabesh in Gilead heard this, all the brave men of the town set out to Beth-shean, took down the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall, brought them to Jabesh, and burned them there. "But their bones they buried under the tamarisk at Jabesh, and fasted seven days," to mourn for the king their former deliverer (see Sa1 11:1-15). These statements are given in a very condensed form in the Chronicles ( Sa1 31:11, Sa1 31:12). Not only is the fact that "they went the whole night" omitted, as being of no essential importance to the general history; but the removal of the bodies from the town-wall is also passed over, because their being fastened there had not been…”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification