King James Version
What Does 1 Chronicles 10:12 Mean?
“They arose, all the valiant men, and took away the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.”
Context
10
And they put his armour in the house of their gods, and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon.
11
And when all Jabeshgilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul,
12
They arose, all the valiant men, and took away the body of Saul, and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh, and buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.
13
So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; committed: Heb. transgressed
14
And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse. Jesse: Heb. Isai
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(12) **All the valiant men.**—Literally, *every man of valour.* Samuel adds, “and marched all the night.”
**Took away.**—*Carried off.* Samuel has “took,” (*ceperunt*)*.*
**The body.**—A common Aramaic word, *gûfāh,* only read here in the Old Testament, for which Samuel has the pure Hebrew synonym *a’wîyah.* Samuel adds, “from the wall of Beth-shan.”
**And brought them.**—Samuel, “and came to Jabesh, and burnt them there.” To burn a corpse was a further degradation of executed criminals (Joshua 7:25; Leviticus 20:14; Leviticus 21:9), and as the Jews did not ordinarily practise cremation, it is supposed that the phrase “burnt them,” in 1 Samuel 31 means “made a burning for them” of costly spices, as was done at the funerals of kings (Jeremiah 34:5; 2Chronicles 16:14; 2Chronicles 21:19). But perhaps the bodies were burnt in this exceptional case because they had been mutilated by the enemy.
**Buried their bones.**—Samuel, “took and buried.” The phrase “their bones,” contrasted with their “corpses,” certainly seems to imply that the latter had been burnt.
**The oak.**—Heb., *terebinth,* or *turpentine tree.* Samuel, “tamarisk.” The difference points to another source used by Chronicles.
**And fasted seven days.**—In token of mourning. (Comp. the friends of Job, Job 2:11-13; and Ezekiel among the exiles at Tel-abib, Ezekiel 3:15.) For the behaviour of the men of Jabesh, comp. 1 Samuel 11
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of 1 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
1 Chronicles 10:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to 1 Chronicles 10:12
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge