King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 21:12 Mean?

2 Samuel 21:12 in the King James Version says “And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabeshgilead , which had sto...” — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabeshgilead , which had stolen them from the street of Bethshan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa:”

2 Samuel 21:12 · KJV

Context

10

And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by day, nor the beasts of the field by night.

11

And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine of Saul, had done.

12

And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabeshgilead , which had stolen them from the street of Bethshan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa:

13

And he brought up from thence the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son; and they gathered the bones of them that were hanged.

14

And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was intreated for the land.

Read 2 Samuel 21 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh-gilead, which had stolen them from the street of Beth-shan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had slain Saul in Gilboa:

This verse contributes to the narrative of Famine and Giants, emphasizing justice, covenant obligations. The three-year famine traced to Saul's treaty violation demonstrates God's demand for covenant faithfulness and justice. The execution of Saul's descendants and Rizpah's faithful vigil over their bodies presents complex ethical questions. The Philistine giant battles demonstrate ongoing threats. Theological themes include multi-generational covenant obligations, the high cost of treaty violations, God's demand for justice, and His provision of strength for continued battles.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 21 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding justice, covenant obligations provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of justice, covenant obligations?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ1 of 30
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

דָּוִ֗ד2 of 30

“And David”

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

וַיִּקַּ֞ח3 of 30

“and took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת4 of 30
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עַצְמוֹת֙5 of 30

“and the bones”

H6106

a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame

שָׁא֖וּל6 of 30

“Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

וְאֶת7 of 30
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עַצְמוֹת֙8 of 30

“and the bones”

H6106

a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame

יְהֽוֹנָתָ֣ן9 of 30

“of Jonathan”

H3083

jehonathan, the name of four israelites

בְּנ֔וֹ10 of 30

“his son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

מֵאֵ֕ת11 of 30
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בַּֽעֲלֵ֖י12 of 30

“from the men”

H1167

a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)

יָבֵ֣ישׁ13 of 30

“of Jabeshgilead”

H3003

jobesh, the name of an israelite and of a place in palestine

גִּלְעָ֑ד14 of 30
H1568

gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites

אֲשֶׁר֩15 of 30
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

גָּֽנְב֨וּ16 of 30

“which had stolen”

H1589

to thieve (literally or figuratively); by implication, to deceive

אֹתָ֜ם17 of 30
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מֵֽרְחֹ֣ב18 of 30

“them from the street”

H7339

a width, i.e., (concretely) avenue or area

בֵּֽית19 of 30
H0
שַׁ֗ן20 of 30

“of Bethshan”

H1052

beth-shean or beth-shan, a place in palestine

אֲשֶׁ֨ר21 of 30
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

תְּלָוּ֥ם22 of 30

“had hanged”

H8511

to suspend; figuratively (through hesitation) to be uncertain; by implication (of mental dependence) to habituate

שָׁ֙םָּ֙23 of 30
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

פְּלִשְׁתִּ֛ים24 of 30

“the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

בְּי֨וֹם25 of 30

“them when”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַכּ֧וֹת26 of 30

“had slain”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

פְּלִשְׁתִּ֛ים27 of 30

“the Philistines”

H6430

a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth

אֶת28 of 30
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שָׁא֖וּל29 of 30

“Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

בַּגִּלְבֹּֽעַ׃30 of 30

“in Gilboa”

H1533

gilboa, a mountain of palestine

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 21:12 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 2 Samuel 21:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 31:10-13Joshua 17:112 Samuel 1:211 Samuel 31:11 Samuel 28:41 Chronicles 10:1

Places in This Verse

Beth-shanSettlement · Modern: Tel Bet Shean · 32.50°N, 35.50°E8 verses across 6 books
Jabesh-gileadSettlement · Modern: Tell el Maqlub · 32.40°N, 35.68°E20 verses across 4 books
Mount GilboaMountain · Modern: Mount Gilboa · 32.43°N, 35.41°E8 verses across 3 books
View all places in 2 Samuel 21 →

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