1 Samuel 31:13
And they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּקְחוּ֙
And they took
H3947
וַיִּקְחוּ֙
And they took
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
1 of 10
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 10
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַצְמֹ֣תֵיהֶ֔ם
their bones
H6106
עַצְמֹ֣תֵיהֶ֔ם
their bones
Strong's:
H6106
Word #:
3 of 10
a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame
תַֽחַת
H8478
תַֽחַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
5 of 10
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
הָאֶ֖שֶׁל
them under a tree
H815
הָאֶ֖שֶׁל
them under a tree
Strong's:
H815
Word #:
6 of 10
a tamarisk tree; by extension, a grove of any kind
בְּיָבֵ֑שָׁה
at Jabesh
H3003
בְּיָבֵ֑שָׁה
at Jabesh
Strong's:
H3003
Word #:
7 of 10
jobesh, the name of an israelite and of a place in palestine
Cross References
Genesis 50:10And they came to the threshingfloor of Atad, which is beyond Jordan, and there they mourned with a great and very sore lamentation: and he made a mourning for his father seven days.1 Samuel 22:6When Saul heard that David was discovered, and the men that were with him, (now Saul abode in Gibeah under a tree in Ramah, having his spear in his hand, and all his servants were standing about him;)
Historical Context
The seven-day fast was standard mourning practice for significant deaths (Genesis 50:10). Later, David would also mourn Saul and Jonathan (2 Samuel 1), honoring them despite their complicated history. David would eventually move Saul's bones to his ancestral burial site.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you honor the memory of those whose lives were marked by both good and failure?
- What does genuine mourning for fallen leaders look like in your context?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The final verse provides dignified conclusion: proper burial 'under a tree at Jabesh' and seven-day fast. The Hebrew 'eshel' (tamarisk tree) marked the grave site, creating a memorial. The week of fasting demonstrates genuine mourning, not merely formal observance. Despite Saul's failures, these men honored his memory. First Samuel ends not with David's triumph but with honorable men mourning Israel's fallen king. Grace extends even to those who failed.