And they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh and fasted seven days.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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1 Samuel 31:13
What does 1 Samuel 31:13 mean?
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1 Samuel 31:13
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The people's act of fasting for seven days after burying their fallen heroes wasn't just a mourning ritual; it was a powerful declaration of solidarity and a commitment to honoring those who died fighting for their people. This prolonged period of fasting underscores the deep respect and communal grief they felt, refusing to let their heroes' sacrifice go unnoticed.
And they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh and fasted seven days.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This somber act concludes the tragic battle where King Saul and his sons are killed by the Philistines. After the enemy desecrates the bodies of Saul and his sons, courageous men from Jabesh-Gilead sneak across the Jordan River to retrieve them, a dangerous mission in occupied territory. Their respectful burial and seven-day fast show deep honor for the fallen king, even after his failures, and set the stage for David's eventual rise to the throne.
Even in defeat, the people of Israel showed profound respect. What does this act teach us about loyalty?
Despite the devastating loss of King Saul and his sons in battle, the people of Jabesh-Gilead didn't leave their leaders disgraced.
A Debt of Gratitude
Earlier in Saul's reign, he had rescued Jabesh-Gilead from the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11). This act of deliverance created a deep bond. Now, even though Saul's reign ended in defeat and his body was desecrated by the Philistines, the people of Jabesh-Gilead risked their own safety to retrieve his and his sons' remains.
The Significance of Burial
In ancient cultures, proper burial was incredibly important. It wasn't just about disposal; it was about honoring the dead, showing respect to their memory, and ensuring their spirit could rest. By giving Saul and his sons a proper burial, the people of Jabesh-Gilead affirmed their loyalty and acknowledged Saul's past service, even in his failure.
A week of fasting speaks volumes about the grief and the weight of this moment. What does it reveal about their national sorrow?
The mourning period prescribed here wasn't just a brief moment of sadness; it was an extended, solemn expression of grief and repentance.
A Nation in Mourning
Fasting, in the biblical context, is often associated with deep sorrow, repentance, and a turning towards God in humility. The fact that they fasted for seven days indicates the profound shock and grief Israel felt over the death of their king and the immense loss suffered in battle. This wasn't just a political defeat; it was a spiritual and national crisis.
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Repentance and Reorientation
Saul's reign had been marked by disobedience and ultimately ended in his seeking guidance from a medium, a grave sin. The extended fast could also signify a national recognition of their collective straying from God and a plea for His mercy as they faced a future without a divinely appointed king.
Understand the original words
etsem · Hebrew Noun
A term referring to the structural remains of a person after death, frequently used in the Bible to represent the person's memory or the ultimate residue of their earthly existence. Protecting or burying bones was a significant act of piety and respect.
qabar · Hebrew Verb
The act of interring a deceased person in the ground, reflecting the biblical principle that humans were formed from the dust and return to it. Proper burial was considered essential for dignity and was a mark of respect for the deceased's life.
tsum · Hebrew Verb
A religious discipline involving the voluntary abstinence from food, often accompanied by prayer or mourning. In the Bible, it signifies deep distress, repentance, or a state of seeking God’s presence and comfort during times of national or personal crisis.
This event highlights the deep loyalty and courage of the people of Jabesh Gilead, who risked their lives to give King Saul and his sons a proper burial, demonstrating a profound respect for the dead and a defiance against the Philistines' desecration.
c. 1050 BC
Saul Anointed King
Samuel anoints Saul as the first king of Israel, marking a significant shift in Israel's governance and national identity.
c. 1010 BC
David's Rise to Prominence
David gains popularity and influence through military victories and his relationship with Jonathan, Saul's son.
c. 1010-1005 BC
Saul's Persecution of David
King Saul, feeling threatened by David's popularity, relentlessly pursues him, leading to periods of hiding and conflict.
c. 1010 BC
Battle of Mount Gilboa
The Philistines decisively defeat the Israelite army, and Saul's three sons, including Jonathan, are killed in battle.
c. 1010 BC— this verse
Saul's Death
Saul takes his own life on the battlefield rather than be captured by the Philistines.
c. 1010 BC
Philistines Display Bodies
The victorious Philistines desecrate the bodies of Saul and his sons by displaying them on the wall of Beth Shan.
c. 1010 BC
Brave Rescue and Burial
Men from Jabesh Gilead bravely retrieve the bodies of Saul and his sons, bury them, and fast for seven days in mourning.
This passage describes how David retrieved the bones of Saul and his sons, along with those of the men of Gibeah who had been executed, and gave them proper burial. It highlights the importance of honoring the dead and their resting places, even after a tragic end.
Jeremiah 8:1-3The prophet Jeremiah laments the desecration of graves and the exposure of bones to the elements, which he sees as a sign of God's judgment. This contrasts with the intentional burial and seven-day fast in 1 Samuel 31, showing a different response to death and honoring the deceased.
Matthew 27:57-60This passage recounts how Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man, asked for Jesus' body and laid it in his own new tomb, after wrapping it in clean linen. It parallels the act of providing a respectful burial for a fallen leader.
Genesis 50:25-26Joseph, before he dies in Egypt, makes the Israelites swear that they will carry his bones out of Egypt when God brings them to the Promised Land. This shows the deep significance placed on the final resting place and the bones of important figures.
The people's act of fasting for seven days after burying their fallen heroes wasn't just a mourning ritual; it was a powerful declaration of solidarity and a commitment to honoring those who died fighting for their people. This prolonged period of fasting underscores the deep respect and communal grief they felt, refusing to let their heroes' sacrifice go unnoticed.
This somber act concludes the tragic battle where King Saul and his sons are killed by the Philistines. After the enemy desecrates the bodies of Saul and his sons, courageous men from Jabesh-Gilead sneak across the Jordan River to retrieve them, a dangerous mission in occupied territory. Their respectful burial and seven-day fast show deep honor for the fallen king, even after his failures, and set the stage for David's eventual rise to the throne.
This somber act concludes the tragic battle where King Saul and his sons are killed by the Philistines. After the enemy desecrates the bodies of Saul and his sons, courageous men from Jabesh-Gilead sneak across the Jordan River to retrieve them, a dangerous mission in occupied territory. Their respectful burial and seven-day fast show deep honor for the fallen king, even after his failures, and set the stage for David's eventual rise to the throne.
"And they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh and fasted seven days." — The people's act of fasting for seven days after burying their fallen heroes wasn't just a mourning ritual; it was a powerful declaration of solidarity and a commitment to honoring those who died fig…
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Last reviewed October 2026