1Sa 31:11-13 | TNotes | STEP | 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.

b11:1-13►

e2 Sam 21:12-14►

‏ 1 Samuel 31:11-13

31:11 ^a 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 ^b). Jabesh-gilead was about twelve miles southeast of Beth-shan and across the Jordan River.
31:12 ^c burned the bodies: Cremation was rare. It is possible the bodies were burned because decomposition had already set in.
31:13 ^d bones ... Jabesh: This was not the final resting place of Saul’s remains (see 2 Sam 21:12-14 ^e).

• The ending of 1 Samuel brings Israel’s history back to the situation at the end of Judges, when “Israel had no king.” Once again, the Philistines were in control. David had God’s anointing but no crown. He had wives but no sons. His affiliation with the hated Philistines might jeopardize his standing among his own people. David’s future path would be challenging, but God was clearly with him.