1 Samuel 31 Chapter Introduction

Structure and Formatting

This chapter continues the part of the book that describes how David became king (chapters 16–31). The details of how he ultimately became king are related in the book of 2 Samuel. But this chapter is the end of the part of that story that involves Saul. It describes how Saul and his sons were killed in battle with the Philistines.

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Why did the men of Jabesh Gilead get Saul’s body from Beth Shan?

After the Philistines killed Saul and his sons on Mount Gilboa, the Israelites who lived in that area fled across the Jordan River for safety. The Philistines occupied their cities and towns all the way to Beth Shan, a few miles from the Jordan. They hung the bodies of Saul and his sons on the wall of Beth Shan as a way of celebrating their victory, claiming that territory, and warning the Israelites against any further opposition. However, they were also disgracing and dishonoring Saul’s body by not burying it. The people of Jabesh Gilead were still grateful to Saul for rescuing them years before from the Ammonite king Nahash (11:1–11). To honor him, their soldiers marched all night to Beth Shan and, at great risk to themselves from the Philistines, took down his body and the bodies of his sons and brought them back to Jabesh Gilead for a proper and honorable burial.