1 Samuel 31:12 Meaning and Explanation
“All the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Bethshan, and came to Jabesh, and burnt them there.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The brave men of Jabesh travel all night, recover the bodies of Saul and his sons from Bethshan, bring them home, and burn them there.
What Does 1 Samuel 31:12 Mean?
Gratitude becomes daring. The valiant men of Jabesh-gilead rise and march through the night, take down the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Bethshan, and carry them home to Jabesh. There they burn the bodies, sparing the king and his sons further exposure and shame.
Their courage repays an old debt with honor. They risk the journey into enemy reach to rescue the dishonored dead, refusing to let the LORD's anointed remain a spectacle. The word valiant marks them as men of strength turned to a tender duty. Their deed shines as a picture of covenant faithfulness, of love that braves the night for the sake of the fallen, an echo, however distant, of the greater love that would seek the lost at every cost.
1 Samuel 31:12 in the Original Language
chayil (חַיִל), 'valiant' -- strength or might, here courage turned to a faithful task.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 31:12
What does 1 Samuel 31:12 mean?
The brave men of Jabesh travel all night, recover the bodies of Saul and his sons from Bethshan, bring them home, and burn them there.