Topical Bible: David: King of Israel: Death and Burial of Saul and his Sons

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The death of King Saul and his sons marks a pivotal moment in the history of Israel and the life of David, who would soon ascend to the throne. This event is recorded in the biblical narrative, primarily in 1 Samuel 31 and 2 Samuel 1, and it sets the stage for David's eventual kingship over Israel.

The Battle of Mount Gilboa

The Philistines, long-standing enemies of Israel, engaged Saul and his army in battle on Mount Gilboa. The Israelites were decisively defeated, and the Philistines pursued Saul and his sons. In the ensuing chaos, Saul's sons, Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua, were killed (1 Samuel 31:2). The loss of Jonathan, in particular, was significant for David, as Jonathan was not only Saul's son but also David's closest friend and covenant brother.

Saul's Death

As the battle raged, Saul was critically wounded by the Philistine archers. Facing imminent capture and humiliation, Saul chose to take his own life. He fell on his sword, and his armor-bearer, seeing that Saul was dead, also took his own life (1 Samuel 31:4-5). This tragic end marked the conclusion of Saul's troubled reign over Israel.

The Aftermath and Burial

Following the battle, the Philistines found the bodies of Saul and his sons. They beheaded Saul and stripped him of his armor, sending these as trophies throughout the land of the Philistines to proclaim their victory (1 Samuel 31:8-9). Saul's armor was placed in the temple of the Ashtoreths, and his body was fastened to the wall of Beth-shan (1 Samuel 31:10).

The men of Jabesh-gilead, in an act of loyalty and gratitude for Saul's earlier deliverance of their city, retrieved the bodies of Saul and his sons. They took them to Jabesh, burned them, and buried their bones under a tamarisk tree, fasting for seven days in mourning (1 Samuel 31:11-13).

David's Response

Upon hearing the news of Saul and Jonathan's deaths, David was deeply grieved. A young Amalekite, who claimed to have killed Saul at Saul's own request, brought the news to David, expecting a reward. Instead, David ordered the young man's execution for striking down the Lord's anointed (2 Samuel 1:14-16).

David's lamentation over Saul and Jonathan is recorded in 2 Samuel 1:17-27. This elegy, known as "The Song of the Bow," expresses David's profound sorrow and respect for Saul and his deep love for Jonathan. David's lament highlights the tragedy of their deaths and the loss felt by the nation of Israel.

The death of Saul and his sons paved the way for David's rise to kingship, fulfilling the divine anointing he received years earlier. Despite Saul's relentless pursuit and attempts on his life, David's response to Saul's death was marked by respect and mourning, reflecting his character and reverence for God's anointed king.

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1 Samuel 31:1
Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa.
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2 Samuel 21:1-14
Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.
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Library

How David, when He had Recovered his Kingdom, was Reconciled to ...
... his son with him, and worshipped the king, and wished ... own mind, and then returned
home; but David came to ... having about him half the people [of Israel], and the ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how david when.htm

The First Kings.
... Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, was made king over Judah ... became sovereign of the ten
tribes, who were called Israel. ... was buried in the city of David." The same ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... King Of Syria And Pekah King Of Israel, Made War ... How, Upon Herod's Going Down Into
David's Sepulcher, The ... And Bound Him; Whom Yet Archelaus King Of Cappadocia ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

The Israelites
... The Philistines became undisputed masters of Israel west of the Jordan, while their
tributary vassal, David, was proclaimed King of Judah at Hebron. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

How the Bishop is to Treat the Innocent, the Guilty, and the ...
... the Lord, of which the Lord spake to David and to ... him the captains of the host of
the king of Assyria ... Manasseh spake to Judah to serve the Lord God of Israel. ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii how the bishop is.htm

Questions.
... What partial reformation took place in Israel? ... What prophecy was fulfilled by Judea
having an Edomite king? ... How had David declared the wisdom He showed in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm

The Assumption of Moses
... whose standpoint was that no mortal man ought to rule Israel, be he priest or king,
of the line of Aaron or of David,"that Jehovah alone is King. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the assumption of moses.htm

Acts XIII
... and the reign of their most glorious king, and catching up the promise made to David,
on which their ... in the appearance of Jesus as a Savior to Israel. ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xiii.htm

Psalm LXXIII.
... not yet our King Son of God, but king David son of ... the Synagogue, after the failing
of the hymns of David, the son ... saith, "How good is the God of Israel to men ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxiii.htm

The Memorable Hymn. "And when they had Sung an Hymn, they Went Out ...
... But, beloved, if I have said that Israel could so ... wine is the fresh life-blood of
our immortal King. ... "Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/the memorable hymn and when.htm