2 Samuel 21:14 And they buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in Zela in the land of Benjamin, in the tomb of Saul's father Kish. After they had done everything the king had commanded, God answered their prayers for the land.

Bible > 2 Samuel > Chapter 21 > Verse 14

◄ 2 Samuel 21:14 ►

New International Version
They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land.

New Living Translation
Then the king ordered that they bury the bones in the tomb of Kish, Saul’s father, at the town of Zela in the land of Benjamin. After that, God ended the famine in the land.

English Standard Version
And they buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the land of Benjamin in Zela, in the tomb of Kish his father. And they did all that the king commanded. And after that God responded to the plea for the land.

Berean Standard Bible
And they buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in Zela in the land of Benjamin, in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish. After they had done everything the king had commanded, God answered their prayers for the land.

King James Bible
And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was intreated for the land.

New King James Version
They buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the tomb of Kish his father. So they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God heeded the prayer for the land.

New American Standard Bible
Then they buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the country of Benjamin in Zela, in the grave of his father Kish; So they did everything that the king commanded, and after that God responded to prayer for the land.

NASB 1995
They buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin in Zela, in the grave of Kish his father; thus they did all that the king commanded, and after that God was moved by prayer for the land.

NASB 1977
And they buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin in Zela, in the grave of Kish his father; thus they did all that the king commanded, and after that God was moved by entreaty for the land.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then they buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the land of Benjamin in Zela, in the grave of Kish his father; thus they did all that the king commanded, and afterwards God was moved by the entreaty for the land.

Amplified Bible
They buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin in Zela, in the tomb of Kish his father; and they did all that the king commanded. After that, God was moved by prayer for the land.

Christian Standard Bible
and buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan at Zela in the land of Benjamin in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish. They did everything the king commanded. After this, God was receptive to prayer for the land.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan at Zela in the land of Benjamin in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish. They did everything the king commanded. After this, God answered prayer for the land.

American Standard Version
And they buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin in Zela, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was entreated for the land.

English Revised Version
And they buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin in Zela, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was entreated for the land.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then they buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the land of Benjamin, in Zela, in the tomb of Saul's father Kish. They did everything the king ordered. After that, God answered the prayers for the land.

Good News Translation
Then they buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan in the grave of Saul's father Kish, in Zela in the territory of Benjamin, doing all that the king had commanded. And after that, God answered their prayers for the country.

International Standard Version
and they buried Saul's bones and his son Jonathan's bones in the territory of Benjamin in Zela, in the tomb of Saul's father Kish. After they had done everything that the king commanded, God responded to prayers for the land.

Majority Standard Bible
And they buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in Zela in the land of Benjamin, in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish. After they had done everything the king had commanded, God answered their prayers for the land.

NET Bible
They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the land of Benjamin at Zela in the grave of his father Kish. After they had done everything that the king had commanded, God responded to their prayers for the land.

New Heart English Bible
And he buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan in the land of Benjamin in Zela, in the tomb of Kish his father. And they performed all that the king commanded. After that God responded to prayers for the land.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son they buried in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulcher of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was entreated for the land.

World English Bible
They buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin in Zela, in the tomb of Kish his father; and they performed all that the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer for the land.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and bury the bones of Saul and of his son Jonathan in the land of Benjamin, in Zelah, in the burying-place of his father Kish, and do all that the king commanded, and God accepts the plea for the land afterward.

Young's Literal Translation
and bury the bones of Saul and of Jonathan his son in the land of Benjamin, in Zelah, in the burying-place of Kish his father, and do all that the king commanded, and God is entreated for the land afterwards.

Smith's Literal Translation
And they will bury the bones of Saul, and Jonathan his son, in the land of Benjamin in Zelzah in the grave of Kish his father: and they will do all which the king commanded. And God will hear for the land after this.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And they buried them with the bones of Saul, and of Jonathan his son in the land of Benjamin, in the side, in the sepulchre of Cis his father: and they did all that the king had commanded, and God shewed mercy again to the land after these things.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And they buried them with the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan, in the land of Benjamin, to the side of the sepulcher of his father Kish. And they did all that the king had instructed. And after these things, God showed favor again to the land.

New American Bible
Then the bones of Saul and of his son Jonathan were buried in the land of Benjamin, at Zela, in the tomb of his father Kish. After all that the king commanded had been carried out, God granted relief to the land.

New Revised Standard Version
They buried the bones of Saul and of his son Jonathan in the land of Benjamin in Zela, in the tomb of his father Kish; they did all that the king commanded. After that, God heeded supplications for the land.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And they buried the bones of Saul and of Jonathan his son in the land of Benjamin in Zelzah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father; and they did all that the king commanded. And after that God was reconciled toward the land.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And they buried the bones of Shaul and of Yonathan in the land of Benyamin in Tsaltsakh, in the grave of Qish his father, and they did everything that the King commanded, and God was reconciled to the land after that

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And they buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin in Zela, in the sepulchre of Kish his father; and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was entreated for the land.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And they buried the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son, and the bones of them that had been hanged, in the land of Benjamin in the hill, in the sepulchre of Cis his father; and they did all things that the king commanded: and after this God hearkened to the prayers of the land.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

David Avenges the Gibeonites
…13So David had the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan brought from there, along with the bones of those who had been hanged. 14And they buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in Zela in the land of Benjamin, in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish. After they had done everything the king had commanded, God answered their prayers for the land.

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

1 Samuel 31:12-13
all their men of valor set out, journeyed all night, and retrieved the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth-shan. When they arrived at Jabesh, they burned the bodies there. / Then they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.

1 Chronicles 10:12-14
all their men of valor set out and retrieved the bodies of Saul and his sons and brought them to Jabesh. And they buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh and fasted seven days. / So Saul died for his unfaithfulness to the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, / and he failed to inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

2 Samuel 2:4-5
Then the men of Judah came to Hebron, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, “It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul.” / So David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead to tell them, “The LORD bless you, because you showed this kindness to Saul your lord when you buried him.

2 Samuel 3:32-34
When they buried Abner in Hebron, the king wept aloud at Abner’s tomb, and all the people wept. / And the king sang this lament for Abner: “Should Abner die the death of a fool? / Your hands were not bound, your feet were not fettered. As a man falls before the wicked, so also you fell.” And all the people wept over him even more.

2 Samuel 9:1
Then David asked, “Is there anyone left from the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for the sake of Jonathan?”

2 Samuel 19:24-30
Then Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, went down to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king had left until the day he returned safely. / And he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, who asked him, “Mephibosheth, why did you not go with me?” / “My lord the king,” he replied, “because I am lame, I said, ‘I will have my donkey saddled so that I may ride on it and go with the king.’ But my servant Ziba deceived me, ...

1 Kings 2:7
But show loving devotion to the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, and let them be among those who eat at your table, because they stood by me when I fled from your brother Absalom.

1 Kings 2:31-33
And the king replied, “Do just as he says. Strike him down and bury him, and so remove from me and from the house of my father the innocent blood that Joab shed. / The LORD will bring his bloodshed back upon his own head, for without the knowledge of my father David he struck down two men more righteous and better than he when he put to the sword Abner son of Ner, commander of Israel’s army, and Amasa son of Jether, commander of Judah’s army. / Their blood will come back upon the heads of Joab and his descendants forever; but for David, his descendants, his house, and his throne, there shall be peace from the LORD forever.”

1 Kings 2:36-46
Then the king summoned Shimei and said to him, “Build a house for yourself in Jerusalem and live there, but do not go anywhere else. / On the day you go out and cross the Kidron Valley, know for sure that you will die; your blood will be on your own head.” / “The sentence is fair,” Shimei replied. “Your servant will do as my lord the king has spoken.” And Shimei lived in Jerusalem for a long time. ...

Genesis 23:19
After this, Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave of the field at Machpelah near Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan.

Genesis 25:9-10
His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah near Mamre, in the field of Ephron son of Zohar the Hittite. / This was the field that Abraham had bought from the Hittites. Abraham was buried there with his wife Sarah.

Genesis 50:13
They carried him to the land of Canaan and buried him in the cave at Machpelah in the field near Mamre, which Abraham had purchased from Ephron the Hittite as a burial site.

Joshua 24:32
And the bones of Joseph, which the Israelites had brought up out of Egypt, were buried at Shechem in the plot of land that Jacob had purchased from the sons of Hamor, Shechem’s father, for a hundred pieces of silver. So it became an inheritance for Joseph’s descendants.

Judges 8:32
Later, Gideon son of Joash died at a ripe old age and was buried in the tomb of his father Joash in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Treasury of Scripture

And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulcher of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was entreated for the land.

buried

2 Samuel 3:32
And they buried Abner in Hebron: and the king lifted up his voice, and wept at the grave of Abner; and all the people wept.

2 Samuel 4:12
And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried it in the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.

Zelah

Joshua 18:28
And Zelah, Eleph, and Jebusi, which is Jerusalem, Gibeath, and Kirjath; fourteen cities with their villages. This is the inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families.

1 Samuel 10:2
When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel's sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son?

Zelzah

2 Samuel 24:25
And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.

Exodus 32:27-29
And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour…

Numbers 25:13
And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.

Jump to Previous

Benjamin Bones Buried Commanded Country Ear Entreated Grave Heeded Intreated Jonathan Kish Moved Orders Performed Prayer Resting-Place Saul Saul's Sepulcher Sepulchre Supplications Tomb Zela Zelah

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Benjamin Bones Buried Commanded Country Ear Entreated Grave Heeded Intreated Jonathan Kish Moved Orders Performed Prayer Resting-Place Saul Saul's Sepulcher Sepulchre Supplications Tomb Zela Zelah

2 Samuel 21

1. The three year Gibeonite famine ceases, by hanging seven of Saul's sons.
10. Rizpah's kindness unto the dead
12. David buries the bones of Saul and Jonathan in his father's tomb
15. Four battles against the Philistines, wherein four men of David slay four giants.

Berean Study Bible

They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan
This phrase marks a significant moment of closure and respect for Saul and Jonathan, who were once prominent figures in Israel's history. The act of burial is deeply rooted in Hebrew tradition, signifying honor and the finality of life. In ancient Israel, proper burial was essential for maintaining family honor and ensuring peace for the deceased's soul. The bones, representing the remains of Saul and Jonathan, symbolize the end of a tumultuous era and the beginning of reconciliation and healing for the nation.

in the land of Benjamin
The land of Benjamin holds historical and tribal significance, as it was the territory allotted to the tribe of Benjamin, to which Saul belonged. This location underscores the importance of tribal identity and heritage in ancient Israel. The burial in their ancestral land reflects a return to their roots and a restoration of dignity to Saul's lineage, despite his tragic end.

in Zela
Zela, a town within the territory of Benjamin, is mentioned here as the specific burial site. The choice of Zela may have been due to its proximity to the family's ancestral lands or its significance as a place of familial heritage. Archaeological evidence suggests that such towns often had family tombs, which were used for generations, emphasizing the continuity of family lines and the importance of maintaining connections to one's ancestors.

in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish
The mention of Kish's tomb highlights the importance of family lineage and the respect for one's forebears in Hebrew culture. Kish, Saul's father, was a man of standing within the tribe of Benjamin, and his tomb would have been a place of honor. By burying Saul and Jonathan here, the narrative restores a sense of familial honor and continuity, despite the political and personal failures that marked Saul's reign.

After they had done everything the king commanded
This phrase indicates obedience and the fulfillment of royal authority. The king, likely David in this context, represents God's anointed leader, and his commands are seen as divinely sanctioned. The completion of these commands signifies a restoration of order and justice, aligning with the biblical theme of obedience to God's chosen leaders as a pathway to blessing and peace.

God answered their prayers for the land
The conclusion of this verse highlights the divine response to human actions. The prayers for the land likely refer to petitions for relief from a famine or other calamity, which, according to earlier verses, was attributed to Saul's actions against the Gibeonites. The burial of Saul and Jonathan, in accordance with divine justice and royal command, leads to God's favor and the healing of the land. This reflects the biblical principle that righteousness and justice, when pursued, result in divine blessing and restoration. The narrative underscores the belief in a God who is responsive to the cries of His people and who desires to restore and bless the land when His people act in accordance with His will.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(14) In Zelah.--According to Joshua 18:28 a town of Benjamin. It has not been identified, but was probably near Gibeah.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 14. - The bones of Saul and Jonathan. The Septuagint adds, "and the bones of them that were hanged." As it is expressly said in ver. 13 that these bones were collected, we cannot doubt but that the remains of the seven grandsons were interred with those of Saul and Jonathan, in the tomb of Kish, their common ancestor. But whether the Septuagint has preserved words that have dropped out of the Hebrew text, or has added them to make the fact plain, is more than we can answer. Zelah. Nothing more is known of this place than that it was in the tribe of Benjamin.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

And they buried
וַיִּקְבְּר֣וּ (way·yiq·bə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6912: To inter

the bones
עַצְמוֹת־ (‘aṣ·mō·wṯ-)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 6106: A bone, the body, the substance, selfsame

of Saul
שָׁא֣וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

and his son
בְּ֠נוֹ (bə·nōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1121: A son

Jonathan
וִיהוֹנָֽתָן־ (wî·hō·w·nā·ṯān-)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3083: Jonathan -- 'the LORD has given', the name of a number of Israelites

in Zela
בְּצֵלָ֗ע (bə·ṣê·lā‘)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6762: Zela -- a place in Benjamin

in the land
בְּאֶ֨רֶץ (bə·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Benjamin,
בִּנְיָמִ֜ן (bin·yā·min)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1144: Benjamin -- 'son of the right hand', youngest son of Jacob, also the name of two other Israelites

in the tomb
בְּקֶ֙בֶר֙ (bə·qe·ḇer)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6913: A grave, sepulcher

of Saul’s father
אָבִ֔יו (’ā·ḇîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

Kish.
קִ֣ישׁ (qîš)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7027: Kish -- father of Saul, also the name of several other Israelites

After
אַֽחֲרֵי־ (’a·ḥă·rê-)
Preposition
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

they had done
וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֔וּ (way·ya·‘ă·śū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6213: To do, make

everything
כֹּ֥ל (kōl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the king
הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

had commanded,
צִוָּ֖ה (ṣiw·wāh)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

God
אֱלֹהִ֛ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

answered their prayers
וַיֵּעָתֵ֧ר (way·yê·‘ā·ṯêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6279: To burn incense in worship, intercede

for the land.
לָאָ֖רֶץ (lā·’ā·reṣ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

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OT History: 2 Samuel 21:14 They buried the bones of Saul (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)