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. And they buried the bones of Saul and his son JonathanDavid gathered Saul’s and Jonathan’s remains from Jabesh-gilead, where the men of that city had recovered their bodies after the Philistines’ abuse at Beth-shan. Their burial joined the honor shown by Jabesh-gilead with David’s enduring respect for Saul, the LORD’s anointed king, and Jonathan, David’s covenant friend. The remains of Saul’s descendants who had been executed in response to the Gibeonite grievance were also buried, bringing an end to a season marked by bloodguilt and famine. 1Sa 31:12-13 all their men of valor set out, journeyed all night… in Zela in the land of Benjamin, Zela lay in Benjamin’s tribal inheritance, the land of Saul’s family. Returning Saul and Jonathan to Benjamin restored them to their ancestral home and publicly affirmed that David did not seek to erase Saul’s house or dishonor Israel’s first king. Jos 18:28 Zelah, Haeleph, Jebus (that is, Jerusalem)… in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish. The family tomb of Kish provided a fitting resting place for Saul and Jonathan among their fathers. Burial with one’s ancestors expressed belonging, continuity, and honor within Israel. Jonathan’s burial beside Saul also brought father and son together after their deaths on Mount Gilboa. 1Sa 14:51 Saul’s father Kish and Abner’s father Ner were sons… After they had done everything the king had commanded, David’s commands addressed the guilt left by Saul’s violation of Israel’s covenant with the Gibeonites. The king sought justice without personal vengeance, honored the dead, and completed the responsibilities required to remove the nation’s corporate guilt. 1Ki 2:38-40 “The sentence is fair,” Shimei replied. “Your servant…”… God answered their prayers for the land. The famine ended after justice had been carried out and the dead had been properly buried. God’s response showed that the land’s distress had not been random but was connected to unresolved bloodguilt. Israel’s restoration came through obedient acknowledgment of sin, righteous action, and dependence upon the mercy of God. 2Ch 7:13-14 If I close the sky so there is no rain, or if I command… Persons / Places / Events 1. SaulThe first king of Israel, whose disobedience to God led to his downfall and the eventual transfer of kingship to David. 2. Jonathan Saul's son and David's close friend, known for his loyalty and bravery. 3. David The king of Israel at the time, who sought to honor Saul and Jonathan by giving them a proper burial. 4. Zela A town in the land of Benjamin where Saul and Jonathan were buried. 5. Kish Saul's father, whose tomb became the final resting place for Saul and Jonathan. Teaching Points Respect for the DeadThe burial of Saul and Jonathan underscores the importance of honoring those who have passed, regardless of past conflicts. Obedience to Authority The people followed King David's command, demonstrating the biblical principle of respecting and obeying God-ordained leadership. Reconciliation and Peace David's actions reflect a heart of reconciliation, seeking to make peace with Saul's legacy and family. God's Response to Righteous Actions After the burial, God answered prayers for the land, illustrating that God honors righteous actions and intentions. Legacy and Honor The burial in the family tomb signifies the importance of family legacy and the honor due to one's ancestors. Bible Study Questions 1. How does David's treatment of Saul and Jonathan's remains reflect his character and relationship with God?2. In what ways can we apply the principle of honoring those who have passed in our own lives today? 3. How does the act of reconciliation in this passage relate to Jesus' teachings in the New Testament? 4. What can we learn from the people's obedience to David's command in terms of our own response to authority? 5. How does this passage encourage us to seek God's guidance and intervention in times of national or personal crisis? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 31Describes the death of Saul and Jonathan, providing context for their burial in 2 Samuel 21:14. 1 Samuel 24:20-22 Highlights David's promise to Saul to not cut off his descendants, showing David's integrity and respect for Saul's family. Genesis 50:13 The burial of Jacob by his sons, which parallels the importance of honoring one's ancestors through proper burial. Matthew 5:23-24 Jesus' teaching on reconciliation, which can be related to David's actions in seeking to make things right with Saul's family.
People Abishai, Adriel, Aiah, Amorites, Armoni, Barzillai, Benjamin, David, Elhanan, Gibeon, Gibeonites, Goliath, Ishbibenob, Israelites, Jaareoregim, Jabesh, Jair, Jonathan, Kish, Mephibosheth, Merab, Michal, Rapha, Rizpah, Saph, Saul, Shimea, Shimeah, Shimei, Sibbecai, Sibbechai, ZeruiahPlaces Beth-shan, Gath, Gibeah, Gilboa, Gob, Jabesh-gilead, Jerusalem, ZelaTopics Afterwards, Behalf, Benjamin, Bones, Buried, Bury, Burying-place, Commanded, Ear, Entreated, Grave, Heeded, Intreated, Jonathan, Kish, Moved, Orders, Performed, Prayer, Prayers, Propitious, Resting-place, Saul, Saul's, Sepulcher, Sepulchre, Supplications, Thus, Tomb, Zela, ZelahDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Samuel 21:12-14Library Divers Matters. I. Beth-cerem, Nehemiah 3:14. "The stones, as well of the altar, as of the ascent to the altar, were from the valley of Beth-cerem, which they digged out beneath the barren land. And thence they are wont to bring whole stones, upon which the working iron came not." The fathers of the traditions, treating concerning the blood of women's terms, reckon up five colours of it; among which that, "which is like the water of the earth, out of the valley of Beth-cerem."--Where the Gloss writes thus, "Beth-cerem … John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Exile Continued. Samuel Links 2 Samuel 21:14 NIV2 Samuel 21:14 NLT 2 Samuel 21:14 ESV 2 Samuel 21:14 NASB 2 Samuel 21:14 KJV 2 Samuel 21:14 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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