The Men of Jabesh, also known as the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead, play a significant role in several narratives within the Old Testament. Jabesh-gilead was a city located east of the Jordan River in the territory of Gilead, which belonged to the half-tribe of Manasseh. The city is most notably mentioned in the context of the early monarchy of Israel and the period of the Judges.

1. The Rescue by Saul:

The Men of Jabesh first come into prominence during the reign of King Saul. In 1 Samuel 11, Nahash the Ammonite besieged Jabesh-gilead, and the inhabitants sought a treaty with him. Nahash agreed to make a treaty on the condition that he would gouge out the right eye of every man in Jabesh, thus bringing disgrace upon all Israel. The elders of Jabesh requested seven days to seek help from the rest of Israel. When the message reached Saul, he was filled with the Spirit of God and burned with anger. Saul mustered an army by sending pieces of oxen throughout Israel, threatening to do the same to the oxen of anyone who did not follow him. The Israelites rallied, and Saul led them to a decisive victory over the Ammonites, thus saving the city. This event solidified Saul's position as king and demonstrated his ability to unite and lead the tribes of Israel. The Berean Standard Bible records Saul's rallying cry: "Then the dread of the LORD fell upon the people, and they turned out as one man" (1 Samuel 11:7).

2. The Loyalty to Saul:

The Men of Jabesh-gilead are also noted for their loyalty to Saul, even after his death. In 1 Samuel 31, after the Philistines defeated Israel at Mount Gilboa, they found the bodies of Saul and his sons and fastened them to the wall of Beth-shan. When the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard of this, their valiant men traveled overnight to retrieve the bodies. They took them back to Jabesh, burned them, and buried their bones under a tamarisk tree. They then fasted for seven days. This act of bravery and loyalty was later acknowledged by David, who blessed them for their kindness to Saul: "May you be blessed by the LORD, because you have shown this kindness to Saul your lord when you buried him" (2 Samuel 2:5).

3. The Connection to the Tribe of Benjamin:

The Men of Jabesh-gilead are indirectly connected to the tribe of Benjamin through an earlier event recorded in Judges 21. After the civil war between the tribe of Benjamin and the other Israelite tribes, the Israelites swore not to give their daughters in marriage to the Benjamites. To provide wives for the surviving Benjamites, they attacked Jabesh-gilead, which had not joined the assembly at Mizpah, and took 400 young virgins to give to the Benjamites. This event highlights the complex inter-tribal relationships and the recurring theme of unity and division within Israel.

The Men of Jabesh-gilead, through their actions and the events surrounding them, illustrate themes of loyalty, courage, and the intricate dynamics of Israelite society during the time of the Judges and the early monarchy. Their account is a testament to the enduring bonds of kinship and the importance of honor and remembrance in the biblical narrative.