1 Samuel 31 · a question people ask
Why did the men of Jabesh Gilead go for Saul's body?
The chapter doesn't say. It tells what they heard, "what the Philistines had done to Saul" (31:11), and what they did (31:12-13). The book has told what Saul did for their town: when Nahash the Ammonite encamped against Jabesh Gilead (11:1), Saul's army came, and "Those who remained were scattered, so that no two of them were left together" (11:11). Chapter 31 doesn't mention it. When the men of Judah told David, "The men of Jabesh Gilead were those who buried Saul" (2 Samuel 2:4), he sent them word: "Blessed are you by the LORD, that you have shown this kindness to your lord, even to Saul, and have buried him" (2 Samuel 2:5), and "I also will reward you for this kindness, because you have done this thing" (2 Samuel 2:6). David calls what they did kindness. Neither book gives their reason, and this answer doesn't supply one.
The verses
“When the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, all the valiant men arose, went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth Shan; and they came to Jabesh and burned them there. They took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.”
“Then Nahash the Ammonite came up and encamped against Jabesh Gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you.””
“They said to the messengers who came, “Tell the men of Jabesh Gilead, ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you will be rescued.’” The messengers came and told the men of Jabesh; and they were glad. Therefore the men of Jabesh said, “Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you shall do with us all that seems good to you.” On the next day, Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the middle of the camp in the morning watch, and struck the Ammonites until the heat of the day. Those who remained were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.”
“The men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. They told David, “The men of Jabesh Gilead were those who buried Saul.” David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh Gilead, and said to them, “Blessed are you by the LORD, that you have shown this kindness to your lord, even to Saul, and have buried him. Now may the LORD show loving kindness and truth to you. I also will reward you for this kindness, because you have done this thing.”