The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Samuel — Section 558

Vers. 11-13. (BETHSHAN, JABESH-GILEAD.)-Gratitude. The first victory of Saut (eh. xi.) is connected with his death by the noble exploit of the men of Jabesh. It was due partly to loyalty and patriotism ; chiefly to gratitude for benefits formerly con- ferred upon them. It is seldom that any one closes his earthly course without some token of grateful remembrance. Of one of the worst tyrants that ever held the reins of power in Rome (Nero), it is recorded that on the morning after he was buried' amidst general execration fresh flowe1s were found strewn by an unknown hand upon his grave. Saul had done many generous deeds, and they were not forgotten. The gratitude of the men of Jabesh was marked by many admirabfo features. It was-I. Unercpected. Who would have thought that the city which was so faithless. and cowardly as to say to Nahash, "Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee," could have furnished such an instance of devotion? The noblest qualities sometimes appear in association with the meanest, and where men expect to find no good thing. Let us not despise our nature, nor think that at its worst it is wholly incapable of generous acts. 2. Long-clierishea. It was many years previously that Jabesh had been saved by Saul; but its grateful feeling had not (as is sometimes the case) grown cold with the lapse of time. When a philosopher was asked," what doth soonest grow cold? " he replied, " Thanks." 3. Spontaneous. No special appeal was made to them; but perceiving that they could do something to testify their gratitude to their benefactor by rescuing his remains from the indignity to which they were subjected, ":-11 the valiant men arose" of their own accord, "and we1:1t all night" (a distance of ten miles, across the Jor?an) and ac~omplis~ed it. Grat_1t)1de loses its proper character and ceases to be gratitude when 1t reqmres to be sohc1te_d and urged. 4. IJisinterestea. Saul and his sons were_ dead, and no reward for th_e!r daring effort might be expected. It was performed m somewhat 9f t~e ~ame spmt as that with which Saul himself fo1merly acted; what was best m his hfe was ro- membered and admired by them (as it was by David, 2 Sam. i. 23), and it served to stir them to similar excellence. Disinterested conduct begets its lik_e. "Good deeds immortal are-they cannot die ; Unscathed by envious blight or withering frost, They live, and bud, and bloom ; and men partake Still of their freshness, and are strong thereby" (Aytoun). 5. Hero-ic and self-sacrificing; exhibited practically and at the rjsk of life, and 1is- playing great energy and valour. . "The pillars of fire of ge'?ume _hum~n heroism are the noble lights of history, whwh make us feel at ease while_ SOJOUrnmg among spectres, and horrors, and graves" (Lange). 6. O?mplete. It did not stop sh?rt of doing its best. "They took their bones, and buried them under the tamansk at Jabesh, and fasted seven days" (ver. 13; 2 Sam. xxi. 14). They c?uld do no more; and what they did was done tenderly, mournfully, reverently, and m fulfilment of a sacred custom and religious duty. . Exhortation :-1. Endeavour so to live that when you are gone you may be remem- bered witL gratitude, and leave behind the recollection of good deeds which mJy incite others io the like. 2. Fail not to render gratitude to evr-ry one who has OB. XXXI. 1-13.) THE FIRST BOOK OF SAMUEL. 571