The Valiant Man

"Now when the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, ¹² all the valiant men arose and traveled 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. ¹³ Then they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days."

1 Samuel 31:10-13

After the death of King Saul and his sons, the Philistines hung their desecrated bodies on the walls of Beth Shan as trophies of their victory.  When the men of Jabesh Gilead heard of the death of their king, all the valiant men arose and traveled all night to retrieve the bodies and give them a proper burial.  Early in the reign of Saul the people of Jabesh Gilead were delivered from Nahash the Ammonite when Saul mustered all Israel to battle at the report of their trouble.  He had saved them from the reproach of having to gouge out their right eyes, and they saved him from reproach and derision after his demise.

I am impressed with the valiant men of Jabesh Gilead who traveled a great distance to honour the memory of their deceased king.  They did so at the risk of their own lives with no motive to receive titles, lands, vineyards, flocks, servants or monetary reward.  These men demonstrated bravery and courage they had personally benefited from when they were in trouble and there was no one to help and gave as they had received.  If these men saw fit to take such a risk and make this sacrifice for their king who had perished, it follows we should be at least this valiant to honour and rejoice in our risen King Jesus Christ.

When we were without help or hope in the world, Jesus came to the earth to save sinners.  We were dead in trespasses and sins when God had compassion on us and sent His only begotten Son Jesus to redeem us.  Jesus did not come to risk His life but with full knowledge He would lay down His life and die on Calvary for sinners who did not know or love Him.  Having received salvation, forgiveness and atonement by His blood, our hearts should be full of gratitude and thankfulness.  Knowing God has saved us from certain death by His sacrifice, we should be glad to lay down our lives for Him.  We are His prized trophies of grace.

The awesome truth is we serve a risen King who reigns in eternal glory who is also our great High Priest who sits at the right hand of the Father and ministers for our sakes.  We are able to have communion with the Most High by grace through faith and our aim is not to help Him "save face" but to worship Him in spirit and truth, to glorify His name, to honour and extol the KING OF KINGS by our conduct and speech.  The bones of Jesus are not secreted under a tree or in a tomb but Jesus lives, and the miraculous reality is He lives through us.  The valiant men of Jabesh Gilead are an example for us we see believers follow in the New Testament and to this day.  Because Jesus has overcome death we can walk in the exhortation of 1 Corinthians 15:58:  "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."

What the men of Jabesh Gilead did was not a waste or an unnecessary risk:  in their act for their deceased king we see a shadow of courageous and valiant deeds we ought to do for our risen King.  Isn't Jesus more valiant still, choosing to lay down His life for all who are dead in sin?  May we consider how we ought to live in light of His brave example.