They took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh, and fasted seven days.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 13. Wood. Par. under the oak.—Days, at their own option. David fasted one day, ( Calmet.) as he did for Abner. Salien.—There was no obligation of mourning for the kings, though it is probable that those near the royal city, would shew this mark of attention to the deceased monarch. See Jeremiah 34:5. 2 Chronicles 35:25. The usual term of mourning was seven days. Sirach 22:13. Calmet.—It is very difficult to ascertain the length of Saul’s reign. Sanctius and Tirin allow him only 2 years; Petau 12; Calvisius 15; Salien 18; Bucholeer, and probably Josephus, 20, though most copies of the latter have 38; Saint Augustine Serarius, Usher, &chapter 40, which is the term mentioned Acts 13:20. But most chronologers suppose that the time of Samuel’s administration is there also included. Bible.—Sulpitius thinks that Saul only “reigned a very short time,” as “the ark was brought to Cariathiarim before the appeared on the throne, and was removed by David, after it had been there twenty years.”
2 KINGS
THE SECOND BOOK OF SAMUEL;
otherwise called,
THE SECOND BOOK OF KINGS
or, salt cedar