8 The next day, when the Philistines came to rob the dead, they found Saul and his three sons dead on Mount Gilboa. 9 They cut off Saul's head and stripped off his armor. Then they spread the good news all through Philistine country in the shrines of their idols and among the people. 10 They displayed his armor in the shrine of the Ashtoreth. They nailed his corpse to the wall at Beth Shan. 11 The people of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul. 12 Their valiant men sprang into action. They traveled all night, took the corpses of Saul and his three sons from the wall at Beth Shan, and carried them back to Jabesh and burned off the flesh. 13 They then buried the bones under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh and fasted in mourning for seven days.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 31:8-13
Commentary on 1 Samuel 31:8-13
(Read 1 Samuel 31:8-13)
The Scripture makes no mention what became of the souls of Saul and his sons, after they were dead; but of their bodies only: secret things belong not to us. It is of little consequence by what means we die, or what is done with our dead bodies. If our souls are saved, our bodies will be raised incorruptible and glorious; but not to fear His wrath, who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell, is the extreme of folly and wickedness. How useless is the respect of fellow-creatures to those who are suffering the wrath of God! While pompous funerals, grand monuments, and he praises of men, honour the memory of the deceased, the soul may be suffering in the regions of darkness and despair! Let us seek that honour which cometh from God only.