Judges 21:8-12

Jabesh-gilead figured prominently in the history of Saul. His rescue of the people of Jabesh-gilead from Nahash the Ammonite marked the effective beginning of the Israelite monarchy (1 Samuel 11:1-11 ). Later, the men of Jabesh-gilead demonstrated the high regard in which they held Saul by retrieving the bodies of the slain king and his sons from the walls of Beth-shan (1 Samuel 31:11-13 ). David expressed thanks for the brave deed (2 Samuel 2:4-7 ), and eventually removed Saul's bones from Jabesh-gilead (2 Samuel 21:12 ).