Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabesh Gilead: and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you.
"Jabesh-gilead"  (1 Samuel 11:1).  This is the town that was destroyed by the Israelites because of their failure to take part in the war against Benjamin  (Judges 21:8-15).  "It was located nine or ten miles southeast of the ancient town of Bethshan, only two miles east of the Jordan river on the Wadi Yabis, a tributary to the Jordan, and has been identified with the modern Tell Abu Kharaz."[4] Saul's rescue of this town resulted in their lasting affection for him; and when, at the end of Saul's reign, the Philistines defeated him and brought about his death, and after they cut off his head and hung Saul's body on the fortress of Bethshan, the citizens of Jabesh-gilead recovered Saul's body in a daring night long raid and gave his remains an honorable burial  (1 Samuel 31:8-13).