שמואל ב, פרק כ״א, פסוק י״ד

The conclusion of a tragic period brings a profound sense of closure to Israel, restoring the lost honor of its first royal family while healing the land itself. Bringing the remains of Saul and his family to a proper burial serves as the final step in achieving both national and divine reconciliation. Although the primary focus is on Saul and his son Jonathan, their burial actually includes the remains of Saul's other descendants who had been publicly exposed. All of these remains were gathered and laid to rest together [מצודת דוד, רלב״ג, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The burial took place in Tzelah, a location near Jerusalem [מצודת ציון, רד״ק, מלבי״ם]. Specifically, the remains were placed in the tomb of Kish, Saul's father. This act corrected a past wrong, as Saul had previously been buried outside his natural resting place. Now, he was finally returned to his proper ancestral grave [מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

King David issued specific orders regarding how this solemn event should be handled. One perspective suggests that his command simply referred to the physical act of transporting and burying the remains with the utmost respect, emphasizing that the task was completed exactly as instructed [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Another approach expands on this, explaining that David's orders centered on ensuring proper mourning. Because Saul was never properly eulogized at the time of his death, David commanded that he receive a final tribute fitting for a king [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד]. As the procession carrying the remains traveled, eulogies were held in every Israelite city they passed through, allowing the entire nation to pay their respects [רש״י, רד״ק].

Following these actions, God accepted the prayers of the people and showed favor to the land [מצודת ציון]. This divine reconciliation occurred only after two parallel processes were fully resolved: justice was served for the Gibeonites, and Saul's dignity was restored through a proper burial and public eulogy. Once both of these crucial conditions were met, God answered the cries of the land and brought the rain desperately needed to end the ongoing famine [מלבי״ם, מצודת דוד, רלב״ג, ביאור שטיינזלץ].