When they reached the threshing-floor of Atad, which is across the Jordan, they lamented and wept loudly, and Joseph mourned seven days for his father.
These are the words Moses spoke to all Israel across the Jordan in the wilderness, in the Arabah opposite Suph, between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Di-zahab.
When the Canaanite inhabitants of the land saw the mourning at the threshing-floor of Atad, they said, ‘This is a solemn mourning on the part of the Egyptians.’ Therefore the place is named Abel-mizraim. It is across the Jordan.
Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. And Esau determined in his heart, ‘The days of mourning for my father are approaching; then I will kill my brother Jacob.’
Also, they are afraid of heights and dangers on the road; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper loses its spring, and the caperberry has no effect; for the mere mortal is headed to his eternal home, and mourners will walk around in the street;
all their brave men set out and retrieved the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons and brought them to Jabesh. They buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh and fasted for seven days.