1 Samuel11
English Standard Version
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1 Then the and Jabesh- , and the of to , a with us, and we will you.
2 But the to them, On condition I will a treaty with you, that I your , and thus .
3 The of to him, Give us ’ that we may through the of . Then, there is no to us, we will ourselves up to you.
4 When the to of , they the in the of the , and the .
5 Now, , was the the . And , is wrong with the , they are ? So they him the of the of .
6 And the of when he , and his was .
7 He a of and cut them in and them throughout the of by the of the , , does and , shall it be to his ! Then the of the Lord the , and they as .
8 When he them at , the of were , and the of .
9 And they to the who had , shall you to the of : , by the time the is , you shall have . When the and the of , they were .
10 Therefore the of , we will ourselves up to you, and you may to us whatever to you.
11 And the the in . And they into the of the in the and the the of the . And those who were , so that of them were .
12 Then the to , is it that , Shall us? the , that we may put them to .
13 But , a shall be , the Lord has in .
14 Then to the , , let us to and the .
15 So the to , and they the Lord in . There they the Lord, and and the of .
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1 Samuel 11Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Samuel 11. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Jabesh-gilead delivered. (1–11). Saul confirmed in his kingdom. (12–15).
vv1-11
The first fruit of Saul's government was the rescue of Jabesh-gilead from the Ammonites. To save their lives, men will part with liberty, and even consent to have their eyes put out; is it then no wisdom to part with that sin which is as dear to us as our right eye, rather than to be cast into hell-fire? See the faith and confidence of Saul, and, grounded thereon, his courage and resolution. See also his activity in this business. When the Spirit of the Lord comes upon men, it will make them expert, even without experience. When zeal for the glory of God, and love for the brethren, urge men to earnest efforts, and when God is pleased to help, great effects may speedily be produced.
vv12-15
They now honoured Saul whom they had despised; and if an enemy be made a friend, that is more to our advantage than to have him slain. The once despised Saviour will at length be acknowledged by all as the Lord's own anointed king. As yet, upon his mercy-seat, he receives the submission of rebels, and even pleads their cause; but shortly, from his righteous tribunal, he will condemn all who persist in opposing him.
Key Words
נָחָשׁ: Nachash, the name of two persons apparently non-Israelite
עַמּוֹנִי: an Ammonite or (the adjective) Ammonitish
עָלָה: to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
חָנָה: properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch atent; gen. to encamp (for abode or siege)
כֹּל: properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֱנוֹשׁ: a man in general (singly or collectively)
יָבֵשׁ: Jobesh, the name of an Israelite and of a place in Palestine
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
כָּרַת: to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e. make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutting flesh and passing between the pieces)
בְּרִית: a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
Cross References
1 Samuel 11Samuel explicitly states that Nahash's invasion was the immediate catalyst for Israel's demand for a king.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Saul's action of cutting oxen mirrors the Levite's gruesome summons of Israel in Judges.
Supported by JFB
The people demand death for the rebels who previously despised Saul's kingship.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB
The Ammonites seek to reclaim territory and avenge their previous defeat by Jephthah.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The Spirit of God empowers Saul just as He did the Judges for military deliverance.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The divine Spirit's sudden empowerment of Saul echoes Gideon's clothing with the Spirit.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Verbal and thematic parallel to the Spirit coming upon Jephthah before the Ammonite battle.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Jabesh-gilead had historic ties to Benjamin, having provided wives after the war of Judges 21.
Supported by Matthew Poole
David later shows similar royal clemency to his detractors, refusing to execute them on a day of victory.
Supported by JFB
The men of Jabesh-gilead later risk their lives to rescue Saul's body in gratitude for this rescue.
The fear of the Lord fell on the people, causing them to unite, echoing Genesis 35.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Saul's strategy of dividing his forces into three companies mirrors Gideon's tactical arrangement.
Supported by JFB
Fulfills Samuel's earlier command to go to Gilgal to offer sacrifices and establish Saul.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Blinding captives as mutilation to disable them from warfare, as seen with Samson's right and left eyes.
Supported by Matthew Poole