1 Samuel11
New American Standard
1Now Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh-gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a covenant with us and we will serve you.”
2But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, “I will make it with you on this condition, that I will gouge out the right eye of every one of you, and thereby I will inflict a disgrace on all Israel.”
3So the elders of Jabesh said to him, “Allow us seven days to send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to save us, we will come out to you.”
4Then the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and spoke these words in the hearing of the people, and all the people raised their voices and wept.
5Now behold, Saul was coming from the field behind the oxen, and Saul said, “What is the matter with the people that they weep?” So they reported to him the words of the men of Jabesh.
6Then the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul when he heard these words, and he became very angry.
7He then took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces, and sent them throughout the territory of Israel by the hand of messengers, saying, “Whoever does not come out after Saul and after Samuel, the same shall be done to his oxen.” Then the dread of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out as one person.
8He counted them in Bezek; and the sons of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah, thirty thousand.
9They said to the messengers who had come, “This is what you shall say to the men of Jabesh-gilead: ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you will be saved.’” So the messengers went and told the men of Jabesh; and they rejoiced.
10Then the men of Jabesh said, “Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you may do to us whatever seems good to you.”
11The next morning Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the camp at the morning watch, and struck and killed the Ammonites until the heat of the day. And those who survived scattered, so that no two of them were left together.
12Then the people said to Samuel, “Who is he that said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring the men, so that we may put them to death!”
13But Saul said, “Not a single person shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has brought about victory in Israel.”
14Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, and let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingdom there.”
15So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal. There they also offered sacrifices of peace offerings before the Lord; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Samuel 11.
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