1 Samuel11
New Living Translation
1About a month later, King Nahash of Ammon led his army against the Israelite town of Jabesh-gilead. But all the citizens of Jabesh asked for peace. “Make a treaty with us, and we will be your servants,” they pleaded.
2“All right,” Nahash said, “but only on one condition. I will gouge out the right eye of every one of you as a disgrace to all Israel!”
3“Give us seven days to send messengers throughout Israel!” replied the elders of Jabesh. “If no one comes to save us, we will agree to your terms.”
4When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and told the people about their plight, everyone broke into tears.
5Saul had been plowing a field with his oxen, and when he returned to town, he asked, “What’s the matter? Why is everyone crying?” So they told him about the message from Jabesh.
6Then the Spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul, and he became very angry.
7He took two oxen and cut them into pieces and sent the messengers to carry them throughout Israel with this message: “This is what will happen to the oxen of anyone who refuses to follow Saul and Samuel into battle!” And the Lord made the people afraid of Saul’s anger, and all of them came out together as one.
8When Saul mobilized them at Bezek, he found that there were 300,000 men from Israel and 30,000 men from Judah.
9So Saul sent the messengers back to Jabesh-gilead to say, “We will rescue you by noontime tomorrow!” There was great joy throughout the town when that message arrived!
10The men of Jabesh then told their enemies, “Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you can do to us whatever you wish.”
11But before dawn the next morning, Saul arrived, having divided his army into three detachments. He launched a surprise attack against the Ammonites and slaughtered them the whole morning. The remnant of their army was so badly scattered that no two of them were left together.
12Then the people exclaimed to Samuel, “Now where are those men who said, ‘Why should Saul rule over us?’ Bring them here, and we will kill them!”
13But Saul replied, “No one will be executed today, for today the Lord has rescued Israel!”
14Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us all go to Gilgal to renew the kingdom.”
15So they all went to Gilgal, and in a solemn ceremony before the Lord they made Saul king. Then they offered peace offerings to the Lord, and Saul and all the Israelites were filled with joy.
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