1 Samuel11
World English Bible · Public Domain
1Then Nahash the Ammonite came up and encamped against Jabesh Gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you.”
2Nahash the Ammonite said to them, “On this condition I will make it with you, that all your right eyes be gouged out. I will make this dishonor all Israel.”
3The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days, that we may send messengers to all the borders of Israel; and 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 ears of the people, then all the people lifted up their voice and wept.
5Behold, Saul came following the oxen out of the field; and Saul said, “What ails the people that they weep?” They told him the words of the men of Jabesh.
6God’s Spirit came mightily on Saul when he heard those words, and his anger burned hot.
7He took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces, then sent them throughout all the borders of Israel by the hand of messengers, saying, “Whoever doesn’t come out after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen.” The dread of Yahweh fell on the people, and they came out as one man.
8He counted them in Bezek; and the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
9They said to the messengers who came, “Tell the men of Jabesh Gilead, ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you will be rescued.’” The messengers came and told the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.
10Therefore the men of Jabesh said, “Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you shall do with us all that seems good to you.”
11On the next day, Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the middle of the camp in the morning watch, and struck the Ammonites until the heat of the day. Those who remained were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.
12The people said to Samuel, “Who is he who said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring those men, that we may put them to death!”
13Saul said, “No man shall be put to death today; for today Yahweh has rescued Israel.”
14Then Samuel said to the people, “Come! Let’s go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.”
15All the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before Yahweh in Gilgal. There they offered sacrifices of peace offerings before Yahweh; 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