1 Samuel 11:14

14 Then Samuel said to the people, Come, let us go to Gilgal and there make the kingdom strong in the hands of Saul.

1 Samuel 11:14 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 11:14

Then said Samuel to the people
Agreeing to what Saul had said, and in order to put them off from demanding the lives of the offenders, and willing to take them while they were in a good disposition:

come, and let us go to Gilgal;
which was the nearest place to them, on the other side Jordan, from which they now were, and where the children of Israel first encamped when they passed over Jordan, where the tabernacle and ark first were, and an altar was built, and where meetings used to be held on certain occasions; all which might be reasons why Samuel proposed to go to this place. According to Bunting {d}, this place was thirty six miles from Jabeshgilead:

and renew the kingdom there;
that is, recognize Saul, own and declare him king of Israel.


FOOTNOTES:

F4 Ut supra. (Travels of the Patriarchs p. 126.)

1 Samuel 11:14 In-Context

12 And the people said to Samuel, Who was it who said, Is Saul to be our king? give the men up, so that we may put them to death.
13 And Saul said, Not a man is to be put to death today: for today the Lord has made Israel safe.
14 Then Samuel said to the people, Come, let us go to Gilgal and there make the kingdom strong in the hands of Saul.
15 So all the people went to Gilgal; and there in Gilgal they made Saul king before the Lord; and peace-offerings were offered before the Lord; and there Saul and all the men of Israel were glad with great joy.
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