1 Samuel 11

Saul's Deliverance of Jabesh-gilead

1 Nahash^[a] the Ammonite came up and laid siege to Jabesh-gilead.^[b] All the men of Jabesh said to him, "Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you."

2 Nahash the Ammonite replied, "I'll make one with you on this condition: that I gouge out everyone's right eye and humiliate all Israel."

3 "Don't do anything to us for seven days," the elders of Jabesh said to him, "and let us send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. If no one saves us, we will surrender to you."

4 When the messengers came to Gibeah, Saul's [hometown], and told the terms to^[c] the people, all wept aloud.

5 Just then Saul was coming in from the field behind his oxen. "What's the matter with the people? Why are they weeping?" Saul inquired, and they repeated to him the words of the men from Jabesh.

6 When Saul heard these words, the Spirit of God suddenly took control of him,^[d] and his anger burned furiously.

7 He took a team of oxen, cut them in pieces, and sent them throughout the land of Israel by messengers who said, "This is what will be done to the ox of anyone who doesn't march behind Saul and Samuel." As a result, the terror of the Lord fell on the people, and they went out united.

8 Saul counted them at Bezek. There were 300,000^[e] Israelites and 30,000^[f] men from Judah.

9 He told the messengers who had come, "Tell this to the men of Jabesh-gilead: 'Deliverance will be yours tomorrow by the time the sun is hot.' " So the messengers told the men of Jabesh, and they rejoiced.

10 Then the men of Jabesh said to [Nahash], "Tomorrow we will come out, and you can do whatever you want^[g] to us."

11 The next day Saul organized the troops into three divisions. During the morning watch, they invaded the Ammonite camp and slaughtered them until the heat of the day. There were survivors, but they were so scattered that no two of them were left together.

Saul's Confirmation as King

12 Afterwards, the people said to Samuel, "Who said that Saul should not^[h] reign over us?^[i] Give us those men so we can kill them!"^[j]

13 But Saul ordered, "No one will be executed this day, for today the Lord has provided deliverance in Israel."

14 Then Samuel said to the people, "Come, let's go to Gilgal,^[k] so we can renew^[l] the kingship there."

15 So all the people went to Gilgal, and there in the Lord's presence they made Saul king. There they sacrificed fellowship offerings in the Lord's presence, and Saul and all the men of Israel greatly rejoiced.

1 Samuel 11 Commentary

Chapter 11

Jabesh-gilead delivered. (1-11) Saul confirmed in his kingdom. (12-15)

Verses 1-11 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.

Verses 12-15 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. DSS, LXX read About a month later, Nahash
• [b]. 1 Sm 12:12; 31:11
• [c]. Lit in the ears of
• [d]. 1 Sm 10:10; Jdg 14:6
• [e]. LXX reads 600,000
• [f]. DSS, LXX read 70,000
• [g]. Lit do what is good in your eyes
• [h]. Some Hb mss, LXX; other Hb mss omit not
• [i]. 1 Sm 10:27
• [j]. Lk 19:27
• [k]. 1 Sm 13:8-15; 15:10-26
• [l]. 1 Sm 10:24

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 11

This chapter relates the distress the inhabitants of Jabeshgilead were in on account of the Ammonites, 1Sa 11:1-3 upon which they sent messengers to Saul, whose spirit was immediately stirred up to help them, 1Sa 11:4-6, and prepared for it, and came up soon enough for their relief, and slew their enemies, 1Sa 11:7-11, which gained him much honour and reputation among the people, and occasioned the renewal of the kingdom to him, 1Sa 11:12-15.