1 Samuel 11:12

12 And the people said to Samuel, Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death.

1 Samuel 11:12 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 11:12

And the people said unto Samuel
By which it seems that Samuel accompanied Saul in this expedition; though it is somewhat difficult to account for it, that a man of his years should be able to attend so quick a march that Saul made; it may be, therefore, that he might follow after him gently, and meet him quickly after the battle was fought, when the people made the following speech to him:

who is he that said, shall Saul reign over us?
is such a mean inexperienced man fit to rule over us? who can bear his government, and submit to it? what can be expected from him, that he should deliver and save us out of the hands of our enemies? in this they had respect to the sons of Belial, and what they said, ( 1 Samuel 10:27 ) , but now it appeared he was sufficiently qualified, and God had made him an instrument of salvation, and was a proper person to be king over them:

bring the men, that we may put them to death;
so transported were they with affection to Saul, and indignation against those men.

1 Samuel 11:12 In-Context

10 And the men of Jabesh said, To-morrow we will come out to you, and ye may do with us according to all that is good in your sight.

11 And it came to pass the next day that Saul set the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch, and smote Ammon until the heat of the day: and it came to pass that they who remained were scattered, and not two of them were left together.

12 And the people said to Samuel, Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death.

13 But Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day; for to-day Jehovah has wrought deliverance in Israel.

14 And Samuel said to the people, Come and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.