1 Samuel 11:6

6 The Spirit of God came on Saul when he heard the report and he flew into a rage.

1 Samuel 11:6 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 11:6

And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those
tidings
And filled him with pity and compassion to the inhabitants of Jabesh, and with wisdom and prudence, and set his thoughts at work to contrive ways and means for their relief, and with fortitude, courage, and resolution, to attempt their deliverance; so the Targum,

``the spirit of fortitude from the Lord dwelt on Saul:''

and his anger was kindled greatly; against Nahash the Ammonite for insulting Israel, and threatening to use the inhabitants of Jabesh in such a cruel manner.

1 Samuel 11:6 In-Context

4 The messengers came to Saul's place at Gibeah and told the people what was going on. As the people broke out in loud wails,
5 Saul showed up. He was coming back from the field with his oxen. Saul asked, "What happened? Why is everyone crying?" And they repeated the message that had come from Jabesh.
6 The Spirit of God came on Saul when he heard the report and he flew into a rage.
7 He grabbed the yoke of oxen and butchered them on the spot. He sent the messengers throughout Israel distributing the bloody pieces with this message: "Anyone who refuses to join up with Saul and Samuel, let this be the fate of his oxen!"
8 Saul took command of the people at Bezek. There were 300,000 men from Israel, another 30,000 from Judah.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.