1
Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabeshgilead*: and all the men of Jabeshsaid unto Nahash,Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee.
2
And Nahash the Ammoniteanswered them, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your righteyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.
3
And the elders of Jabeshsaid unto him, Give us sevendays'respite, that we may sendmessengers unto all the coasts of Israel: and then, if there be no man to save us, we will come out to thee.
5
And, behold, Saulcameafter the herd out of the field; and Saulsaid, What aileth the people that they weep? And they told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh.
7
And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers,saying, Whosoever cometh not forthafterSaul and afterSamuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the LORDfell on the people, and they came out with oneconsent.
9
And they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall ye say unto the men of Jabeshgilead*, To morrow, by that time the sun be hot, ye shall have help. And the messengerscame and shewed it to the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.
11
And it was so on the morrow, that Saulput the people in threecompanies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morningwatch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not lefttogether.