1 Samuel 11:3

3 —Danos siete días para que podamos enviar mensajeros por todo el territorio de Israel —respondieron los ancianos de Jabés—. Si no hay quien nos libre de ustedes, nos rendiremos.

1 Samuel 11:3 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 11:3

And the elders of Jabesh said
The magistrates and principal men of the city:

give us seven days' respite, that we may send messengers to all the
coasts of Israel;
that is, cease from besieging them, from throwing in darts into the city, or any other missive weapons, and from attempting to break open the gates, or break down the walls of it, and storm it; such a space of time they desire, which was as little as could be granted, to go and return in, and without this it would not be a reproach to all Israel, if they were ill used by them, since they had no knowledge of their case, nor time to come up for their assistance:

and then, if there be no man to save us, we will come out to thee;
and submit to be used at thy pleasure. And it seems that this was granted by Nahash out of a bravado, and to reproach and insult all Israel, and bid them defiance; with whom he sought to quarrel, having a design upon their land, and knowing very well their condition, being awed by the Philistines; and having just chosen a king, and he an inexperienced man in the affairs of war, and had no army; nor was it likely that one could be assembled in so short a time, and come to the relief of this people, and therefore he thought himself safe enough in granting their request.

1 Samuel 11:3 In-Context

1 Najás el amonita subió contra Jabés de Galaad y la sitió. Los habitantes de la ciudad le dijeron:—Haz un pacto con nosotros, y seremos tus siervos.

2 —Haré un pacto con ustedes —contestó Najás el amonita—, pero con una condición: que les saque a cada uno de ustedes el ojo derecho. Así dejaré en desgracia a todo Israel.

3 —Danos siete días para que podamos enviar mensajeros por todo el territorio de Israel —respondieron los ancianos de Jabés—. Si no hay quien nos libre de ustedes, nos rendiremos.

4 Cuando los mensajeros llegaron a Guibeá, que era la ciudad de Saúl, y le comunicaron el mensaje al pueblo, todos se echaron a llorar.

5 En esos momentos Saúl regresaba del campo arreando sus bueyes, y preguntó: «¿Qué le pasa a la gente? ¿Por qué están llorando?» Entonces le contaron lo que habían dicho los habitantes de Jabés.