1 Samuel 11:11

11 And it was [so] on the morrow, that Saul disposed the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning-watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they who remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together.

1 Samuel 11:11 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 11:11

And it was so on the morrow
After the messengers were returned, and delivered their message, and the men of Jabeshgilead had given the Ammonites reason to expect that they would come out to them according to their agreement:

that Saul put the people into three companies;
or "heads" F1, under so many commanders, assigning to each their number, if equally, 110,000 in each, as Gideon divided his three hundred into three companies, one hundred in each, ( Judges 7:16 ) and Abimelech, ( Judges 9:43 ) it seems to have been their way of fighting in those days:

and they came unto the midst of the host:
that is, of the Ammonites:

in the morning watch;
the third and last watch of the night, by break of day, or before, however before the sun was up; so quick was Saul and his men in their march, though on foot. Bunting F2 computes the distance from Gibeah to Bezek forty miles, and from thence to Jabesh sixteen; it is commonly reckoned that it was about sixty miles from Gibeah to Jabesh. Josephus F3 says it was ten "schaeni", each of which contained five or six miles:

and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day;
that is, till noon, so that from the morning watch till noon he was making slaughter of them:

and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered;
those that were not cut off by the sword of Saul were broken and dispersed, they could not stand their ground against him:

so that two of them were not left together; to flee together,
but every one shifted for himself, and fled alone.


FOOTNOTES:

F1 (Myvar) "capita", Pagninus, Montanus
F2 Travels of the Patriarchs p. 126.
F3 Ut supra. (Antiqu. l. 6. c. 5. sect. 3.)

1 Samuel 11:11 In-Context

9 And they said to the messengers that came, thus shall ye say to the men of Jabesh-gilead, To-morrow by [the time] the sun is hot, ye shall have help. And the messengers came and showed [it] to the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.
10 Therefore the men of Jabesh said, To-morrow we will come out to you, and ye shall do with us all that seemeth good to you.
11 And it was [so] on the morrow, that Saul disposed the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning-watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they who remained were scattered, so that two of them were not 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 And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to-day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel.
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