1 Samuel Chapter 11 — Saul Rescues Jabesh Gilead
Saul leads Israel to victory against the Ammonites after they threaten Jabesh Gilead, leading to his formal confirmation as king at Gilgal.
1Then Nahash the Ammonite came up and encamped against Jabesh Gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you.”
2Nahash the Ammonite said to them, “On this condition I will make it with you, that all your right eyes be gouged out. I will make this dishonor all Israel.”
3The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days, that we may send messengers to all the borders of Israel; and then, if there is no one to save us, we will come out to you.”
4Then the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul, and spoke these words in the ears of the people, then all the people lifted up their voice and wept.
5Behold, Saul came following the oxen out of the field; and Saul said, “What ails the people that they weep?” They told him the words of the men of Jabesh.
6God’s Spirit came mightily on Saul when he heard those words, and his anger burned hot.
7He took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces, then sent them throughout all the borders of Israel by the hand of messengers, saying, “Whoever doesn’t come out after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen.” The dread of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out as one man.
8He counted them in Bezek; and the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
9They said to the messengers who came, “Tell the men of Jabesh Gilead, ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you will be rescued.’ ” The messengers came and told the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.
10Therefore the men of Jabesh said, “Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you shall do with us all that seems good to you.”
11On the next day, Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the middle of the camp in the morning watch, and struck the Ammonites until the heat of the day. Those who remained were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.
12The people said to Samuel, “Who is he who said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring those men, that we may put them to death!”
13Saul said, “No man shall be put to death today; for today the LORD has rescued Israel.”
14Then Samuel said to the people, “Come! Let’s go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.”
15All the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal. There they offered sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
1 Samuel 11:6
“God’s Spirit came mightily on Saul when he heard those words, and his anger burned hot.”
This verse marks the decisive moment where Saul transitions from a common farmer to a divinely empowered leader.
1 Samuel 11:13
“Saul said, “No man shall be put to death today; for today the LORD has rescued Israel.””
This highlights Saul's early humility and his recognition that the victory belonged to God rather than himself.
Chapter Summary
In 1 Samuel 11, Nahash the Ammonite besieges Jabesh Gilead and offers a peace treaty on the cruel condition that every man's right eye be gouged out to shame Israel. The elders of Jabesh request seven days to find a savior. When messengers reach Gibeah, Saul is returning from the fields. Upon hearing the news, the Spirit of God comes mightily upon him. Saul rallies the nation by sending pieces of oxen to all borders, warning of consequences for those who do not follow him and Samuel. An army of 330,000 assembles and defeats the Ammonites in a surprise morning attack. Following the victory, Saul shows mercy to his earlier critics who doubted his kingship, crediting the Lord for the rescue. Samuel then leads the people to Gilgal, where they renew the kingdom and officially confirm Saul as king with sacrifices and great rejoicing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nahash intended this cruel act to serve as a public dishonor to the entire nation of Israel. By blinding the right eye, he would also make the men less effective in combat, as the left eye is often obscured by a shield during battle.
After the Spirit of God came upon him, Saul cut a yoke of oxen into pieces and sent them throughout Israel via messengers. He warned that the same would be done to the oxen of anyone who did not join the call to arms led by himself and Samuel.
Samuel called the people to Gilgal to 'renew the kingdom.' In this assembly, the people formally made Saul king before the Lord, offered peace offerings, and celebrated their victory and new leadership with great joy.
Study Note
The 'morning watch' mentioned in verse 11 refers to the final period of the night, just before sunrise, indicating that Saul utilized the cover of darkness for a strategic surprise attack.
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