1 Samuel 11:12

KJV

¶ And the people said unto Samuel, Who [is] he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the people {H5971} said {H559} unto Samuel {H8050}, Who is he that said {H559}, Shall Saul {H7586} reign {H4427} over us? bring {H5414} the men {H582}, that we may put them to death {H4191}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The people said to Sh'mu'el, "Who are the men who said, 'Is Sha'ul to rule over us?' Hand them over to us, so we can put them to death."

Berean Standard Bible

Then the people said to Samuel, “Who said that Saul should not reign over us? Bring those men here so we can kill them!”

American Standard Version

And the people said unto Samuel, Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Following King Saul's decisive victory over Nahash the Ammonite, the Israelite people, now unified and emboldened by their deliverance, passionately address Samuel. They demand the identification and immediate execution of those individuals who had previously questioned and despised Saul's kingship, demonstrating a fervent, albeit impulsive, loyalty to their newly vindicated leader and a desire to purge any remaining opposition to his reign.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the dramatic account of Saul's initial military triumph, detailed in [1 Samuel 11:1-11](/1_samuel/11-1 "1 Samuel 11:1-11 - Saul's Victory Over the Ammonites"). Prior to this, Saul had been privately anointed by Samuel ([1 Samuel 10:1](/1_samuel/10-1 "1 Samuel 10:1 - Saul Anointed King")) and publicly proclaimed king at Mizpah ([1 Samuel 10:17-24](/1_samuel/10-17 "1 Samuel 10:17-24 - Saul Proclaimed King at Mizpah")). However, his kingship was not universally accepted; a group of "worthless fellows" had expressed contempt and refused to bring him tribute ([1 Samuel 10:27](/1_samuel/10-27 "1 Samuel 10:27 - Those Who Despised Saul")). The victory over the Ammonites, empowered by the Spirit of God ([1 Samuel 11:6](/1_samuel/11-6 "1 Samuel 11:6 - The Spirit of God Comes Upon Saul")), served as a powerful, divine validation of Saul's leadership, transforming popular opinion and setting the stage for the people's zealous demand for retribution against his former detractors.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The early Israelite monarchy emerged from a period of tribal disunity and constant external threats, as seen in the Ammonite aggression against Jabesh-Gilead. The Ammonite demand to gouge out the right eyes of the city's inhabitants was a deliberate act of humiliation and incapacitation, reflecting the brutal nature of ancient warfare and conquest. In this context, a strong, unifying leader was desperately sought. The people's demand for the execution of those who had rejected Saul aligns with ancient Near Eastern practices where a new king's authority was often consolidated through the elimination of opposition. This act would serve as a public demonstration of loyalty and a deterrent against future dissent, reflecting the intense communal honor-shame dynamics prevalent in the culture.
* **Key Themes:** This verse is central to the theme of **divine vindication** of God's chosen leader. Saul's military success, clearly attributed to the Spirit of God, undeniably legitimizes his kingship in the eyes of the people, silencing the earlier opposition mentioned in [1 Samuel 10:27](/1_samuel/10-27 "1 Samuel 10:27 - Opposition to Saul's Kingship"). It also highlights the theme of **popular zeal and impulsiveness**, demonstrating how quickly public sentiment can shift from skepticism to fervent, even vengeful, support. This intense demand for retribution sets up a crucial contrast with Saul's subsequent display of **mercy and magnanimity** in [1 Samuel 11:13](/1_samuel/11-13 "1 Samuel 11:13 - Saul's Act of Clemency"), underscoring the nature of true leadership that transcends immediate human desires for vengeance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Who [is] he that said (Hebrew, _mî hû ha’ōmēr'_):** This interrogative phrase, literally "who is the one saying," functions as a vehement demand for identification rather than a simple question. It conveys the people's indignation and their desire to pinpoint the specific individuals who had dared to speak against Saul's kingship. The participle "saying" (האמר) emphasizes the ongoing nature of their perceived offense, highlighting the gravity of their verbal opposition to God's anointed.
* **put them to death (Hebrew, _nə·mî·ṯām'_):** Derived from the verb מוּת (_mut_), meaning "to die" or "to kill," this phrase expresses an unequivocal and absolute demand for capital punishment. The Hiphil conjugation (causative) implies "to cause to die" or "to execute." This stark and uncompromising language underscores the extreme emotional fervor and unified resolve of the populace, reflecting a desire for total eradication of opposition to their now-validated king, signifying the ultimate consequence for perceived treason.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the people said unto Samuel,"**: This opening clause establishes the collective voice of "the people," indicating a unified and passionate public sentiment. Their address to Samuel, the prophet who anointed Saul and served as a spiritual authority, highlights his continued mediating role between the populace and the newly established monarchy, and implicitly, between the people and God's will.
* **"Who [is] he that said, Shall Saul reign over us?"**: This rhetorical question is charged with indignation and serves as a direct accusation against those who had previously rejected Saul's leadership. It specifically references the "worthless fellows" from [1 Samuel 10:27](/1_samuel/10-27 "1 Samuel 10:27 - Those Who Despised Saul"), whose past contempt is now seen as an intolerable affront, especially in light of Saul's undeniable, God-given victory. The question implies a demand for accountability and severe punishment for such perceived treason.
* **"bring the men, that we may put them to death."**: This command is the culmination of the people's outrage and newfound, zealous loyalty. It is a demand for immediate and ultimate justice, reflecting a desire to purge the nation of any disloyalty or challenge to the king's authority. The phrase "that we may put them to death" underscores their collective will to execute capital punishment, demonstrating the intensity of their fervor and their belief that such a drastic measure is warranted for those who dared to challenge God's chosen king.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices that amplify its dramatic impact. **Dramatic Irony** is evident as the very people who had been divided and some contemptuous of Saul's kingship now vehemently demand retribution against his former detractors, highlighting the volatile and often fickle nature of public opinion. The demand to "put them to death" can be interpreted as **Hyperbole**, an exaggerated expression of extreme loyalty and zeal, rather than a literal expectation of mass execution, though the intent for severe punishment is clear. This intense popular sentiment also serves as powerful **Foreshadowing** for Saul's noble and merciful response in the subsequent verse, setting up a profound **Contrast** between the people's vengeful impulse and the king's magnanimous, God-inspired wisdom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse vividly illustrates the volatile nature of human sentiment and the profound impact of divine vindication. The people's swift shift from skepticism and contempt to zealous, even vengeful, loyalty towards Saul underscores the human tendency to be swayed by immediate success and visible power. Theologically, it highlights how God, in His sovereignty, can use events like Saul's victory to confirm His chosen leader, silencing critics and establishing authority. However, it also raises crucial questions about the appropriate response to opposition, setting the stage for a demonstration of mercy that transcends immediate human impulses for retribution, aligning with a higher divine wisdom that values clemency over vengeance.

* [Proverbs 16:32](/proverbs/16-32 "Proverbs 16:32 - Better to be Patient than Powerful")
* [Matthew 5:7](/matthew/5-7 "Matthew 5:7 - Blessed are the Merciful")
* [Romans 12:19](/romans/12-19 "Romans 12:19 - Vengeance Belongs to the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The passionate demand of the Israelite people in 1 Samuel 11:12 serves as a timeless cautionary tale against the dangers of mob mentality and the impulsive pursuit of vengeance. While their newfound loyalty to Saul was understandable given his miraculous victory, their immediate call for capital punishment against dissenters reveals how easily collective emotion can override principles of justice, mercy, and due process. For believers today, this passage underscores the importance of exercising discernment, even when swept up in popular enthusiasm. It challenges us to reflect on our own reactions to those who oppose or criticize, reminding us that true strength and godly leadership often involve extending grace and forgiveness, rather than seeking retribution. Just as God vindicated Saul through his actions, we are called to trust in God's timing for vindication and to embody His character of mercy, rather than succumbing to the human desire for immediate, often harsh, justice.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I respond when I feel vindicated or when someone I support is vindicated? Is my first impulse justice or mercy?**
* **In what ways might I be susceptible to a "mob mentality" in my community, church, or even online interactions?**
* **How does Saul's subsequent response in 1 Samuel 11:13 challenge my understanding of leadership and forgiveness?**
* **When have I seen God's timing bring about vindication, and what did that teach me about patience and trust?**

### FAQ
**Why were the people so eager to put these men to death?**

Answer: The people's eagerness stemmed from a dramatic and immediate shift in public sentiment following Saul's decisive victory over the Ammonites. Prior to this triumph, a faction had openly questioned and despised Saul's kingship, refusing to acknowledge his authority ([1 Samuel 10:27](/1_samuel/10-27 "1 Samuel 10:27 - Those Who Despised Saul")). Saul's military success, clearly empowered by the Spirit of God ([1 Samuel 11:6](/1_samuel/11-6 "1 Samuel 11:6 - The Spirit of God Comes Upon Saul")), served as undeniable proof of his divine appointment and capability. The people, now unified and zealous in their support for their proven leader, viewed the previous dissenters as traitors who had defied God's chosen king. Their demand for execution was a passionate, albeit impulsive, expression of newfound loyalty and a desire to purge the nation of any perceived disloyalty, thereby solidifying Saul's reign through a display of severe, immediate justice.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The people's fervent demand for retribution in 1 Samuel 11:12, born from Saul's vindication as king, finds its ultimate contrast and fulfillment in the kingship of Jesus Christ. Unlike Saul, who was a human king appointed by God and whose authority was initially questioned, Jesus is the eternal, divine King whose authority needed no earthly military victory to be established, though His resurrection served as the ultimate divine vindication of His claims and power ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Jesus Declared Son of God by Resurrection")). While the people of Israel sought to execute those who opposed their king, Jesus, the true King, came not to condemn the world but to save it ([John 3:17](/john/3-17 "John 3:17 - Jesus Came to Save the World")). He did not demand the death of His detractors but rather offered His own life as a redemptive sacrifice for their sins ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve and Give His Life")). His reign is characterized by mercy, forgiveness, and reconciliation, extending grace even to those who reject and crucify Him ([Luke 23:34](/luke/23-34 "Luke 23:34 - Jesus Forgives His Executioners")). The ultimate "putting to death" under Christ's reign is the putting to death of sin and the old self, leading to new life in Him ([Romans 6:6](/romans/6-6 "Romans 6:6 - Our Old Self Crucified with Christ")), rather than the physical execution of His enemies. He is the King who conquers not by vengeance, but by love and self-sacrifice, inviting all to enter His kingdom through repentance and faith, offering life where the world demands death.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 10:27

But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.

Luke 19:27

But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay [them] before me.

Psalms 21:8

Thine hand shall find out all thine enemies: thy right hand shall find out those that hate thee.