TRV
Translation
King James Version
Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.
Complete Jewish Bible
Then Sh'mu'el said to the people, "Come, let's go to Gilgal and inaugurate the kingship there.
Berean Standard Bible
Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingship there.”
American Standard Version
Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.
World English Bible Messianic
Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.”
Geneva Bible (1599)
Then saide Samuel vnto ye people, Come, that we may goe to Gilgal, and renue the kingdome there.
Young's Literal Translation
And Samuel saith unto the people, `Come and we go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there;'
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In the KJVVerse 7,460 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on 1 Samuel 11 verses 12–15
12 ¶ 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.
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.
14 Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.
15 And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.
We have here the improvement of the glorious victory which Saul had obtained, not the improvement of it abroad, though we take it for granted that the men of Jabesh-Gilead, having so narrowly saved their right eyes, would with them now discern the opportunity they had of avenging themselves upon these cruel enemies and disabling them from ever straitening them in like manner again; now shall they be avenged on the Ammonites for their right eyes condemned, as Samson on the Philistines for his two eyes put out, Jdg 16:28. But the account here given is of the improvement of this victory at home.
I. The people took this occasion to show their jealousy for the honour of Saul, and their resentment of the indignities done him. Samuel, it seems, was present, if not in the action (it was too far for him to march) yet to meet them when they returned victorious; and to him, as judge, the motion was made (for they knew Saul would not be judge in his own cause) that the sons of Belial that would not have him to reign over them should be brought forth and slain, Sa1 11:12. Saul's good fortune (as foolish men commonly call it) went further with them to confirm his title than either his choice by lot or Samuel's anointing him. They had not courage thus to move for the prosecution of those that opposed him when he himself looked mean, but, now that his victory made him look great, nothing would serve but they must be put to death.
II. Saul took this occasion to give further proofs of his clemency, for, without waiting for Samuel's answer, he himself quashed the motion (Sa1 11:13): There shall not a man be put to death this day, no, not those men, those bad men, that had abused him, and therein reflected on God himself, 1. Because it was a day of joy and triumph: "To day the Lord has wrought salvation in Israel; and, since God has been so good to us all, let us not be harsh one to another. Now that God has made the heart of Israel in general so glad, let not us make sad the hearts of any particular Israelites." 2. Because he hoped they were by this day's work brought to a better temper, were now convinced that this man, under God, could save them, now honoured him whom before they had despised; and, if they are but reclaimed, he is secured from receiving any disturbance by them, and therefore his point is gained. If an enemy be made a friend, that will be more to our advantage than to have him slain. And all good princes consider that their power is for edification, not for destruction.
III. Samuel took this occasion to call the people together before the Lord in Gilgal, Sa1 11:14, Sa1 11:15. 1. That they might publicly give God thanks for their late victory. There they rejoiced greatly, and, that God might have the praise of that which they had the comfort of, they sacrificed to him, as the giver of all their successes, sacrifices of peace-offerings. 2. That they might confirm Saul in the government, more solemnly than had been yet done, that he might not retire again to his obscurity. Samuel would have the kingdom renewed; he would renew his resignation, and the people should renew their approbation, and so in concurrence with, or rather in attendance upon, the divine nomination, they made Saul king, making it their own act and deed to submit to him.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 12–15. Public domain.
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BedeAD 735
Commentary on Samuel
And all the people went to Gilgal, etc. Upon hearing the exhortation of their spiritual teachers, the people grew in faith and in the knowledge of the truth, and in the revelation of the heart, illuminating themselves by humbling and despising themselves, sought the glory of Christ in everything, and exalted his name among each other, and for the peace of the Church offered whatever they could of their devotion before the Lord.
BedeAD 735
Commentary on Samuel
But Samuel said to the people who were coming: Let us go to Gilgal, etc. With the heretics vanquished, condemned, or corrected, any perfect teacher says to the Church subject to him: Come, with the face of the heart unveiled, let us contemplate the glory of the Lord. For Gilgal is indeed called revelation. And the more we are renewed in the spirit of our mind in the knowledge of him who created us, the more we see the dangers of those we have conquered; because remaining in oldness, they did not want to reveal their way to the Lord and hope in him, nor to supplicate him confidently, and say: Reveal our eyes, that we may behold the wonders of your law (Psalm CXVIII).
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
1 Samuel 11:14 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's transition to monarchy, where the prophet Samuel, leveraging the national unity and enthusiasm following Saul's decisive victory over the Ammonites, formally consolidates Saul's kingship. This verse orchestrates a solemn assembly at Gilgal, a site steeped in Israelite history and covenant renewal, to publicly affirm Saul's divine appointment and establish the nascent kingdom on a firm, unified foundation, moving beyond initial skepticism to widespread acceptance.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse immediately follows Saul's triumphant military campaign against Nahash the Ammonite, which culminated in the decisive rescue of Jabesh-Gilead (1 Samuel 11:1-13). Saul's swift and divinely empowered victory silenced the dissenters who had previously questioned his leadership (compare the skepticism towards Saul's kingship in 1 Samuel 10:27). The people, now unified and enthusiastic, even sought to execute those who had opposed Saul (1 Samuel 11:12), but Saul, demonstrating a nascent kingly magnanimity, refused. Samuel, ever the wise spiritual leader, seizes this moment of national fervor and newfound unity to transition from a military triumph to a formal, covenantal establishment of the monarchy, ensuring that the people's enthusiasm is channeled into a divinely sanctioned act of commitment. The subsequent verse, 1 Samuel 11:15, details the actual coronation and sacrifices at Gilgal.
Historical & Cultural Context: The period described in 1 Samuel is one of significant transition for Israel, moving from a tribal confederacy led by charismatic judges to a centralized monarchy. The people's demand for a king, as recorded in 1 Samuel 8, was met with divine allowance but also prophetic warning. Gilgal itself holds immense historical and spiritual significance. It was the first encampment of Israel after crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land, as detailed in Joshua 4:19, where the reproach of Egypt was "rolled away" through renewed circumcision and the first Passover in Canaan was observed, as recounted in Joshua 5:9. Gilgal served as a base for Joshua's campaigns, a place of covenant renewal, and a site for divine encounters. Its selection for the renewal of the kingdom was not arbitrary; it invoked deep historical memory and underscored the notion that the monarchy, though a new institution, was rooted in Israel's foundational covenant relationship with God.
Key Themes: This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within 1 Samuel and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it highlights the Confirmation of Kingship, demonstrating that Saul's military success served as a divine sign of his fitness to rule, transforming his theoretical appointment into a practically accepted reality for all Israel. Secondly, it underscores National Unity and Commitment, as the call to Gilgal was an invitation for the entire nation to participate in a solemn ceremony, symbolizing a collective agreement to move forward under God's chosen leader and fostering a crucial sense of national cohesion after a period of tribal disunity. Thirdly, it reinforces the Divine Mandate for the monarchy; despite the people's initial request for a king, Samuel consistently emphasized that Saul's appointment was ultimately from God, and the ceremony at Gilgal served as a public acknowledgment of this divine grounding. Finally, the event marks a crucial Transition to Monarchy, signaling a decisive shift from the ad-hoc leadership of judges to a more structured, albeit still developing, governmental system, with Samuel playing a vital role in guiding Israel through this momentous change.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The passage makes effective use of Symbolism, particularly through the choice of Gilgal as the location for the kingdom's renewal. Gilgal is not merely a geographical point but a powerful symbol of new beginnings, covenant faithfulness, and national identity, connecting the nascent monarchy to Israel's foundational history and divine promises. This symbolic resonance elevates the event from a mere political gathering to a sacred act. There is also an element of Dramatic Irony present for the reader who knows the full narrative of Saul's reign. While this moment at Gilgal signifies unity and the renewal of the kingdom under Saul's leadership, it is tragically ironic that Gilgal will later become the site of Saul's rejection by God through Samuel, due to his disobedience (see 1 Samuel 15). This contrast between the joyous, unifying renewal and the later, sorrowful rejection underscores the conditional nature of the earthly kingship and the ultimate sovereignty of God. Furthermore, Samuel's authoritative declaration exemplifies Prophetic Authority, as he acts as God's spokesperson, guiding the people in this crucial national and spiritual transition.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The formal establishment of the monarchy at Gilgal, initiated by Samuel, underscores the intricate relationship between divine sovereignty and human agency in God's plan for Israel. While the people had demanded a king, reflecting a desire to be "like all the nations" (1 Samuel 8:5), God, through Samuel, ultimately guided the process, ensuring that the king was chosen by divine mandate and the kingdom established on a foundation of covenant. This event highlights that true leadership, even in a human institution like monarchy, must be rooted in God's will and dedicated to His purposes. The "renewal" at Gilgal emphasizes the importance of recommitment and fresh starts in the life of faith, both individually and corporately, reminding us that God is always able to restore and re-establish what is broken or uncertain.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The call to Gilgal to "renew the kingdom" serves as a powerful metaphor for the ongoing need for renewal and recommitment in our own lives, communities, and institutions. Just as Israel needed a formal, public act to solidify their new governmental structure and unify the nation under God's chosen leader, we too are often called to renew our commitments—whether to God, to our families, to our vocations, or to our communities. This renewal is not merely a superficial change but a deep, intentional re-establishment of purpose and allegiance, often following a period of trial or uncertainty, much like Saul's victory preceded this event. It reminds us that true progress and lasting unity are often forged in moments of collective dedication and public acknowledgment of divine guidance. The choice of Gilgal, a place of historical covenant, further impresses upon us the importance of grounding our new endeavors and renewed commitments in the foundational truths and principles of our faith, ensuring that our actions are not merely pragmatic but spiritually anchored.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was Gilgal chosen for the renewal of the kingdom?
Answer: Gilgal was chosen for its profound historical and spiritual significance to Israel. It was the first encampment of the Israelites after crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land, as recorded in Joshua 4:19, where they renewed their covenant with God through circumcision and celebrated the first Passover in Canaan, as seen in Joshua 5:9. It symbolized new beginnings, the removal of past reproach, and a place where God's presence was powerfully manifested. By choosing Gilgal, Samuel connected the new institution of monarchy to Israel's foundational covenant history, imbuing the act of "renewing the kingdom" with deep spiritual resonance and legitimacy, grounding it in God's faithfulness to His people.
What does "renew the kingdom" mean in this context, given that Saul was already chosen as king?
Answer: The phrase "renew the kingdom" (Hebrew: châdash) does not imply creating a kingdom from scratch, as Saul had already been anointed by Samuel (1 Samuel 10:1) and chosen by lot (1 Samuel 10:20-24). Instead, it signifies a formal, public, and national affirmation and consolidation of Saul's kingship. Prior to his victory over the Ammonites, some had questioned Saul's ability to rule, as noted in 1 Samuel 10:27. His decisive military success united the nation and silenced dissent. Therefore, "renewing the kingdom" at Gilgal was an act of public commitment, solidifying the people's allegiance to Saul, formally establishing the monarchy as a national institution, and dedicating it before God. It was a moment of covenant renewal and a fresh start for the nation under its new form of governance.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The establishment and renewal of Israel's earthly kingdom under Saul at Gilgal, while significant, ultimately foreshadows the perfect and eternal kingdom of God established through Jesus Christ. Saul's kingship, though divinely appointed, was flawed and temporary, eventually leading to his rejection and the need for a new king from a different lineage. This earthly monarchy, with its cycles of obedience and disobedience, points to the ultimate need for a King who would perfectly fulfill God's will and establish an everlasting reign. Jesus, the true Son of David, is the King who does not merely "renew" a temporary kingdom but inaugurates a new covenant and an eternal, spiritual kingdom that will never end, as prophesied in Luke 1:33. Just as the people gathered at Gilgal to affirm Saul, believers are called to gather and affirm Christ as their Lord and King, submitting to His perfect rule. The "renewal" at Gilgal, rooted in Israel's past covenant, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who offers a true and lasting renewal of the human heart and a new creation for all who believe, ushering in a kingdom of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, as described in Romans 14:17.