1 Samuel 11:2

And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this [condition] will I make [a covenant] with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it [for] a reproach upon all Israel.

And Nahash {H5176} the Ammonite {H5984} answered {H559} them, On this {H2063} condition will I make {H3772} a covenant with you, that I may thrust out {H5365} all your right {H3225} eyes {H5869}, and lay {H7760} it for a reproach {H2781} upon all Israel {H3478}.

Nachash the 'Amoni replied, "I'll do it on this condition: that all your right eyes be gouged out and thus bring disgrace on all of Isra'el."

But Nahash the Ammonite replied, โ€œI will make a treaty with you on one condition, that I may put out everyoneโ€™s right eye and bring reproach upon all Israel.โ€

And Nahash the Ammonite said unto them, On this condition will I make it with you, that all your right eyes be put out; and I will lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.

Commentary

1 Samuel 11:2 captures a chilling moment in Israel's history, revealing the brutal demands of Nahash, King of the Ammonites, upon the besieged city of Jabesh-Gilead. This verse sets the stage for King Saul's first significant act of leadership and deliverance.

Context

The city of Jabesh-Gilead, located on the east side of the Jordan River, found itself under siege by Nahash the Ammonite. In desperation, the city elders sought to make a covenant (peace treaty) with Nahash. However, Nahash's terms were horrific: he would only agree to a treaty if he could gouge out the right eye of every inhabitant. This act was not merely a physical mutilation but a calculated move to inflict profound reproach and humiliation upon all Israel. It would render the men militarily useless, unable to effectively use a shield while fighting, and serve as a lasting symbol of Israel's weakness and disgrace. The news of this demand quickly spread, reaching Saul and prompting a divine response that would confirm his kingship, as seen when the Spirit of God came upon Saul.

Key Themes

  • Brutality and Humiliation: Nahash's demand highlights the extreme cruelty often employed in ancient warfare, aimed not just at conquest but at the utter degradation of the defeated. The act of "thrusting out all your right eyes" was designed to cripple and shame, ensuring that the survivors would forever bear the mark of their subjugation.
  • National Reproach: The phrase "lay it for a reproach upon all Israel" underscores that Nahash's intent was to publicly disgrace the entire nation, challenging their God and their newly appointed king. This act of contempt directly provoked God's chosen people.
  • Divine Intervention and Deliverance: This desperate situation served as a catalyst for God to demonstrate His power through Saul. The severity of the threat underscored the urgent need for a king who could unite and lead Israel, fulfilling the people's desire for a king to lead them in battle and deliver them from their enemies.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "reproach" is cherpah (ื—ืจืคื”), which signifies more than just shame; it denotes a deep disgrace, scorn, insult, or humiliation that brings public dishonor. Nahash's demand was a deliberate act of cherpah, meant to brand Israel as weak and incapable of defending itself. The act of removing the right eye was particularly debilitating for warriors, as the right eye was essential for accurate aiming with a spear or sword while holding a shield with the left arm. This made the proposed mutilation both a physical and symbolic emasculation.

Reflection

This verse reminds us that throughout history, oppressors have sought not only to dominate but also to demoralize and disgrace. Nahash's cruel terms were a test of Israel's faith and a challenge to God's covenant with His people. However, in moments of extreme vulnerability, God often raises up unexpected deliverers. For the people of Jabesh-Gilead, this moment of despair led to Saul's decisive victory, showcasing God's commitment to His people and His ability to turn reproach into triumph. It encourages us to look for God's intervention even in the face of seemingly insurmountable and humiliating challenges.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 17:26

    And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who [is] this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

  • Genesis 34:14

    And they said unto them, We cannot do this thing, to give our sister to one that is uncircumcised; for that [were] a reproach unto us:

  • Numbers 16:14

    Moreover thou hast not brought us into a land that floweth with milk and honey, or given us inheritance of fields and vineyards: wilt thou put out the eyes of these men? we will not come up.

  • Jeremiah 39:7

    Moreover he put out Zedekiah's eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon.

  • Proverbs 12:10

    ยถ A righteous [man] regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked [are] cruel.

  • 2 Kings 18:31

    Hearken not to Hezekiah: for thus saith the king of Assyria, Make [an agreement] with me by a present, and come out to me, and [then] eat ye every man of his own vine, and every one of his fig tree, and drink ye every one the waters of his cistern:

  • Judges 16:21

    But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.
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