1 Samuel 11:7

KJV

And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent [them] throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he took {H3947} a yoke {H6776} of oxen {H1241}, and hewed them in pieces {H5408}, and sent {H7971} them throughout all the coasts {H1366} of Israel {H3478} by the hands {H3027} of messengers {H4397}, saying {H559}, Whosoever cometh not forth {H3318} after {H310} Saul {H7586} and after {H310} Samuel {H8050}, so shall it be done {H6213} unto his oxen {H1241}. And the fear {H6343} of the LORD {H3068} fell {H5307} on the people {H5971}, and they came out {H3318} with one {H259} consent {H376}.

Complete Jewish Bible

he seized a pair of oxen and cut them in pieces; then he sent them throughout the territory of Isra'el with messengers saying, "Anyone who doesn't come and follow Sha'ul and Sh'mu'el, this is what will be done to his oxen!"The fear of ADONAI fell on the people, and they came out with united hearts.

Berean Standard Bible

He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent them by messengers throughout the land of Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not march behind Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the LORD fell upon the people, and they turned out as one man.

American Standard Version

And he took a yoke of oxen, and cut them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the borders of Israel by the hand of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the dread of Jehovah fell on the people, and they came out as one man.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 11:7 recounts King Saul's dramatic and decisive act of taking a yoke of oxen, hewing them into pieces, and sending the parts throughout Israel as a visceral summons to war against the Ammonites. This ancient Near Eastern custom served as a dire warning: those who failed to rally behind Saul and Samuel would suffer a similar fate. Crucially, the verse highlights that "the fear of the LORD fell on the people," compelling them to respond "with one consent," demonstrating God's direct intervention in uniting His fragmented people under their newly appointed king.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks a pivotal moment in Saul's early reign, immediately following his anointing by Samuel ([1 Samuel 10](/1_samuel/10 "1 Samuel 10 - Saul's Anointing")) and his initial, somewhat hesitant, public presentation as king. The narrative prior to this verse establishes the dire threat posed by Nahash the Ammonite against Jabesh-Gilead, including the brutal demand for the right eyes of its inhabitants ([1 Samuel 11:1-4](/1_samuel/11-1 "1 Samuel 11:1-4 - Nahash's Threat to Jabesh-Gilead")). Saul's response in [1 Samuel 11:6](/1_samuel/11-6 "1 Samuel 11:6 - The Spirit of God Rushes Upon Saul") is explicitly attributed to the Spirit of God rushing upon him, transforming him from a humble, even hidden, figure ([1 Samuel 10:22](/1_samuel/10-22 "1 Samuel 10:22 - Saul Hides Among the Baggage")) into a decisive leader. Verse 7 serves as the immediate catalyst for the successful military campaign that follows, culminating in Saul's confirmation as king at Gilgal ([1 Samuel 11:12-15](/1_samuel/11-12 "1 Samuel 11:12-15 - Saul Confirmed as King")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** At this time, Israel was not a unified monarchy but a loose confederation of tribes, often acting independently or even in conflict with one another. The Ammonite threat was a common danger from the east, and Nahash's demand was a particularly cruel act of dehumanization and subjugation. Saul's act of dismembering oxen and sending the pieces was a recognized, albeit extreme, ancient Near Eastern custom. Similar acts are recorded in other cultures and even in Israel's past, such as the Levite's dismemberment of his concubine in [Judges 19:29](/judges/19-29 "Judges 19:29 - The Levite's Dismembered Concubine") to summon the tribes to justice. This custom served as a powerful, visceral summons to war, a covenant curse, or a dire warning, indicating that a similar fate awaited those who failed to respond. It bypassed the need for complex communication systems and conveyed an urgent, undeniable message to a largely agrarian society.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes. First, it highlights **Divine Empowerment for Leadership**: Saul's decisive action is not merely human initiative but a direct result of the Spirit of God rushing upon him ([1 Samuel 11:6](/1_samuel/11-6 "1 Samuel 11:6 - The Spirit of God Rushes Upon Saul")), demonstrating that true leadership for God's people is divinely sanctioned and enabled. Second, it showcases **Unity through Crisis**: God uses the external threat of the Ammonites and Saul's drastic, Spirit-inspired response to overcome Israel's inherent tribal disunity, forging a unified army. This foreshadows the need for a strong, centralized monarchy to protect the nation. Finally, the theme of the **Fear of the LORD** is paramount. This is not mere human terror but a divinely inspired awe and reverence that compels obedience and action, a recurring motif throughout Israel's history, as seen when the people feared the Lord after the Red Sea crossing in [Exodus 14:31](/exodus/14-31 "Exodus 14:31 - Israel Fears the LORD After the Red Sea").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Oxen (Hebrew, _bāqār'_):** These animals were fundamental to ancient Israelite agrarian life, serving as beasts of burden for plowing and transportation, and as a primary source of meat and sacrifice. To "hew them in pieces" was not merely a symbolic gesture but a direct attack on the very means of livelihood, making the warning intensely personal and terrifying. The destruction of such valuable assets underscored the extreme urgency and severity of the summons.
* **Hewed them in pieces (Hebrew, _nāthaḥ'_):** This verb signifies a violent, decisive act of cutting or slaughtering, often associated with dismemberment. The choice of this word emphasizes the gruesome and shocking nature of Saul's action, intended to convey an undeniable and visceral threat. It was a stark visual message, leaving no room for misinterpretation regarding the consequences of disobedience.
* **Fear of the LORD (Hebrew, _paḥad Yahweh'_):** This phrase denotes a profound, divinely inspired awe and reverence, often leading to obedience and righteous action, rather than simple human terror or dread. In this context, it signifies God's direct spiritual intervention in the hearts of the people, overriding their tribal loyalties, hesitations, or apathy. It was a supernatural influence that compelled them to unity and action, demonstrating God's active hand in fulfilling His purposes through Saul.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces":** This clause describes Saul's immediate and dramatic response to the crisis in Jabesh-Gilead. Empowered by the Spirit of God, he adopts an ancient, visceral method of summons, demonstrating his decisive and uncompromising leadership. The act itself is shocking and designed to grab immediate attention.
* **"and sent [them] throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen":** This details the dissemination of the warning. The dismembered oxen serve as a terrifying visual aid, accompanying a verbal threat that explicitly links the fate of the oxen to the fate of those who refuse to rally. The inclusion of Samuel alongside Saul emphasizes the divine sanction and prophetic authority behind the summons, legitimizing Saul's call to arms.
* **"And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent":** This crucial clause reveals the divine catalyst for Israel's unprecedented unity. It was not merely the human threat that moved them, but a supernatural "fear of the LORD" – a divinely instilled awe and urgency – that overcame their historical disunity and hesitation. The result was a remarkable, immediate, and unified response from all the tribes, demonstrating God's active hand in gathering His people for His purposes.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Symbolism** is central, with the dismembered oxen serving as a stark symbol of the dire consequences awaiting those who fail to respond to the call for national defense. This **visual imagery** is designed to evoke a strong emotional and visceral reaction, emphasizing the urgency and severity of the situation. The phrase "the fear of the LORD fell on the people" indicates **divine intervention**, highlighting God's direct, unseen influence on the hearts of the Israelites, transforming their will. Furthermore, there is an element of **contrast** between Saul's previously humble and even hidden demeanor ([1 Samuel 10:22](/1_samuel/10-22 "1 Samuel 10:22 - Saul Hides Among the Baggage")) and his sudden, decisive, and terrifying act of leadership, underscoring the transformative power of the Spirit of God upon him. The phrase "with one consent" also functions as **hyperbole** to emphasize the remarkable and unprecedented unity achieved.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 11:7 powerfully illustrates God's sovereign ability to use human leaders and even dramatic, unconventional means to accomplish His divine purposes, particularly in unifying His people for a common cause. The "fear of the LORD" is a profound theological concept, not merely terror, but a reverential awe that compels obedience and righteous action. Here, it is the divine catalyst that overcomes deep-seated tribal divisions, demonstrating that true unity among God's people is ultimately a work of His Spirit, not merely human coercion. This episode establishes Saul's leadership as divinely sanctioned and reveals God's commitment to protecting His covenant people, even through a newly established monarchy.

* [Judges 19:29](/judges/19-29 "Judges 19:29 - The Levite's Dismembered Concubine")
* [Exodus 14:31](/exodus/14-31 "Exodus 14:31 - Israel Fears the LORD After the Red Sea")
* [Nehemiah 4:14](/nehemiah/4-14 "Nehemiah 4:14 - Nehemiah Appeals to the Fear of the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This passage offers profound insights into divine leadership, unity, and the nature of obedience. Just as God empowered Saul and instilled a unifying "fear of the LORD" in His people, He continues to call and equip leaders today within His church and in the world. For believers, this verse challenges us to consider our response when God calls for bold action or unity in the face of spiritual or societal threats. Do we allow tribalism, apathy, or fear to hinder our collective response, or do we, like Israel, respond "with one consent" when the Spirit of God moves? A healthy reverence for the Lord—a "fear of the LORD" that inspires awe and obedience—is still essential for us to align with God's purposes, overcome divisions, and participate effectively in His kingdom work, even when it requires personal sacrifice or uncomfortable steps.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's Spirit empower leaders today, and what does that empowerment look like in action within the church or community?**
* **In what ways might God use challenging circumstances or external threats to bring about greater unity among His people in contemporary contexts?**
* **What does a healthy "fear of the LORD" mean for our personal obedience and commitment to God's call in our lives, especially when it requires stepping out of our comfort zone?**

### FAQ
**Was Saul's act of cutting the oxen a common practice in ancient times?**

Answer: Yes, while shocking to modern sensibilities, the act of dismembering an animal and sending its parts as a summons or warning was a known, albeit extreme, practice in the ancient Near East. It served as a powerful, visceral message to rally people for war, to signify a broken covenant, or to issue a dire threat. A similar, though more horrific, act is recorded in [Judges 19:29](/judges/19-29 "Judges 19:29 - The Levite's Dismembered Concubine"), where a Levite dismembers his concubine to summon the tribes to justice. In Saul's case, it was a clear and unmistakable call to arms, conveying the message that those who failed to respond would suffer a similar fate to the oxen.

**What does "the fear of the LORD" mean in this context, and how did it influence the people?**

Answer: "The fear of the LORD" here does not primarily mean terror or dread, but rather a profound, divinely inspired awe, reverence, and respect that leads to obedience and action. It signifies God's direct spiritual influence on the hearts of the people, overcoming their natural hesitation, apathy, or tribal disunity. It was a supernatural catalyst that moved them to respond "with one consent." This concept is seen throughout Scripture, where the fear of the Lord leads to wisdom ([Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom")) and prompts righteous action, as when Israel feared the Lord after witnessing His power at the Red Sea in [Exodus 14:31](/exodus/14-31 "Exodus 14:31 - Israel Fears the LORD After the Red Sea").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Samuel 11:7 depicts an earthly king's dramatic call to arms, it ultimately points to the ultimate King, Jesus Christ, and His call to His people. Saul's Spirit-empowered leadership foreshadows Christ, who was fully anointed by the Holy Spirit without measure ([John 3:34](/john/3-34 "John 3:34 - The Spirit Without Measure")). Just as Saul gathered a fragmented Israel, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, gathers His scattered sheep, declaring, "I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd" ([John 10:16](/john/10-16 "John 10:16 - Jesus the Good Shepherd Gathers His Sheep")). The "fear of the LORD" that compelled Israel to unity finds its New Testament parallel in the reverent awe and loving obedience that believers owe to Christ, our King and Lord. It is this profound reverence for Him that unites the diverse members of His body, the Church, enabling them to act "with one consent" in fulfilling the Great Commission ([Matthew 28:18-20](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18-20 - The Great Commission")). The unity achieved under Saul was temporary and imperfect, but the unity of believers in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is spiritual and eternal, reflecting the very nature of the triune God ([Ephesians 4:3-6](/ephesians/4-3 "Ephesians 4:3-6 - Unity in the Spirit")).

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

Judges 19:29

And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on his concubine, and divided her, [together] with her bones, into twelve pieces, and sent her into all the coasts of Israel.

Judges 20:1

¶ Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beersheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh.

Judges 21:5

And the children of Israel said, Who [is there] among all the tribes of Israel that came not up with the congregation unto the LORD? For they had made a great oath concerning him that came not up to the LORD to Mizpeh, saying, He shall surely be put to death.

Judges 21:11

And this [is] the thing that ye shall do, Ye shall utterly destroy every male, and every woman that hath lain by man.

Genesis 35:5

And they journeyed: and the terror of God was upon the cities that [were] round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob.

2 Chronicles 17:10

¶ And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that [were] round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat.

2 Chronicles 14:14

And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the fear of the LORD came upon them: and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them.