1 Samuel11

Nahash the Ammonite besieged Jabesh-Gilead, demanding the right eyes of its inhabitants as a condition for covenant, which prompted the city to seek aid from Israel. Upon hearing the news, Saul was empowered by the Spirit of God and rallied a vast Israelite army. He led a decisive victory against the Ammonites, utterly scattering them. Following this triumph, Saul mercifully refused to punish those who had previously questioned his reign, and the kingdom was formally renewed at Gilgal.
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Nahash Threatens Jabesh-gilead

1
Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabesh-gilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee. ​
2
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. ​
3
And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days’ respite, that we may send messengers unto all the borders of Israel; and then, if there be none to save us, we will come out to thee.
4
Then came the messengers to Gibeah of Saul, and spake these words in the ears of the people: and all the people lifted up their voice, and wept.
5
And, behold, Saul came following the oxen out of the field; and Saul said, What aileth the people that they weep? And they told him the words of the men of Jabesh. ​

Saul Rises to Deliver Israel

6
And the Spirit of God came mightily upon Saul when he heard those words, and his anger was kindled greatly. ​
7
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. ​
8
And he numbered them in Bezek; and the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand. ​
9
And they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall ye say unto the men of Jabesh-gilead, To-morrow, by the time the sun is hot, ye shall have deliverance. And the messengers came and told the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.
10
Therefore the men of Jabesh said, To-morrow we will come out unto you, and ye shall do with us all that seemeth good unto you.
11
And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch, and smote the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they that remained were scattered, so that not two of them were left together. ​

Saul Confirmed as King at Gilgal

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 Jehovah hath wrought deliverance 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 Jehovah in Gilgal; and there they offered sacrifices of peace-offerings before Jehovah; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly. ​

Study Notes for 1 Samuel 11

Verse 1

Nahash the Ammonite frequently harassed the Israelite tribes east of the Jordan. Jabesh-gilead, a city in Gilead, was strategically important but often isolated, making it an easy target for foreign aggression.

Verse 2

The demand to gouge out the right eye was a calculated act of humiliation and warfare. A soldier holding a shield would protect his left eye, leaving the right eye vulnerable; thus, this injury would effectively incapacitate the men for battle.

Verse 5

Saul was still engaged in ordinary agricultural labor in his hometown of Gibeah, demonstrating that despite Samuel’s private anointing (ch. 10), he had not yet assumed the trappings of royalty.

Verse 6

The coming of the 'Spirit of God' upon Saul is the divine empowerment that transforms him from a reluctant civilian into a decisive military leader, mirroring the pattern seen in the Judges (e.g., Gideon, Samson).

Verse 7

This dramatic act of dismembering oxen and sending the pieces throughout Israel was an ancient, powerful method of mandatory military summons, symbolizing the fate awaiting those who refused to rally to the cause. This display of decisive authority was crucial for establishing Saul’s leadership.

Verse 8

The large number of troops (330,000 total) indicates the effectiveness of Saul's summons and the unified response of the tribes, successfully demonstrating the potential for centralized action under a king.

Verse 11

The attack during the 'morning watch' (the final watch of the night, roughly 3 AM to 6 AM) was a successful surprise assault, utilizing darkness and preparation to overwhelm the Ammonite forces.

Verse 12

Following the victory, the people, eager to solidify the monarchy, demanded vengeance against the earlier detractors (10:27). This action reflects the typical desire of a newly established regime to eliminate opposition.

Verse 13

Saul’s refusal to execute his opponents is a moment of profound political wisdom and magnanimity, demonstrating that he credits the victory entirely to God, thereby beginning his reign with grace rather than bloodshed.

Verse 15

The assembly at Gilgal, a site of historical significance (where Israel first encamped after crossing the Jordan), formalizes Saul’s kingship before the LORD, transforming his private anointing into a public, national covenant.

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