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

Soon Nahash the Ammonite came up and laid siege to Jabesh-gilead. All the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.”

But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you on one condition, that I may put out everyone’s right eye and bring reproach upon all Israel.”

“Hold off for seven days,” replied the elders of Jabesh, “and let us send messengers throughout Israel. If there is no one to save us, we will surrender to you.”

When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and relayed these words in the hearing of the people, they all wept aloud.

Just then Saul was returning from the field, behind his oxen. “What troubles the people?” asked Saul. “Why are they weeping?” And they relayed to him the words of the men from Jabesh.

Saul Rises to Deliver Israel

When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he burned with great anger.

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.

And when Saul numbered them at Bezek, there were 300,000 Israelites and 30,000 men of Judah.

So they said to the messengers who had come, “Tell the men of Jabesh-gilead: ‘Deliverance will be yours tomorrow by the time the sun is hot.’” And when the messengers relayed this to the men of Jabesh, they rejoiced.

Then the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Tomorrow we will come out, and you can do with us whatever seems good to you.”

The next day Saul organized the troops into three divisions, and during the morning watch they invaded the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them, until the hottest part of the day. And the survivors were so scattered that no two of them were left together.

Saul Confirmed as King at Gilgal

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

But Saul ordered, “No one shall be put to death this day, for today the LORD has worked salvation in Israel.”

Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingship there.”

So all the people went to Gilgal and confirmed Saul as king in the presence of the LORD. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the LORD, and Saul and all the Israelites 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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1 Samuel11

Nahash Threatens Jabesh-gilead

Saul Rises to Deliver Israel

Saul Confirmed as King at Gilgal

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