1 Samuel
Summary
1 Samuel Chapter 11 describes Saul’s first major military victory, which solidifies his kingship. When Nahash the Ammonite besieges Jabesh Gilead and demands the humiliation of gouging out the right eye of every inhabitant, the town seeks help. When Saul hears the news, the Spirit of God comes upon him in anger. He mobilises an army of three hundred and thirty thousand men and completely routs the Ammonites. Following this victory, the people go to Gilgal and joyfully reaffirm Saul’s kingship before the LORD with sacrifices and great celebration.
Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh Gilead. And all the men of Jabesh said to him, "Make a treaty with us, and we will be subject to you."
But Nahash the Ammonite replied, "I will make a treaty with you only on the condition that I gouge out the right eye of every one of you and so bring disgrace on all Israel."
The elders of Jabesh said to him, "Give us seven days so we can send messengers throughout Israel; if no one comes to rescue us, we will surrender to you."
When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and reported these terms to the people, they all wept aloud.
Just then Saul was returning from the fields, behind his oxen, and he asked, "What is wrong with the people? Why are they weeping?" Then they repeated to him what the men of Jabesh had said.
When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger.
He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel, proclaiming, "This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel." Then the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out together as one.
When Saul mustered them at Bezek, the men of Israel numbered three hundred thousand and those of Judah thirty thousand.
They told the messengers who had come, "Say to the men of Jabesh Gilead, 'By the time the sun is hot tomorrow, you will be rescued.'" When the messengers went and reported this to the men of Jabesh, they were elated.
They said to the Ammonites, "Tomorrow we will surrender to you, and you can do to us whatever you like."
The next day Saul separated his men into three companies; near dawn they broke into the Ammonite camp and slaughtered them until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.
The people then said to Samuel, "Who was it that asked, 'Shall Saul reign over us?' Turn these men over to us so that we may put them to death."
But Saul said, "No one will be put to death today, for this day the LORD has rescued Israel."
Then Samuel said to the people, "Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingship."
So all the people went to Gilgal and made Saul king in the presence of the LORD. There they sacrificed fellowship offerings before the LORD, and Saul and all the Israelites held a great celebration.