1 Samuel 11 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

1 Samuel 11

Saul Defeats the Ammonites

11:1 Then Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh-gilead, and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.” 2 But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, “On this condition I will make a treaty with you, that I gouge out all your right eyes, and thus bring disgrace on all Israel.” 3 The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days’ respite that we may send messengers through all the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to save us, we will give ourselves up to you.” 4 When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul, they reported the matter in the ears of the people, and all the people wept aloud.

5 Now, behold, Saul was coming from the field behind the oxen. And Saul said, “What is wrong with the people, that they are weeping?” So they told him the news of the men of Jabesh. 6 And the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul when he heard these words, and his anger was greatly kindled. 7 He took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces and sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by the hand of the messengers, saying, “Whoever does not come out after Saul and Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen!” Then the dread of the LORD fell upon the people, and they came out as one man. 8 When he mustered them at Bezek, the people of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand. 9 And they said to the messengers who had come, “Thus shall you say to the men of Jabesh-gilead: ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have salvation.’” When the messengers came and told the men of Jabesh, they were glad. 10 Therefore the men of Jabesh said, “Tomorrow we will give ourselves up to you, and you may do to us whatever seems good to you.” 11 And the next day Saul put the people in three companies. And they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch and struck down the Ammonites until the heat of the day. And those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

The Kingdom Is Renewed

12 Then the people said to Samuel, “Who is it that said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring the men, that we may put them to death.” 13 But Saul said, “Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the LORD has worked salvation in Israel.” 14 Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingdom.” 15 So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the LORD, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.

Commentary

v1: The attack of the Ammonites on Jabesh Gilead became an early test for Saul. Jabesh clearly feared the enemy, and sought peace with them.

v2-5: Jabesh was able to buy a little time, during which they sent a message to Saul.

v6-8: Saul's response was decisive. The Spirit of God came upon him, as in 10.10. Through the message of the dismembered oxen, he encouraged the people to join with him in battle.

In Judg 21.7, Jabesh Gilead had failed to join in a battle against the tribe of Benjamin. Saul could have ignored their pleas, on the basis that they had failed to join with the rest of Israel. However, Saul considered it his responsibility to protect all Israel.

Saul's call was for the people to join him and Samuel. Doubtless the respect that people had for Samuel would ensure that many joined in.

v9-10: Saul was able to report to Jabesh that help would come.

v11: The victory was decisive, the enemy was severely defeated.

v12-13: See 10.27; some had opposed the appointment of Saul, and others now wanted to put them to death, since God had vindicated Saul. Saul was rejoicing in the victory that God had given, and showed mercy to these people.

v14-15: The people reaffirmed Saul's kingship. The first victory had been won, and Saul's authority was confirmed. There was also an opportunity for Samuel to proclaim God's word to the people.

Saul's Oaths.

After Saul had been anointed, he made his first oath. Several others followed, which illustrate the downward spiral of his spiritual life. These oaths are more about fear than about faith.

(11:7) Saul made an oath to encourage the people in the battle against Nahash the Ammonite. He threatened to kill oxen, not people; the result was that the fear of the Lord fell upon the people, and there was a great victory.
(11:13) After the victory, Saul promised that no-one would be put to death, even those who had resisted his authority as king.
(14:24) In the battle with the Philistines, Saul commanded that the people did not eat any food. This discouraged an already weary army, and almost cost Jonathan his life.
(17:25) An encouragement to get someone to fight Goliath; tax exemption, and Saul's daughter in marriage.
(18:17) Saul gave his daughter Merab to David, but from a motive of deceit.
(19:6) Saul promised Jonathan that he would not kill David. He soon disobeyed his own oath.
(26:21) A further promise not to kill David.
(28:10) Saul promised not to kill the witch, and almost condoned witchcraft.