1 Samuel 11 Study Notes: Saul Rescues Jabesh-gilead
Nahash the Ammonite besieges Jabesh-gilead and demands a humiliating treaty. God’s Spirit comes on Saul, who rallies Israel and routs the Ammonites, spares those who had doubted him, and is confirmed as king at Gilgal.
General
What message did the gathered army send back to the besieged town of Jabesh-gilead (1 Samuel 11:9)?
Answer: Rescue would come by the heat of the next day
The army sent the messengers back with a promise: Jabesh would be rescued the next day, once the sun had grown hot. The townspeople rejoiced and told Nahash they would come out to him the next day (11:9-10). Early the next morning Saul divided his troops into three companies, attacked the Ammonite camp in the early-morning watch, and struck them down until the heat of the day, so that the survivors were scattered and no two were left together (11:11). The promised rescue came on time. As when the LORD gave Jephthah victory over the Ammonites (Judges 11:32), the victory belonged to the LORD (Proverbs 21:31).
- 1 Samuel 11:9 (BSB)“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.”The army promises Jabesh that deliverance will come by the heat of the next day.
- 1 Samuel 11:11 (BSB)“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 attacks the Ammonites in the morning watch and routs them until the heat of the day.
- Judges 11:32 (BSB)“So Jephthah crossed over to the Ammonites to fight against them, and the LORD delivered them into his hand.”The LORD had given Jephthah victory over the Ammonites in an earlier day.
- Proverbs 21:31 (BSB)“A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.”Preparations are made for battle, but victory comes from the LORD.
Theological
What promise did Saul’s assembled forces send to Jabesh-gilead, and how was it kept (1 Samuel 11:9-11)?
Answer: Rescue would come by the heat of the next day
The army sends word that deliverance will come by the heat of the next day; Jabesh rejoices and tells Nahash they will come out to him on the morrow (11:9-10). Saul divides his forces into three companies, falls on the Ammonite camp in the morning watch, and routs them until the day grew hot, scattering the survivors completely (11:11). The promise is kept exactly as given. As with Jephthah’s earlier victory over Ammon (Judges 11:32), the outcome is the LORD’s doing (Proverbs 21:31).
- 1 Samuel 11:9 (BSB)“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.”The army promises Jabesh that deliverance will come by the heat of the next day.
- 1 Samuel 11:11 (BSB)“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 attacks the Ammonites in the morning watch and routs them until the heat of the day.
- Judges 11:32 (BSB)“So Jephthah crossed over to the Ammonites to fight against them, and the LORD delivered them into his hand.”The LORD had given Jephthah victory over the Ammonites in an earlier day.
- Proverbs 21:31 (BSB)“A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.”Preparations are made for battle, but victory comes from the LORD.
General
Saul sent pieces of oxen throughout Israel with a warning to anyone who would not follow him and Samuel. How did the people respond (1 Samuel 11:7)?
Answer: Fear from the LORD fell on them, and they came united
Saul cut up two oxen and had messengers carry the pieces through Israel, warning that any man who did not follow Saul and Samuel into battle would have his own oxen treated the same way (11:7). The narrator says a fear sent from the LORD came over the whole nation, and they turned out united, gathering a large army at Bezek (11:7-8). The response is credited to the LORD, not to Saul’s warning alone. Scripture elsewhere describes God sending dread on people to accomplish His purposes, as when He protected Jacob’s family (Genesis 35:5) and kept enemies from attacking Judah in Jehoshaphat’s day (2 Chronicles 17:10).
- 1 Samuel 11:7 (BSB)“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 came out together as one man.”Saul sends the pieces of oxen with a warning, and the terror of the LORD falls on the people.
- Genesis 35:5 (BSB)“As they set out, a terror from God fell over the surrounding cities, so that they did not pursue Jacob’s sons.”A terror from God fell on the surrounding cities so that they did not pursue Jacob’s sons.
- 2 Chronicles 17:10 (BSB)“And the dread of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that surrounded Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat.”The dread of the LORD fell on the surrounding kingdoms, so none went to war against Jehoshaphat.
Theological
What response did Saul’s summons with the pieces of oxen produce among the Israelites (1 Samuel 11:7)?
Answer: Fear from the LORD fell on them, and they came united
Saul’s summons, pieces of a yoke of oxen sent throughout Israel with a warning to any who would not follow Saul and Samuel (11:7), is met by a dread from the LORD that brings the people out united, mustered at Bezek (11:7-8). The narrator attributes the response to God, who sends such terror to accomplish His purposes, as in Genesis 35:5 and 2 Chronicles 17:10.
- 1 Samuel 11:7 (BSB)“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 came out together as one man.”Saul sends the pieces of oxen with a warning, and the terror of the LORD falls on the people.
- Genesis 35:5 (BSB)“As they set out, a terror from God fell over the surrounding cities, so that they did not pursue Jacob’s sons.”A terror from God fell on the surrounding cities so that they did not pursue Jacob’s sons.
- 2 Chronicles 17:10 (BSB)“And the dread of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that surrounded Judah, so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat.”The dread of the LORD fell on the surrounding kingdoms, so none went to war against Jehoshaphat.
General
When Nahash the Ammonite besieged Jabesh-gilead and offered cruel terms, what did the elders of the town ask him for (1 Samuel 11:3)?
Answer: Seven days to look for a rescuer in Israel
Nahash, ruler of the Ammonites, a neighboring people, surrounded the town of Jabesh-gilead. Its men offered to serve him if he would make a treaty, but he would agree only if he could blind the right eye of every man, to bring disgrace on all Israel (11:1-2). The elders asked for seven days to send messengers through Israel, promising to surrender if no one came to save them (11:3). Samuel later said that this threat from Nahash was what moved the people to demand a king (12:12). The question hanging over the chapter is whether anyone will save Israel, and the answer is that the LORD will, through Saul (11:13), just as He had once raised up judges to save His people (Judges 2:18).
- 1 Samuel 11:1 (BSB)“Then 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.””Nahash besieges Jabesh-gilead, and its men offer to serve him under a treaty.
- 1 Samuel 11:3 (BSB)““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.””The elders ask for seven days to seek someone in Israel to save them.
- 1 Samuel 12:12 (BSB)“But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, ‘No, we must have a king to rule over us’—even though the LORD your God was your king.”Samuel later says the threat from Nahash prompted the people to demand a king.
- Judges 2:18 (BSB)“Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for the Israelites, He was with that judge and saved them from the hands of their enemies while the judge was still alive; for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning under those who oppressed them and afflicted them.”In earlier days the LORD raised up judges and saved Israel from their enemies through them.
Theological
Faced with Nahash’s humiliating terms, what did the town’s elders request (1 Samuel 11:3)?
Answer: Seven days to look for a rescuer in Israel
Nahash the Ammonite besieges Jabesh-gilead and will grant a treaty only on the condition of blinding every man’s right eye, a deliberate disgrace to all Israel (11:1-2). The elders win a seven-day reprieve to seek a deliverer throughout Israel, pledging surrender if none comes (11:3). Samuel later identifies the Ammonite threat as the occasion of Israel’s demand for a king (12:12). The chapter answers the elders’ question by showing the LORD working salvation through Saul (11:13), as He had through the judges (Judges 2:18).
- 1 Samuel 11:1 (BSB)“Then 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.””Nahash besieges Jabesh-gilead, and its men offer to serve him under a treaty.
- 1 Samuel 11:3 (BSB)““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.””The elders ask for seven days to seek someone in Israel to save them.
- 1 Samuel 12:12 (BSB)“But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, ‘No, we must have a king to rule over us’—even though the LORD your God was your king.”Samuel later says the threat from Nahash prompted the people to demand a king.
- Judges 2:18 (BSB)“Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for the Israelites, He was with that judge and saved them from the hands of their enemies while the judge was still alive; for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning under those who oppressed them and afflicted them.”In earlier days the LORD raised up judges and saved Israel from their enemies through them.
General
After the victory, what did Samuel lead the people to do at Gilgal (1 Samuel 11:14-15)?
Answer: Confirm Saul as king before the LORD
Samuel called the people to Gilgal to renew the kingship (11:14). There all the people made Saul king before the LORD, offered peace offerings, which were sacrifices of thanksgiving and fellowship with God, and Saul together with all Israel celebrated with great joy (11:15). At Mizpah the people had cheered Saul as the LORD’s chosen king (10:24), yet some had scorned him (10:27). Now, after the LORD had saved Israel through him, the whole people joined in confirming him. Samuel then addressed all Israel about the king he had set over them (12:1).
- 1 Samuel 11:14 (BSB)“Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingship there.””Samuel calls the people to Gilgal to renew the kingship.
- 1 Samuel 11:15 (BSB)“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.”All the people confirm Saul as king before the LORD and rejoice.
- 1 Samuel 10:24 (BSB)“Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the one the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!””At Mizpah Samuel had presented Saul as the LORD’s chosen king.
- 1 Samuel 10:27 (BSB)“But some worthless men said, “How can this man save us?” So they despised him and brought him no gifts; but Saul remained silent about it.”At Mizpah some worthless men had despised Saul.
- 1 Samuel 12:1 (BSB)“Then Samuel said to all Israel, “I have listened to your voice in all that you have said to me, and I have set over you a king.”Samuel then addresses all Israel about the king he has set over them.
Theological
What did the assembly at Gilgal do in response to Samuel’s call to renew the kingship (1 Samuel 11:14-15)?
Answer: Confirm Saul as king before the LORD
At Samuel’s call the people go to Gilgal to renew the kingship (11:14), and there they install Saul as king before the LORD, offer peace offerings, and rejoice greatly (11:15). The acclamation at Mizpah (10:24) had been marred by dissent (10:27); now, after the LORD’s deliverance through Saul, the whole nation confirms him. This sets the scene for Samuel’s address to all Israel in chapter 12 (12:1).
- 1 Samuel 11:14 (BSB)“Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingship there.””Samuel calls the people to Gilgal to renew the kingship.
- 1 Samuel 11:15 (BSB)“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.”All the people confirm Saul as king before the LORD and rejoice.
- 1 Samuel 10:24 (BSB)“Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the one the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!””At Mizpah Samuel had presented Saul as the LORD’s chosen king.
- 1 Samuel 10:27 (BSB)“But some worthless men said, “How can this man save us?” So they despised him and brought him no gifts; but Saul remained silent about it.”At Mizpah some worthless men had despised Saul.
- 1 Samuel 12:1 (BSB)“Then Samuel said to all Israel, “I have listened to your voice in all that you have said to me, and I have set over you a king.”Samuel then addresses all Israel about the king he has set over them.
General
After the victory, the people wanted to kill those who had opposed Saul becoming king. What did Saul say (1 Samuel 11:13)?
Answer: No one would die, for the LORD had saved Israel
After the battle the people asked Samuel who had objected to Saul’s reign, and demanded that those men be brought out and executed (11:12). Their demand recalls the worthless men who had despised Saul at Mizpah (10:27). Saul refused: no one would be executed that day, because that day the LORD had brought salvation to Israel (11:13). Saul gave the credit for the victory to the LORD and showed mercy to his critics. Moses had told Israel at the Red Sea that they would witness the salvation the LORD would bring (Exodus 14:13), and Saul’s own son Jonathan would soon say that nothing can stop the LORD from rescuing, with a large force or a small one (14:6).
- 1 Samuel 11:12 (BSB)“Then the people said to Samuel, “Who said that Saul should not reign over us? Bring those men here so we can kill them!””The people demand that those who opposed Saul’s reign be put to death.
- 1 Samuel 11:13 (BSB)“But Saul ordered, “No one shall be put to death this day, for today the LORD has worked salvation in Israel.””Saul refuses, saying the LORD has worked salvation in Israel that day.
- 1 Samuel 10:27 (BSB)“But some worthless men said, “How can this man save us?” So they despised him and brought him no gifts; but Saul remained silent about it.”At Mizpah some worthless men had despised Saul when he was chosen.
- Exodus 14:13 (BSB)“But Moses told the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the LORD’s salvation, which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again.”Moses told Israel they would see the salvation the LORD would accomplish for them.
- 1 Samuel 14:6 (BSB)“Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.””Jonathan later affirms that nothing can hinder the LORD from saving.
Theological
How did Saul answer the people’s demand to execute those who had opposed his reign (1 Samuel 11:12-13)?
Answer: No one would die, for the LORD had saved Israel
The people, recalling the scoffers of 10:27, demand their execution (11:12). Saul refuses, grounding his clemency in the LORD’s act: that day the LORD had brought salvation to Israel (11:13). He ascribes the victory to God, as Moses did at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:13), and as Jonathan would soon affirm that the LORD saves with a large force or a small one (14:6).
- 1 Samuel 11:12 (BSB)“Then the people said to Samuel, “Who said that Saul should not reign over us? Bring those men here so we can kill them!””The people demand that those who opposed Saul’s reign be put to death.
- 1 Samuel 11:13 (BSB)“But Saul ordered, “No one shall be put to death this day, for today the LORD has worked salvation in Israel.””Saul refuses, saying the LORD has worked salvation in Israel that day.
- 1 Samuel 10:27 (BSB)“But some worthless men said, “How can this man save us?” So they despised him and brought him no gifts; but Saul remained silent about it.”At Mizpah some worthless men had despised Saul when he was chosen.
- Exodus 14:13 (BSB)“But Moses told the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the LORD’s salvation, which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again.”Moses told Israel they would see the salvation the LORD would accomplish for them.
- 1 Samuel 14:6 (BSB)“Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, “Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.””Jonathan later affirms that nothing can hinder the LORD from saving.
General
How did Saul react when he heard the message from Jabesh-gilead (1 Samuel 11:6)?
Answer: God’s Spirit came on him, and he grew furious
Saul was walking home behind his oxen after work in the field when he found the people weeping and heard the news from Jabesh (11:4-5). Then God’s Spirit came powerfully on him, and he was filled with fierce anger (11:6). This was anger at an enemy’s threat to shame and harm God’s people. In the book of Judges the LORD’s Spirit came on deliverers to equip them for battle, including Jephthah, who also fought the Ammonites (Judges 11:29), and Gideon (Judges 6:34). God’s Spirit was now empowering Saul to rescue Israel.
- 1 Samuel 11:5 (BSB)“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 comes in from the field and asks why the people are weeping.
- 1 Samuel 11:6 (BSB)“When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he burned with great anger.”God’s Spirit comes on Saul when he hears the news, and he is filled with anger.
- Judges 11:29 (BSB)“Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh, then through Mizpah of Gilead. And from there he advanced against the Ammonites.”The Spirit of the LORD came on Jephthah as he advanced against the Ammonites.
- Judges 6:34 (BSB)“So the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, who blew the ram’s horn and rallied the Abiezrites behind him.”The Spirit of the LORD came on Gideon as he rallied men for battle.
Theological
What happened to Saul when he heard the report from Jabesh-gilead (1 Samuel 11:6)?
Answer: God’s Spirit came on him, and he grew furious
Returning from work in the fields, Saul learns of the threat to Jabesh (11:4-5), and God’s Spirit comes powerfully on him, kindling fierce anger (11:6), a righteous indignation at the intended disgrace of God’s people. This is the Spirit’s empowering for deliverance, as with Jephthah against the same Ammonite foe (Judges 11:29) and Gideon before him (Judges 6:34).
- 1 Samuel 11:5 (BSB)“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 comes in from the field and asks why the people are weeping.
- 1 Samuel 11:6 (BSB)“When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he burned with great anger.”God’s Spirit comes on Saul when he hears the news, and he is filled with anger.
- Judges 11:29 (BSB)“Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh, then through Mizpah of Gilead. And from there he advanced against the Ammonites.”The Spirit of the LORD came on Jephthah as he advanced against the Ammonites.
- Judges 6:34 (BSB)“So the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, who blew the ram’s horn and rallied the Abiezrites behind him.”The Spirit of the LORD came on Gideon as he rallied men for battle.