1 & 2 Samuel

1 Samuel Chapter 11

Saul Defeats the Ammonites

• 1Samuel 11:1  Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabeshgilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee. 

The story of the destruction of Jabesh-gilead and why is was destroyed is written about in Judges 19-21. They were of the tribe of Benjamin which didn't obey the call to come up and take vengeance upon those in Gibeah that killed the concubine of the Levite. A very sad story.

• 1 Samuel 11:2  And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and 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 coasts of Israel: and then, if there be no man to save us, we will come out to thee. 

The things the heathens did continually puzzles me. No compassion was given on anyone who gets in their way. Jesus said to love our enemies and love one another as He loved us but reading about those days the Old Testament speaks of, is very sad. Jesus has the answer though if we trust in Him. This time though God uses Saul to rescue the men of Jabeshgilead.

• 1Samuel 11:4  Then came the messengers to Gibeah of Saul, and told the tidings in the ears of the people: and all the people lifted up their voices, and wept. 
• 5  And, behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field; and Saul said, What aileth the people that they weep? And they told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh. 
• 6  And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly. 
• 7  And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent. 

Notice that when the Spirit of the Lord came upon Saul, he was not a shy backward person. He didn't feel unworthy nor did he lack confidence. The Spirit of God made the difference. Also we can see that the fear of the Lord came upon the people. We never should lose the awesome fear of the Lord. That is what keeps us living right. Getting to the place though that we live right because we love the Lord is the type of fear we need instead of the fear of judgment. Serving God because we love Him is better.

• 1Samuel 11:8  And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand. 

Since the number was lower than when they first came out of Egypt, it looks like they were not multiplying very well. The first chapter of Numbers shows the difference.

• 1Samuel 11:9  And they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall ye say unto the men of Jabeshgilead, To morrow, by that time the sun be hot, ye shall have help. And the messengers came and shewed it to 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. 

When the people of Jabeshgilead received the message that the other tribes Saul called to help, was actually coming to help, they rejoiced. They then told the Ammonites that they were going to come out and allow them to do what they wanted to do and thrust out their right eye. It appears that they pretended to give into the Ammonites so that Saul and the armies of Israel could come without them noticing. Sneaky yes, but better than letting them know Saul was coming. The Ammonites probably thought they were in charge and winning at this point.

The Kingdom Is Renewed

• 1Samuel 11:12  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 the LORD hath wrought salvation 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 the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly. 

Saul's heart is for the people and rejoicing in restoring the kingdom. He is not interested in vengeance at this time. Chapter 10 tells how those that were opposed to Saul spake out against his being king and some wanted them to be put to death but here we see Saul not wanting to do that but it is left in the hands of God. Putting enemies to death is not always good. Who knows but that some might be restored and saved later. It is a touchy subject to think about. This is why consulting and seeking God is very important. Here we see Samuel going along with the words of Saul and exhorting them all to go to Gilgal and offer offerings to the Lord.

There are times as we study God's word when God has mercy and wants to spare those that do evil and there is times like in the days of the great flood of Noah's day that people get to the point of no return and after continual preaching and warning, the door to mercy closes. We must always consult God and not react in our own anger or what we call a gut reaction which is what some wanted here. It is very important to try hard to go things God's way at all times. -DC

1 Samuel Chapter 12