The First Book of Samuel, otherwise called the First Book of the Kings
1 Samuel 11
Chapter XI · Vol. II, p. 644
1 Nahash offereth them of Jabesh-gilead a reproachful condition. 4 They send messengers, and are delivered by Saul. 12 Saul thereby is confirmed, and his kingdom joyfully renewed.
1 Then Nahasha the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabesh-gilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, bMake a covenant with us, and we will serve thee.
2 And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, cthat I may thrust out all your right eyes,1 and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.
c Pr.12.10. Da.3.6. Re.13?.17. Es.3.6.
1 When soldiers fought with sword and shield, the shield generally consisted of a metallic plate or other resisting material, and was carried on the left arm, consequently, when held up to defend the body, the left eye was covered, and so, if the right eye were put out, the soldier was totally unfitted either for attack or defence.—Note, An impressive emblem of Satan's great device, to promise peace on condition of the extinction or discontinuation of religious ordinances.—C.
3 And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days' respite,2 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.
2 Heb. Forbear us.
4 Then dcame the messengers to Gibeah of Saul, and told the tidings in the ears of the people: and all the people elifted up their voices, and wept.3
5 And, behold, Saul came fafter 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.
f ch.9.1. Ps.78.71. After his election he had retired to his private business.
6 And the gSpirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his hanger4 was kindled greatly.5
g Ju.3.10; 13.25; 14.19. ch.10.10; 16.13.
4 Anger is right or wrong according to the cause producing it. Christ was moved to anger by the hardness of men's hearts, Mar. 3. 5. God is angry with the wicked every day, Ps. 7. 11. And surely the cruelty of the Ammonites might well justify anger, if directed against their wickedness, and not arising from thirst for revenge.—Note, Passions are to be judged by the modifying feelings from which they arise, and the objects at which they aim.—C.
5 It will be remembered that the Benjamites were closely related to the people of Jabesh-gilead. In fact a large portion of the tribe must have been descendants of those four hundred maidens who had been saved from the slaughter at Jabesh, Ju. 21. 12. This fact will account for the grief of the people of Gibeah, and the indignation of Saul.—P.
7 And he took a yoke of oxen, and ihewed 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.6 And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.7
8 And when he numbered them in kBezek, the children of Israel lwere three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
k Ju.1.4,5.
l ch.15.4. Ju.20.2. Nu.2.3. Ge.49.8-10.
9 And they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall ye say unto the men of Jabesh-gilead, To-morrow, by that time the sun be hot,8 ye shall have help.9 And the messengers came and showed it to the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.
8 That is, they would march all night, as is customary in warm climates, and arrive by noon.—Note, Let him that would help in any way do it speedily; and especially to brethren in 'the household of faith.'—C.
9 Or, deliverance.
10 Therefore the men of Jabesh said, mTo-morrow we will come out unto you, and ye shall do with us all that seemeth good unto you.
m ver.3,9.
11 And it was so on the morrow, that nSaul put the people in othree companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the pmorning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that qtwo of them were not left together.
12 And the people said unto Samuel, rWho is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death.1
r ch.10.27. Lu.19.27.
1 Saul's success had a greater effect upon the people than his appointment by God or his anointing by Samuel. Flushed with victory and proud of their leader, they propose to murder in cold blood those who had not yet acknowledged him as king, but with no less prudence than piety he forbade the cruel deed.—J.
13 And Saul said, sThere shall not a man be put to death this day; for to-day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel.
s 2 Sa.19.22.
14 Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and trenew the kingdom there.2
t ch.10.24. 2 Sa.5.3. 1 Ch.12.38,39. Ho.8.4; 13.10,11.
2 Renew the national covenant with the king, acknowledging his appointment, defining his power, and securing the public liberties. See ch. 10. 25.—C.
15 And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there uthey sacrificed sacrifices of peace-offerings3 before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.
u Ge.8.20; 31.54. Ex.18.12; 24.6. 1 Ch.29.21-24.
3 The restriction of sacrificing to one place, De.12.14, is not here violated or infringed—for this place the Lord did choose by his prophet for the occasion—an occasion when not one tribe was present, but the whole nation was assembled. So did Joshua at a similar national assembly, ch.8.30,31.—C.
Notes
Reflections.—Inheritances hastily gotten at the beginning, are often marked with terrible vexations; and God remarkably displays his wrath against some cities or nations. What a plague is it to live beside bad neighbours! But inhuman barbarity often issues in men's own ruin. Kind sympathy with others in their trouble, and holy indignation against deeds of cruelty and wickedness, are highly commendable. Deep humility, a hearty concern for their subjects, zeal for the interests and honour of God, proper courage and authority, prudence, and confidence in God for success, attended with activity and despatch in business, are truly ornamental in magistrates: and the fear of God ought to influence subjects to their duty. Never ought men to be more forward in forgiving others, than when the Lord hath done great things for themselves. And with hearty thanksgivings to God, and increasing regard to his appointments, ought we to acknowledge the deliverances which he grants, or the honours which he confers.