1 Samuel 11

1 Samuel 11:1

11:1-5 Jabesh Gilead was a city on the east side of the Jordan River in the territory belonging to Gad. When the Ammonites, the neighbors to the southeast, besieged the city, the inhabitants asked for terms of surrender. But Nahash wanted to maim them and make them a reproach in Israel by gouging out their right eyes. Surprisingly, the Ammonites allowed the elders of Jabesh to send for help. Perhaps Nahash was not fully prepared, or was not afraid that the rest of Israel would help Jabesh. Messengers were sent to Gibeah, where Saul was still working in the field. It was high time to assert himself as Israel’s new king! 11:6-11 With the vividly threatening object lesson of a chopped up yoke of oxen, Saul summoned the nation to arms. The fear of the LORD came on the people. Israel and Judah combined mustered 330,000 strong at Bezek and marched all night to Jabesh, where they thoroughly routed the Ammonites. 11:12-15 Flushed with victory, the people wanted to kill those who formerly had not accepted Saul’s rule. But Saul wisely stopped them. The fact that the LORD had given the victory was enough for him. Samuel then called a solemn assembly at Gilgal, and Saul’s kingdom was renewed on a nationwide scale. There was no opposition this time. Gilgal speaks of spiritual renewal (Jos_5:9).