1 Samuel 11

Nahas besiegeth Jabes in Gilead, v.1,&c. He will not make peace with the besieged, but upon hard and grievous to consult thereof, 3. Which having obtained, they crave the assistance of their brethren, 4. Saul hearing of the unreasonable tearms, is extreamly provoked, 5. He adviseth with himself how to raise the siege, 6. With an army of three hundred and thirty thousand men, 8. He sendeth word to the men of Jabes, that he intended to raise their siege, 9. Who deceive their besiegers, 10. How Saul raised the siege at Jabes, 11. The people are ready to slay those, that refused to embrace Saul for their King, 12. But Saul will not suffer it, 13. He is invested in the Kingdom at Gilgal, 14.

1. Then Nahas the Ammonite went up, and besieged Jabes in Gilead: [See Judg.21.8.] and all the men of Jabes said unto Nahas, make a covenant with us, so we will serve thee,

2. But Nahas the Ammonite said unto them, on this (condition) [Heb. therein] will I make (a covenant) with you, that I may put out unto all (of) you the right eye: and that I may lay this shame [Oth. reproach] upon all Israel.

3. Then said the Eldest of Jabes, [i.e. the Governours of the City of Jabes] unto him, cease from us seven dayes, [Or, let us be quiet seven dayes] that we may send messengers into all the borders of Israel: if then there be no man that delivereth us, we will go out unto thee. [viz. to deliver up our selves into thy hands.]

4. When the messengers came to Gibea of Saul, [This City was first called Gibea of Benjamin, because it lay in the inheritance of the tribe of Benjamin. It was then first called Gibea of Saul, after that Saul (who was born there) was made King of Israel] they spake these words before the ears of the people: then all that people lift up their voice and wept.

5. And behold, Saul came after the Oxen out of thd field, [For when he was in private anointed King over Israel, and Samuel, and accepted of the greatest part of the people, he did not as yet begin to execute that office in publick, but lived a retired life, untill, he was publickly installed by all the people] and Saul said, What aileth the people, that they weep? then they told him the words of the men of Jabes.

6. Then the Spirit of the LORD waxed already upon Saul, [i.e. God immediately by the power of his Spirit gave unto Saul the gifts of strength and courage to oppose the Ammonites] when he heard these words: and his anger kindled exceedingly. [viz. against Nahas, because he had propounded such reproachful tearms of peace to the inhabitants of Jabes.]

7. And he took a couple of Oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and he sent them [viz. the pieces of the Oxen, that the Israelites seeing them, might remember what damage would befall them, if they refused to follow Saul in this expedition] into all the borders of Israel by the hand of the messengers, [Either of the messengers of Jabesites, or of others, whom he had chosen for the purpose,] saying, he that goeth not out in person after Saul, and after Samuel, [Samuel is here adjoined, because he as Judge and Prophet went along with Saul, to raise this siege, as appeareth vers .12. Especially because Saul was not as yet publickly invested into the Kingdom] so shall it be done unto his Oxen: then the fear of the LORD [i.e. a fear, which the Lord sent upon them] fell on the people, and they went out as one man.

8. And he numbered them, [Or, mustered them] at Bezek: [i.e. in the border near or about the City of Bezek, whereof mention is made, Judg.1.5.] and of the. Children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and of the men of Juda thirty thousand.

9. Then they [viz. Samuel and Saul] said unto the messengers, that were come, Thus shall ye say unto the men at Jabes in Gilead, Tomorrow shall deliverance happen to you, when the Sun shall wax hot: When the messengers came, and told (that) unto the men at Jabes, they were glad.

10. And the men of Jabes said, [Viz. unto the Ammonites; that besieged them] tomorrow we will go out unto you; and ye shall do to us according to all that is good in your eyes. [meaning, if no relief come, see ver.3. They conceal the relief that was promised them, that they might not be upon his guard, but might be surprised and set up on unawares.]

11. Now it came to pass the next day, [It seemeth that this was the next day after that the messengers of Jabes were returned to the city, and it was the eighth day after the promise of surrendering the city, in case they were not relieved within seven dayes] that Saul put the people in three heaps, [Heb. heads: so also Judg.16.20.] and they came into the midst of the camp, [viz. of the Ammonites] in the morning watch [viz. when they were wont to break up the Courts of Guard, and to dissolve the Centinels] and they slew Ammon, untill the day grew hot: and it came to pass that they which remained were so scattered, that among them there continued not two together.

12. Then the people said unto Samuel, Who is he that said, Should Saul reign over us? Give hither those men, that we may put them to death.

13. But Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: [See the like example, 2 sam.19.22.] for the LORD hath to day wrought a deliverance in Israel.

14. Moreover, Samuel said unto the people, [viz. In the camp by Jabes, after they had smitten the Ammonites, and so relieved Jabes] Come, and let us return to Gilgal, and renew the Kingdom there. [i.e. settle, or invest Saul there in the Kingdome. There were certain men that would now accept of Saul for their King, chap.10.27. Samuel doubted not whether the malevolent or ill-willers would not accept of him, seeing they had seen his courage and fortitude in the battel, and that others would have put them to death, but that Saul hindered it.]

15. Then all the people went to Gilgal, and made Saul there King before the face of the LORD at Gilgal, [See above chap.10.17. and below. chap.14.18.] and they offered there thank-offerings before the face of the LORD: and Saul rejoyced there exceedingly with all the men of Israel.