What does 1 Samuel 11 mean?
Chapter Commentary:
After Saul has been selected as Israel's new king (1 Samuel 10:17–19), a national crisis takes place. Nahash, king of the Ammonites, lays siege to a city on the eastern edge of Israelite territory. Jabesh-gilead was in the region known as Transjordan, east of the Jordan River and close to Ammonite (Genesis 19:38) territory. As it happens, this was territory associated with Saul's tribe of Benjamin (1 Samuel 9:1–2).

The elders of Jabesh quickly realize that Nahash could destroy their city and kill them all. To avoid that, they offer to make a treaty. Nahash, though, has plans to defeat all of Israel. He tells the elders of Jabesh he will only agree to a treaty if they gouge out their right eyes . His explicit reason is to humiliate and shame the people. The elders tell Nahash they will give him their decision within one week; they send out messengers to see if anyone in Israel will come to fight for them (1 Samuel 11:1–3).

The people of Gibeah, Saul's hometown, weep when they receive this news. God's Spirit rushes on Saul once more, and he becomes angry. He cuts up the oxen he has just brought in from the field and sends the pieces out to all the territories of Israel with a message: this is what will be done to your oxen if you do not come out to fight against the Ammonites with Saul and Samuel. The people respond in unity, amassing an enormous army (1 Samuel 11:4–8).

Israel's forces musters at Bezek, not far from Jabesh. The messengers from Jabesh are sent back to report the good news that the city will be saved by the time the sun is hot on the following day. The elders of the city then report to Nahash that they will come out on the next day and allow the Ammonites to do whatever they want to them. Saul divides Israel's forces into three companies and attacks during the pre-dawn hours. Israel easily defeats the Ammonites. The survivors run for their lives (1 Samuel 11:9–11).

The people now fully embrace Saul as their king and call for those who opposed him earlier (1 Samuel 10:27) to be put to death. Saul wisely and mercifully rejects petty revenge and instead focuses attention of the Lord's work on Israel's behalf. Samuel calls for the nation to gather at Gilgal and reaffirm Saul's rule . Peace offerings are sacrificed. Saul and the people celebrate together (1 Samuel 11:12–15).
Verse Context:
First Samuel 11:1–11 follows the selection of Saul as Israel's king with a sudden attack on an Israelite city. The king of the Ammonites will only spare Jabesh-gilead if the people allow him to gouge out their right eyes. Saul, empowered by the Holy Spirit, rallies all of Israel to go to battle with him. The huge Israelite army musters near Jabesh and attacks the Ammonite camp before dawn. The Ammonites are slaughtered, and the survivors run for their lives. Jabesh-gilead is saved.
First Samuel 11:12–15 describes the events that follow the victory over the Ammonites. Saul is fully embraced as king. The people want to execute those who once opposed him (1 Samuel 10:27). He refuses, focusing attention on God's work on Israel's behalf. Samuel calls for a religious celebration with peace offerings and feasting at Gilgal to renew Saul's kingship. Saul and the people rejoice greatly together, and he is firmly established as Israel's king.
Chapter Summary:
Saul calls for all Israelites to join him in battle against the Ammonites who have laid siege to Jabesh-gilead. Nahash, the Ammonite king, has threatened to gouge out the right eyes of the people of Jabesh if they want a treaty with him. Instead, Saul arrives with an enormous Israelite army and slaughters the Ammonites. Samuel calls for the nation to gather at Gilgal for a religious celebration; there, they officially reaffirm Saul's rule as Israel's king.
Chapter Context:
God allowed Israel to demand a king (1 Samuel 8:19–22) and appointed Saul to the role (1 Samuel 9:15–16). This seems to be followed very soon by a crisis. Constant enemies of Israel, the Ammonites (Deuteronomy 23:3–6), lay siege to a border town. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Saul leads a massive army to rout the invaders. Samuel then arranges a ceremony where the people reaffirm that Saul is indeed king. Saul would have further success against the Philistines (1 Samuel 13—14). But his rule will decay until David (1 Samuel 16:13) replaces him.
Book Summary:
First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.
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