Dawn over Gilead: on a wooded hill across a valley the small walled town of Jabesh-gilead in shadow, and in the valley below a wide, still camp of black goat-hair tents with thin threads of cookfire smoke.

The Book of

1 Samuel 11

Nahash offers a treaty on one cruel condition. Jabesh has seven days. And Saul is out plowing.

15 verses≈ 3 min3 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

1–7SamuelA boy who listened
8–15SaulA king like the nationsChapter 11
16–20David risesThe LORD looks at the heart
21–27David huntedThe anointed one waits
28–31Saul fallsEndor and Gilboa

Saul Defeats the Ammonites

Stylised map · locations approximate

On the map

To Jabesh-gilead

Nahash the Ammonite came up against Jabesh-gilead in Gilead, east of the Jordan. Messengers crossed the river to “Gibeah of Saul.” Saul mustered Israel at Bezek, in the hills west of the Jordan across from Jabesh, and they struck the Ammonite camp at the morning watch. Afterward the people went down to Gilgal to “renew the kingship there.” The site of Jabesh-gilead is probable, not certain.

A small walled town of stone and mud brick on a wooded hill above a stream valley in Gilead, oak woods on the slopes, in quiet afternoon light.

Then Nahash the Ammonite came up and laid siege to Jabesh-gilead.

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The men of Jabesh

All the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.”

Nahash

But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you on one condition, that I may put out everyone’s right eye and bring reproach upon all Israel.”

Saul

“What troubles the people?” asked Saul. “Why are they weeping?”

And they relayed to him the words of the men from Jabesh.

Question

Quick question

The elders of Jabesh played for time while they looked for someone to save them.

How many days did the elders of Jabesh ask Nahash to hold off?

1 Samuel 11:6

He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent them by messengers throughout the land of Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not march behind Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the LORD fell upon the people, and they came out together as one man.

And when Saul numbered them at Bezek, there were 300,000 Israelites and 30,000 men of Judah.

The Israelites

So they said to the messengers who had come, “Tell the men of Jabesh-gilead: ‘Deliverance will be yours tomorrow by the time the sun is hot.’” And when the messengers relayed this to the men of Jabesh, they rejoiced.

The men of Jabesh

Then the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Tomorrow we will come out, and you can do with us whatever seems good to you.”

The last dark before dawn, seen from a hillside: three long columns of men moving silently down through the oaks toward a valley camp of black tents with dying fires, the town on its hill beyond.

The next day Saul organized the troops into three divisions, and during the morning watch they invaded the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them, until the hottest part of the day. And the survivors were so scattered that no two of them were left together.

0:15

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Reflect

As one man

When Jabesh cried out, a scattered people “came out together as one man.” They crossed the Jordan by night for a town that could not save itself. Who near you is under pressure and needs someone to come out for them? Write their name, and one thing you could do this week.

Saul Confirmed as King

The Israelites

Then the people said to Samuel, “Who said that Saul should not reign over us? Bring those men here so we can kill them!”

Saul

But Saul ordered, “No one shall be put to death this day, for today the LORD has worked salvation in Israel.”

1 Samuel 11:13

Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingship there.”

Midday on the Jordan plain at Gilgal: smoke rising from a plain altar of uncut stones, a great crowd celebrating with lifted hands and a few tambourines; tall Saul in a crimson cloak with his spear and old Samuel at the center.

So all the people went to Gilgal and confirmed Saul as king in the presence of the LORD. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the LORD, and Saul and all the Israelites rejoiced greatly.

Pray

The LORD has worked salvation

Saul refused revenge and gave God the credit: “today the LORD has worked salvation in Israel.” Thank the LORD that He saves His people. Ask Him for courage to come to the help of the weak, and for mercy that gives Him the glory. Lord, when You give me a victory, keep me from settling scores. Let my first words be praise to You. Amen.

You’ve experienced

1 Samuel 11

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A verse to carry with you

No one shall be put to death this day, for today the LORD has worked salvation in Israel.

1 Samuel 11:13

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