11:1 Then Nahash the Ammonite a came up, and encamped against
Jabeshgilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash,
Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee.
(a) After that Saul was chosen king: for fear of whom they
asked a king, as in (1Sa 12:12).
11:2 And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this [condition]
will I make [a covenant] with you, that I may thrust out
all your b right eyes, and lay it [for] a reproach upon
all Israel.
(b) This declares that the closer the tyrants are to their
destruction, the more cruel they are.
11:6 And the Spirit of God c came upon Saul when he heard
those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.
(c) God gave him the spirit of strength and courage to go
against this tyrant.
11:7 And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed 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 d Samuel, so shall it be done unto
his oxen. And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and
they came out with one consent.
(d) He adds Samuel because Saul was not yet approved by
all.
11:9 And e they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall
ye say unto the men of Jabeshgilead, To morrow, by [that
time] the sun be hot, ye shall have help. And the
messengers came and shewed [it] to the men of Jabesh; and
they were glad.
(e) Meaning, Saul and Samuel.
11:10 Therefore the men of Jabesh said, To morrow we will come
out unto f you, and ye shall do with us all that seemeth
good unto you.
(f) That is, to the Ammonites, concealing that they had
hope of aid.
11:12 And the people said unto Samuel, g Who [is] he that
said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may
put them to death.
(g) By this victory the Lord won the hearts of the people
to Saul.
11:13 And Saul said, There shall not a man be h put to death
this day: for to day the LORD hath wrought salvation in
Israel.
(h) By showing mercy he thought to overcome their malice.
11:15 And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made
Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they
sacrificed sacrifices of i peace offerings before the
LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced
greatly.
