View 1st Samuel 11 in the note window.
The distress of Jabesh - gilead, ver. 1 - 3.
Saul's readiness to relieve them, and success, ver. 4 - 11.
His tenderness to them that opposed him, ver. 12 - 13.
He is confirmed in his kingdom, ver. 14 - 15.
1: Then - That is, about that time; for that this happened before,
and was the occasion of their desire of a king, may seem from(1Sa 12:12), although it is possible, that
Nahash's preparation, might cause that desire, and that he did not
actually come 'till their king was chosen. Will serve - The occasion of
this offer was, that they saw no likelihood of relief from their brethren
in Canaan.
2: Thrust out, &c. - Partly for a reproach, as it here follows; and
partly, to disable them. He leaves them one eye, that they might be fit to
serve in any mean and base office.
5: After the herd - For being only anointed king, and not publickly
inaugurated, nor having yet had opportunity of doing any thing worthy of
his place, he thought fit to forbear all royal state, and to retire to his
former private life, which, howsoever despised in this latter ages, was
anciently in great esteem. Good magistrates are in pain, if their subjects
are in tears.
7: Sent them - Wisely considering, that the sight of mens eyes does
much more affect their hearts, than what they only hear with their ears.
Samuel - Whom he joins with himself, both because he was present with him;
and that hereby he might gain the more authority. Fear - A fear sent upon
them by God, that they should not dare to deny their help. The fear of God
will make men good subjects, good soldiers, and good friends to their
country. They that fear God will make conscience of their duty to all men,
particularly to their rulers.
8: Men of Judah - Who are numbered apart to their honour, to shew how
readily they, to whom the kingdom was promised, (Ge 49:10), submitted
to their king, though of another tribe; and how willing they were to hazard
themselves for their brethren although they might have excused themselves
from the necessity of defending their own country from their dangerous
neighbours the Philistines.
14: Then - While the people were together by Jabesh - gilead,
wherein Samuel's great prudence and fidelity to Saul is evident.
He suspended the confirmation of Saul at first, whilst the generality of
the people were disaffected, and now when he had given such eminent proof of
his princely virtues, and when the peoples hearts were eagerly set upon him,
he takes this as the fittest season for that work. Renew - That is,
confirm our former choice.
15: Made - They owned and accepted him for their king.
