1Sam 11
1
Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabesh-gilead: and all the
men of Jabesh said to Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you.
2
And Nahash the Ammonite said to them, On this condition will I make it with you, that
all your right eyes be put out; and I will lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.
3
And the elders of Jabesh said to him, Give us seven days` respite, that we may send
messengers to all the borders of Israel; and then, if there be none to save us, we
will come out to you.
4
Then came the messengers to Gibeah of Saul, and spoke these words in the ears of the
people: and all the people lifted up their voice, and wept.
5
And, behold, Saul came following the oxen out of the field; and Saul said, What ails
the people that they weep? And they told him the words of the men of Jabesh.
6
And the Spirit of God came mightily upon Saul when he heard those words, and his anger
was kindled greatly.
7
And he took a yoke of oxen, and cut them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the
borders of Israel by the hand of messengers, saying, Whoever comes not forth after
Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen. And the dread of YHWH fell
on the people, and they came out as one man.
8
And he numbered them in Bezek; and the children of Israel were three hundred thousand,
and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
9
And they said to the messengers that came, Thus shall you say to the men of Jabesh-gilead,
To-morrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have deliverance. And the messengers
came and told the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.
10
Therefore the men of Jabesh said, To-morrow we will come out to you, and you shall
do with us all that seems good to you.
11
And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they
came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch, and smote the Ammonites until
the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they that remained were scattered,
so that not two of them were left together.
12
And the people said to Samuel, Who is he who said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring
the men, that we may put them to death.
13
And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day; for to-day YHWH has
wrought deliverance in Israel.
14
Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom
there.
15
And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before YHWH in Gilgal;
and there they offered sacrifices of peace-offerings before YHWH; and there Saul and
all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.