1Sam 11
1
And it came to pass about a month after this, that Naas the Ammanite went up, and
encamped against Jabis Galaad: and all the men of Jabis said to Naas the Ammanite,
Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you.
2
Naas the Ammanite said to them, On these terms will I make a covenant with you, that
I should Lit. dig out put out all your right eyes, and I will lay a reproach upon Israel.
3
And the men of Jabis say to him, Allow us seven days, and we will send messengers
into all the coasts of Israel: if there should be no one to deliver us, we will come
out to you.
4
And the messengers came to Gabaa to Saul, and they speak the words into the ears of
the people; and all the people lifted up their voice, and wept.
5
And, behold, Saul came after the early morning out of the field: and Saul said, Why
does the people weep? and they tell him the words of the men of Jabis.
6
And the Spirit of the Lord came upon Saul when he heard these words, and his anger
was greatly kindled against them.
7
And he took two cows, and cut them in pieces, and sent them into all the coasts of
Israel by the hand of messengers, saying, Whoso comes not forth after Saul and after
Samuel, so shall they do to his oxen: and a transport from the Lord came upon the
people of Israel, and they Lit. cried out came out to battle as one man.
8
And he reviews them at Bezec in Bama, every man of Israel six hundred thousand, and
the men of Juda seventy thousand.
9
And he said to the messengers that came, Thus shall you say to the men of Jabis, To-morrow
you shall have deliverance when the sun is hot; and the messengers came to the city,
and told the men of Jabis, and they rejoiced.
10
And the men of Jabis said to Naas the Ammanite, To-morrow we will come forth to you,
and you shall do to us what seems good in your sight.
11
And it came to pass Gr. after the morrow on the morrow, that Saul Gr. put divided the people into three companies, and they
go into the midst of the camp in
the morning watch, and they smote the children of Ammon until the day was hot; at
it came to pass that those who were left were scattered, and there were not left among
them two together.
12
And the people said to Samuel, Who has said that Saul shall not reign over us? Give
up the men, and we will put them to death.
13
And Saul said, No man shall die this day, for to-day the Lord has wrought deliverance
in Israel.
14
And Samuel spoke to the people, saying, Let us go to Galgala, and there renew the
kingdom.
15
And all the people went to Galgala, and Samuel anointed Saul there to be king before
the Lord in Galgala, and there he offered meat-offerings and peace-offerings before
the Lord: and Samuel and all Israel rejoiced exceedingly.