1 Samuel 11:1-11
Jabesh Delivered from Nahash
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1Then Nahash the Ammonite came up and laid siege to Jabesh-gilead. All the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.”
2But 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.”
3“Hold off for seven days,” replied the elders of Jabesh, “and let us send messengers throughout Israel. If there is no one to save us, we will surrender to you.”
4When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and relayed these words in the hearing of the people, they all wept aloud.
5Just then Saul was returning from the field, behind his oxen. “What troubles the people?” asked Saul. “Why are they weeping?” And they relayed to him the words of the men from Jabesh.
6When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God rushed upon him, and he burned with great anger.
7He 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.
8And when Saul numbered them at Bezek, there were 300,000 Israelites and 30,000 men of Judah.
9So 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.
10Then the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Tomorrow we will come out, and you can do with us whatever seems good to you.”
11The 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.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
Nahash the Ammonite besieges Jabesh-gilead. Its men ask for a treaty and offer to serve him, but he demands the right to put out their right eyes and disgrace all Israel. The elders ask for seven days to seek help, and messengers carry the news through Israel. The people weep when they hear it.
Saul comes from the field behind the oxen and asks why the people are crying. When he hears the report, the Spirit of God rushes upon him and his anger burns greatly. He cuts a yoke of oxen into pieces and sends them through Israel with a warning that the same will happen to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel.
The terror of the LORD falls on the people, and they gather as one. Saul numbers 300,000 Israelites and 30,000 men of Judah at Bezek. Messengers carry a promise of rescue by the next day’s heat, and Jabesh rejoices. The following morning Saul divides his force into three groups and attacks the Ammonites, scattering the survivors.
Jabesh-gilead is threatened with mutilation meant to bring disgrace upon Israel, and the people first respond with tears. Saul's anger is different from the enemy's cruelty because it moves toward rescue. Yet his warning about the oxen also shows how quickly a leader can mix urgent courage with intimidation.
The LORD gathers the people for the sake of those under siege. The scene does not teach that every angry reaction is righteous or that threats are a model for leadership. It asks what we do when someone vulnerable is being shamed or harmed: whether we will notice, gather help, and use strength to protect rather than to make others afraid.
Questions
1 What condition does Nahash place on the treaty Jabesh requests?
AnswerHe demands permission to put out the men’s right eyes, saying he wants to bring disgrace on all Israel. Their offer of submission is met with cruelty.
2 What does Saul threaten when he sends out the pieces of oxen?
AnswerHe says the same will happen to the oxen of anyone who does not march behind him and Samuel. The threat concerns their animals, not cutting the people themselves into pieces.
3 What news changes the mood in Jabesh?
AnswerThe messengers promise deliverance by the next day’s heat. The people rejoice, and Saul’s forces attack the following morning.
4 How should concern for a threatened person lead to action?
AnswerSeek suitable help and a plan that protects them. Courage involves doing what is needed with others’ support, not copying the threats or battle methods in this account.
What This Means for Us
The people of Jabesh face a threat designed to humiliate and disable them. The passage does not praise indifference in the name of calm. It shows leaders responding when vulnerable people need protection.
Saul’s anger leads to action for the threatened city. Strength should be governed by a purpose beyond our own reputation, and any response to danger should protect people rather than multiply harm.
Ask where your household has seen a real need but delayed action. Choose one wise, proportionate step toward protection.
Prayer
God of deliverance, make us attentive to people who are threatened and wise in the way we respond. Give us courage to protect without cruelty and humility to remember that rescue comes from you. Amen.
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