“Then Nahash the Ammonite 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.” (1 Samuel 11:1)
What a cowardly bunch! The Ark of the Covenant had been returned. Sounds like the perfect situation. Except, people are inherently weak. Politically they didn’t want to take any chances. Better safe than sorry. Right?
Nahash the Ammonite was not a fool. He realized he could take Jabesh without a fight. In fact, he was not afraid to fight.
“And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.” (1 Samuel 11:2)
Nahash is not looking to just take Jabesh, he wants all of Israel. Now Israel’s King will perform or not.
The elders of Jabesh send messengers to Saul.
“3And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days’ respite, that we may send messengers unto all the coasts of Israel: and then, if there be no man to save us, we will come out to thee.
4Then came the messengers to Gibeah of Saul, and told the tidings in the ears of the people: and all the people lifted up their voices, and wept.” (1 Samuel 11:3-4)
Saul hears the people’s cries and the Spirit of God came unto Saul. Saul is angry at what Nahash said. Now he sends a message to all of Israel.
“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 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.” (1 Samuel 11:7)
The message was not from Saul, but the people saw it as a message from God. They feared the wrath of God more than they feared war.
They answered Saul by sending 300,000 men plus 30,000 from Judah. Saul formed them into 3 companies. Militarily this is a common thing to do. 1 company holds the enemy in place, 1 company sweeps the enemy from the field, and 1 company acts as a reserve to go where needed. It was extremely effective.
By the next day, when the heat was hot, Saul and his army had utterly destroyed the Ammonites to the point they couldn’t travel as a pair.
The people of Israel rejoiced at Saul’s victory. Now they had a score to settle among those that rebuked Saul as King.
“12And the people said unto Samuel, Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death.
13And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel.” (1 Samuel 11:12-13)
Samuel once again had the people gather together and renewed the Kingdom.
“And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.” (1 Samuel 11:15)
Stay Tuned…
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