New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
1 Samuel 11
1
Nahash was the king of Ammon. He and his army went up to Jabesh Gilead. They surrounded it and got ready to attack it. All of the men of Jabesh spoke to Nahash. They said, "Make a peace treaty with us. Then we'll be under your control."
Reference
📍 Jabesh
Covenant
Genesis 26:28
Ezekiel 17:13
1 Kings 20:34
Job 41:4
Exodus 23:32
Parallel theme
1 Samuel 12:12
Judges 21:8
2
Nahash, the king of Ammon, replied, "I will make a peace treaty with you. But I'll do it only on one condition. You must let me put out the right eye of every one of you. I want to bring shame on the whole nation of Israel."
Reference
People
3
The elders of Jabesh said to him, "Give us seven days to report back to you. We'll send messengers all through Israel. If no one comes to save us, we'll hand ourselves over to you."
📍 Jabesh
4
The messengers came to Gibeah of Saul. They reported to the people the terms Nahash had required. Then all of the people sobbed out loud.
Reference
5
Just then Saul was coming in from the fields. He was walking behind his oxen. He asked, "What's wrong with the people? Why are they sobbing?" He was told what the men of Jabesh had said.
Reference
📍 Jabesh
Parallel theme
1 Kings 19:19
6
When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came on him with power. He burned with anger.
Reference
7
He got a pair of oxen and cut them into pieces. He sent the pieces by messengers all through Israel. They announced, "You must follow Saul and Samuel. If you don't, this is what will happen to your oxen." The terror of the Lord fell on the people. So all of them came together with one purpose in mind.
Reference
8
Saul brought his army together at Bezek. There were 300,000 men from Israel and 30,000 from Judah.
Reference
📍 Bezek 2
References Israel
2 Samuel 24:9
9
The messengers who had come were told, "Go back and report to the men of Jabesh Gilead. Tell them, 'By the hottest time of the day tomorrow, you will be saved.' " The messengers went and reported it to the men of Jabesh. It made those men very happy.
Reference
📍 Jabesh
Parallel theme
Psalm 18:17
10
They said to the people of Ammon, "Tomorrow we'll hand ourselves over to you. Then you can do to us what seems best to you."
📍 Jabesh
11
The next day Saul separated his men into three groups. While it was still dark, they broke into the camp of the Ammonite army. They kept killing the men of Ammon until the hottest time of the day. Those who got away alive were scattered. There weren't two of them left together anywhere.
Reference
12
The people said to Samuel, "Who asked, 'Is Saul going to rule over us?' Bring those people to us. We'll put them to death."
Reference
13
But Saul said, "We won't put anyone to death today! After all, this is the day the Lord has saved Israel."
Reference
14
Then Samuel said to the people, "Come on. Let's go to Gilgal. There we'll agree to have Saul as our king."
Reference
Summary of 1 Samuel 11
1 Samuel chapter 11 provides Saul with his first opportunity to prove himself to be Israel's king. The Ammonites attack the city of Jabeshgilead. Saul comes to the rescue when he hears of their plight and the Spirit of God comes upon him. Israel defeats the Ammonites and Saul's kingship is finally recognized by the people. The chapter ends with Samuel calling Israel to renew the kingdom at Gilgal.
Nahash the Ammonite comes up and surrounds Jabeshgilead.
The men of Jabesh are afraid because they are badly outnumbered. They ask Nahash to make a covenant with them, offering to become his servants.
Nahash agrees, only on cruel terms.
He says that he will make a covenant with them if he can put out the right eye of every man in the city. He wants to bring shame upon all Israel.
The elders of Jabesh ask for seven days so they can send messengers throughout the land of Israel. If no one comes to rescue them, they will surrender to Nahash.
The messengers come to Gibeah, where Saul is living, and tell the people what has happened.
The people hear the news and begin to weep.
Saul is returning from the field behind the oxen when he comes upon the people mourning. He asks why they are crying.
When Saul hears the message from Jabeshgilead, the Spirit of God comes upon him.
His anger becomes intense.
Saul takes a yoke of oxen and cuts them into pieces. He sends the pieces throughout the land of Israel with a message.
He tells the people that the same thing will happen to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel into battle.
Fear from the Lord falls upon the people, and they come together as one.
Saul gathers the army at Bezek.
The number of men is enormous. There are three hundred thousand from the children of Israel and thirty thousand from Judah.
Messengers return to Jabeshgilead and tell the people that help will come the next day.
The men of Jabesh are encouraged by the news.
They send word to Nahash that they will surrender themselves the next day.
However, they are preparing for battle.
Saul divides the army into three groups.
During the morning watch, they enter the middle of the camp of the Ammonites and attack them.
The Ammonite army is defeated.
Those who survive are scattered so completely that no two of them remain together.
The victory gives Saul an important opportunity to establish himself as Israel's king.
After the battle, the people remember those who had previously questioned Saul's ability to lead them.
Some Israelites ask, "Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us?"
They want those people brought forward so that they can be killed.
Saul refuses to allow revenge.
He says that no one should be put to death on a day when the Lord has given Israel such a great victory.
Instead, Saul gives the credit to God.
Samuel then tells the people to go to Gilgal so that they can renew the kingdom there.
The people go to Gilgal and make Saul king before the Lord.
They offer sacrifices of peace offerings before the Lord, and Saul and all the men of Israel rejoice greatly.
This chapter is important because Saul's kingship becomes real through action.
In chapter 10, Saul was chosen and publicly recognized as king but some people questioned whether he was capable of leading Israel. In chapter 11, Saul faces a serious national crisis and responds with courage.
The situation at Jabeshgilead is particularly serious because Nahash is not just asking the people to surrender. His demand is designed to humiliate them and weaken Israel's reputation. The people of Jabesh know that they cannot overcome the Ammonites by themselves so they appeal to the rest of Israel for help.
Saul's response is very different from the uncertainty he showed earlier.
When he hears what has happened, the Spirit of God comes upon him and he finds the courage to act. He does not stay in Gibeah waiting for someone else to solve the problem. He gathers the people and prepares an army.
The way Saul gathers Israel is significant too. The people come together with a sense of unity. The chapter says that the fear of the Lord falls upon them and they respond together.
The victory is decisive. Saul divides the army into three groups and attacks during the morning watch. The Ammonites are caught by surprise and completely defeated.
This victory changes the way people view Saul.
Earlier, some had asked how Saul could save Israel. Now he has led the nation to victory.
Yet Saul does not use the victory to revenge his critics. When some Israelites want to kill those who had rejected him, Saul refuses.
His response is one of the strongest moments in the chapter. He says that no one should be put to death because the Lord has given Israel deliverance that day.
Instead of using his new authority to settle personal disputes, Saul allows the victory to become a reason for national unity.
Samuel then calls the people to Gilgal to renew the kingdom.
This is more than just a celebration of military success. Saul's leadership is now publicly recognized by the nation. The people recognize him as king and sacrifices are offered to the Lord.
The chapter also reminds readers that Saul's success comes from God. The Spirit of God comes upon Saul, the people are united through the fear of the Lord and Saul himself gives credit to God for the victory.
The story of Jabeshgilead also ties Saul's kingship to one of the major responsibilities of a king. Israel had wanted a king who would go before them and fight their battles. Now Saul does exactly that.
At the same time, the chapter gives an early picture of Saul as a leader who can act decisively, inspire people and show restraint after victory.
The ending is full of celebration. The people go to Gilgal, renew the kingdom, offer peace offerings and rejoice greatly.
1 Samuel chapter 11 therefore establishes Saul as a genuine national leader. His position is no longer based only on Samuel's anointing or the casting of lots. He has now led Israel in battle and delivered the people from a serious threat. The chapter closes with Saul's kingship firmly accepted and Israel united in celebration before the Lord.
Nahash the Ammonite comes up and surrounds Jabeshgilead.
The men of Jabesh are afraid because they are badly outnumbered. They ask Nahash to make a covenant with them, offering to become his servants.
Nahash agrees, only on cruel terms.
He says that he will make a covenant with them if he can put out the right eye of every man in the city. He wants to bring shame upon all Israel.
The elders of Jabesh ask for seven days so they can send messengers throughout the land of Israel. If no one comes to rescue them, they will surrender to Nahash.
The messengers come to Gibeah, where Saul is living, and tell the people what has happened.
The people hear the news and begin to weep.
Saul is returning from the field behind the oxen when he comes upon the people mourning. He asks why they are crying.
When Saul hears the message from Jabeshgilead, the Spirit of God comes upon him.
His anger becomes intense.
Saul takes a yoke of oxen and cuts them into pieces. He sends the pieces throughout the land of Israel with a message.
He tells the people that the same thing will happen to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel into battle.
Fear from the Lord falls upon the people, and they come together as one.
Saul gathers the army at Bezek.
The number of men is enormous. There are three hundred thousand from the children of Israel and thirty thousand from Judah.
Messengers return to Jabeshgilead and tell the people that help will come the next day.
The men of Jabesh are encouraged by the news.
They send word to Nahash that they will surrender themselves the next day.
However, they are preparing for battle.
Saul divides the army into three groups.
During the morning watch, they enter the middle of the camp of the Ammonites and attack them.
The Ammonite army is defeated.
Those who survive are scattered so completely that no two of them remain together.
The victory gives Saul an important opportunity to establish himself as Israel's king.
After the battle, the people remember those who had previously questioned Saul's ability to lead them.
Some Israelites ask, "Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us?"
They want those people brought forward so that they can be killed.
Saul refuses to allow revenge.
He says that no one should be put to death on a day when the Lord has given Israel such a great victory.
Instead, Saul gives the credit to God.
Samuel then tells the people to go to Gilgal so that they can renew the kingdom there.
The people go to Gilgal and make Saul king before the Lord.
They offer sacrifices of peace offerings before the Lord, and Saul and all the men of Israel rejoice greatly.
This chapter is important because Saul's kingship becomes real through action.
In chapter 10, Saul was chosen and publicly recognized as king but some people questioned whether he was capable of leading Israel. In chapter 11, Saul faces a serious national crisis and responds with courage.
The situation at Jabeshgilead is particularly serious because Nahash is not just asking the people to surrender. His demand is designed to humiliate them and weaken Israel's reputation. The people of Jabesh know that they cannot overcome the Ammonites by themselves so they appeal to the rest of Israel for help.
Saul's response is very different from the uncertainty he showed earlier.
When he hears what has happened, the Spirit of God comes upon him and he finds the courage to act. He does not stay in Gibeah waiting for someone else to solve the problem. He gathers the people and prepares an army.
The way Saul gathers Israel is significant too. The people come together with a sense of unity. The chapter says that the fear of the Lord falls upon them and they respond together.
The victory is decisive. Saul divides the army into three groups and attacks during the morning watch. The Ammonites are caught by surprise and completely defeated.
This victory changes the way people view Saul.
Earlier, some had asked how Saul could save Israel. Now he has led the nation to victory.
Yet Saul does not use the victory to revenge his critics. When some Israelites want to kill those who had rejected him, Saul refuses.
His response is one of the strongest moments in the chapter. He says that no one should be put to death because the Lord has given Israel deliverance that day.
Instead of using his new authority to settle personal disputes, Saul allows the victory to become a reason for national unity.
Samuel then calls the people to Gilgal to renew the kingdom.
This is more than just a celebration of military success. Saul's leadership is now publicly recognized by the nation. The people recognize him as king and sacrifices are offered to the Lord.
The chapter also reminds readers that Saul's success comes from God. The Spirit of God comes upon Saul, the people are united through the fear of the Lord and Saul himself gives credit to God for the victory.
The story of Jabeshgilead also ties Saul's kingship to one of the major responsibilities of a king. Israel had wanted a king who would go before them and fight their battles. Now Saul does exactly that.
At the same time, the chapter gives an early picture of Saul as a leader who can act decisively, inspire people and show restraint after victory.
The ending is full of celebration. The people go to Gilgal, renew the kingdom, offer peace offerings and rejoice greatly.
1 Samuel chapter 11 therefore establishes Saul as a genuine national leader. His position is no longer based only on Samuel's anointing or the casting of lots. He has now led Israel in battle and delivered the people from a serious threat. The chapter closes with Saul's kingship firmly accepted and Israel united in celebration before the Lord.