1 Samuel 11
-Nahash, the Ammonite (of the sons of Ammon east of the Dead
Sea area), came up and besieged Jabesh-gilead on the east side of the Jordan.
The men of Jabesh were afraid and asked for a covenant of peace to serve the Ammonites.
But the conditions laid on them from Nahash were extremely harsh. He told them
that if they became a reproach to all Israel by having their right eye gauged
out by his people, then there would be an agreement not to kill them. The elders
of Jabesh asked for a seven-day decision period to get their brothers input
from Israel. If there were none to deliver them, then they would accept the
brutal terms of this offer (1 Samuel 11:1-3).
-The messengers sent out by the elders of Jabesh came to
Gibeah of Saul and spoke these words, which Nahash had threatened them with, to
all the people. This caused the inhabitants to lift up their voices in weeping
and wailing. As Saul came in from the field this day, he asked why all the commotion
and weeping. When he heard what was going on, the Spirit of the LORD came upon
Saul mightily again, and he became angry with righteous indignation. He took a
yoke of oxen and cut them into pieces and sent them throughout the territory of
Israel through messengers telling them, “Whoever does not come out after Saul
and after Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen.” This caused the dread of
the LORD to come on all the people, and they came out as one man, unified and
determined. War was in the air at this point. The warriors of Israel were
numbered just to the west of the Jordan River at Bezek, just across the river
from Jabesh-gilead. Their number came to 300,000, and Judah had 30,000. They
informed the messengers who had come to them to go tell their brethren in
Jabesh-gilead, “Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you will have
deliverance. This gave hope and life to these messengers as well as the people
of Jabesh-gilead. They were indeed glad. The men of Jabesh-gilead let them know
that they would be coming out for battle the next day and do everything that
seemed good to them in service. The next morning Saul commanded the army of
Israel by putting them into three distinct companies, and they came into the
midst of the camp for a fight at the morning watch. They struck down the
Ammonites until the heat of the day scattering the survivors so that no two
were even left together (1 Samuel 11:4-11). A complete and utter victory was achieved!
-The naysayers that were worthless men of negativity (1
Samuel 10:27) were now sought out by the people of Israel in the aftermath. They
said, “Who is he that said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring the men, that we
may put them to death.” But Saul showed humility and grace in this instance
seeking no revenge and giving glory to God, “Not a man shall be put to death
this day, for today the LORD has accomplished deliverance in Israel.” Samuel
stepped in at this point, “Come and let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingdom
there.” Therefore, everyone went to Gilgal to the south along the Jordan River
on the west side, where Israel had first camped in the Promised Land before
their attack of Jericho. There they made Saul king before the LORD and offered
sacrifices of peace offerings before their Covenant God once again. “And there
Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly (1 Samuel 11:12-15).” It was a
great day in the history of Israel.
-*Application* There are leadership lessons to be learned
from this particular passage. The elders of Jabesh-gilead were prudent in
taking some time for their decision and seeking extended council. This saved
their city and their days. Saul showed some moxy by being filled with the
Spirit and taking quick, decisive, bold action in the face of a threat. He was
able to unify a body and fight a worthy, just fight. Afterwards, Saul did not
act vindictively or harsh in his victory towards those of his own clan who had
opposed him and had spoken ill of him. In other words, he had a forgiving
spirit. This is grace. Then, Samuel wrapped it all up with a faithful act of
worship in a holy place. There was a celebration of all God had accomplished
and an established peace. This sets the standard for any organization to emulate.
Verse to Memorize:
1 Samuel 11:13
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