1 Samuel Chapter 11

Saul’s Victory at Jabesh Gilead
A. Saul’s Victory

1. (1 Samuel 11:1–2) Nahash the Ammonite gives an ultimatum to an Israelite city.

“Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabesh Gilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee. 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.”

The Ammonite leader Nahash came against the Israelite city of Jabesh Gilead with overwhelming force. The men of Jabesh, seeing no hope in their own strength, sought to negotiate their survival rather than fight to the death. Their words, “Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee,” reveal the depth of their despair. They were willing to submit to the bondage of a pagan enemy instead of crying out to the Lord for deliverance.

This moment exposes the spiritual condition of Israel at that time. Instead of humbling themselves before God and repenting for the sins that had brought judgment upon them, they sought human compromise. Their fear of death outweighed their faith in God. Blaikie observed that this spirit of surrender shows how sin and spiritual apathy sap courage and destroy noble resolve. Just as they offered submission to Nahash to avoid destruction, men often spiritually surrender to Satan, saying in effect, “Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee.”

Nahash’s demand was monstrous: he would make peace only if he could gouge out every man’s right eye. His name, Nahash, literally means “serpent,” and his cruelty reflects the nature of the adversary himself. The serpent always seeks to maim, enslave, and disgrace those created in the image of God. By removing the right eye, Nahash would both humiliate Israel and cripple their military ability. In ancient warfare, the left hand bore the shield, which naturally covered the left eye. The right eye was needed for aiming and fighting. As Theodoret noted, “He who opposes his shield to the enemy with his left hand hides his left eye, and looks at his enemy with his right eye; he therefore who plucks out that right eye makes men useless in war.”

The symbolism extends beyond physical warfare. Spiritually, Satan acts in the same manner as Nahash the serpent:

1. He attacks only by consent. He cannot overcome the believer unless given ground through compromise or sin.

2. He demands service. He desires not merely to harm but to enslave, demanding our allegiance.

3. He seeks humiliation. Satan delights in bringing reproach upon God’s people, using their failures to mock the name of the Lord.

4. He cripples resistance. Just as Nahash would blind the right eye to destroy depth perception, Satan blinds the spiritual eyes of believers through sin, pride, or fear, weakening their discernment in spiritual battle.

5. He blinds gradually. If he cannot blind a person entirely, he will settle for partial blindness, dulling spiritual vision until one cannot perceive truth clearly.

Nahash’s cruelty was not merely an act of war but a deliberate attempt to dishonor Israel and God Himself. It prefigures how the adversary continues to target believers: by intimidation, by shame, and by the subtle erosion of faith. The men of Jabesh Gilead faced a decision between surrender and faith, the same choice presented to every generation of God’s people when confronted by the enemy’s threats.

2. (1 Samuel 11:3) The elders of Jabesh Gilead answer Nahash.

“And 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.”

The elders of Jabesh Gilead sought time to consider their fate. They pleaded for seven days to send messengers throughout Israel to see if anyone would come to their aid. Their request shows a faint spark of hope mixed with desperation. They were not yet ready to submit completely to Nahash’s cruel terms, but they also did not possess the strength to resist him on their own. Their statement, “if there be no man to save us,” reveals that they still had some sense of needing a deliverer, though they did not yet appeal to the LORD for salvation.

The decision to send messengers throughout Israel shows that they were aware of their helplessness. They knew that unless someone else intervened, they would be defeated and humiliated. In a spiritual sense, this is the condition of all mankind apart from Christ—unable to save themselves and in need of a Savior. The humility of realizing “if there be no man to save us” should have driven them to seek divine help, but at this point, they sought merely human deliverance.

Nahash’s agreement to delay for seven days reveals both arrogance and strategy. He was overconfident in Israel’s disunity and spiritual weakness. He believed no one would come to Jabesh Gilead’s aid, and by letting the messengers travel freely, he spread terror throughout Israel. His name and cruelty became known across the land, serving his purpose of intimidation. Yet God in His providence used this delay to awaken the nation and prepare Saul for his first great act as king. What Nahash intended for humiliation became the opportunity for God to demonstrate His power through His chosen leader.

3. (1 Samuel 11:4–5) Saul hears of the plight of Jabesh Gilead.

“Then 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. And, behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field; and Saul said, What aileth the people that they weep? And they told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh.”

When the messengers reached Gibeah, Saul’s hometown, they delivered the grim news. The people, hearing of Jabesh Gilead’s situation, wept loudly. Their sorrow reflected both compassion and fear, for they knew that the shame and violence aimed at Jabesh could soon reach them as well. Nahash’s strategy had succeeded in spreading fear across Israel.

At this moment, Saul was still living humbly, coming “after the herd out of the field.” Though already anointed as king, Saul had not yet established any royal court or military command. Israel’s governance was still loosely organized, with no formal structure of authority. Saul’s return from the field shows that he was not driven by pride or ambition. He was content to wait upon the LORD for direction and timing. This humility was commendable and reflected godly restraint.

When Saul asked, “What aileth the people that they weep?” he displayed concern for the nation. Upon hearing the message from the men of Jabesh, the Spirit of God would soon stir him to righteous anger and leadership. But here, we first see the need that prompted God’s appointed king to act. This passage also highlights Israel’s lack of centralized leadership; without an organized government, news of the nation’s crises reached Saul through the people rather than through any official channel. God used this spontaneous and humble setting to reveal that true leadership is not found in earthly systems, but in divine calling and obedience to His Spirit.

4. (1 Samuel 11:6–8) Zealous for Israel’s cause, Saul angrily gathers an army.

“And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly. 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. And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.”

When Saul heard of Jabesh Gilead’s distress, the Spirit of God came upon him, stirring him to action. This moment marked the beginning of Saul’s divine empowerment for leadership. The Spirit did not come to entertain or exalt him, but to equip him for service. God’s Spirit always comes with purpose—to enable obedience and accomplish His will through His chosen instruments. The anointing of the Spirit is not given for personal experience or emotion, but for effectiveness in ministry and the advancement of God’s purposes.

Saul’s anger was greatly aroused, yet this was not a carnal or selfish anger, but a righteous indignation born from the Spirit of God. Scripture teaches, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath” (Ephesians 4:26). Saul’s anger was the kind that aligns with God’s own heart when His people are oppressed or dishonored. He was angry not for himself, but for the reproach brought upon Israel and the desecration of God’s name by Nahash. Spirit-led anger is not impulsive rage but moral fire, motivating godly action.

To rally the nation, Saul took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces, sending the bloody fragments throughout Israel. His message was clear: “Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen.” This graphic display echoed the ancient covenant warning of judgment for disobedience. Saul’s methods were severe, but the urgency of the crisis justified his intensity. Israel had long been apathetic and divided; the people needed to be shocked out of complacency. When God’s cause is righteous and the danger imminent, doing nothing is sin. Scripture warns, “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). Indifference in the face of evil invites judgment as surely as rebellion.

Saul also invoked Samuel’s name in the decree: “Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel.” This was not mere flattery or formality. It symbolized unity between the monarchy and the prophetic office. Saul recognized Samuel’s spiritual authority and saw himself as acting under divine commission. Baldwin observes that this implies Saul expected Samuel to accompany him, acknowledging that his military action was under the Spirit’s direction, not his own ambition.

The people’s response was immediate. “The fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.” The combination of divine conviction and Saul’s decisive leadership stirred the entire nation. Israel, previously disunited and hesitant, now gathered as one. At Bezek, Saul counted a vast army—three hundred thousand from Israel and thirty thousand from Judah. The mention of Judah separately is significant, as it foreshadows the later division between the northern and southern kingdoms, yet here the Spirit of God united them in one purpose.

This episode marks the high point of Saul’s early reign. Under the influence of the Spirit, he displayed courage, authority, and obedience. The same man who once hid among the baggage now stood boldly as God’s instrument of deliverance. It is a reminder that true leadership in God’s kingdom is not about title or position, but about being filled with His Spirit and zealous for His cause.

5. (1 Samuel 11:9–11) The defeat of Nahash the Ammonite.

“And they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall ye say unto the men of Jabeshgilead, To morrow, by that time the sun be hot, ye shall have help. And the messengers came and shewed it to the men of Jabesh; and they were glad. Therefore the men of Jabesh said, To morrow we will come out unto you, and ye shall do with us all that seemeth good unto you. And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together.”

The messengers who had spread throughout Israel returned to Jabesh Gilead with the glorious news of deliverance. They proclaimed, “Tomorrow, by that time the sun be hot, ye shall have help.” These words transformed despair into joy. Previously, the men of Jabesh had no certainty that anyone would come to save them; now they knew that a deliverer was on the way. Their response, “and they were glad,” illustrates a deep spiritual truth: knowing that we have a Savior should always fill the heart with joy and confidence. Just as Israel rejoiced when help was assured, the believer rejoices in the knowledge that Christ has come to rescue us from sin and death.

The men of Jabesh then sent a message back to Nahash: “Tomorrow we will come out unto you, and ye shall do with us all that seemeth good unto you.” This statement was intentionally deceptive, creating the illusion that they would surrender peacefully. In reality, it was a strategic ruse to lull Nahash into overconfidence. Baldwin notes, “The message contained a clever ambiguity, while giving the impression that surrender was intended.” Nahash, believing victory secured, likely lowered his guard and relaxed his forces for the night. This deception was not born of treachery but of wisdom in warfare, for it was designed to save an innocent city from destruction.

Saul then arranged his forces wisely. Scripture records that “Saul put the people in three companies.” This demonstrates his emerging skill as a military leader. Dividing an army into three flanks allowed for a coordinated surprise attack from multiple directions, a tactic used effectively in ancient warfare. The timing of the assault—“in the morning watch”—was between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., when soldiers were most weary and least prepared for battle. The Israelites fell upon the Ammonite camp unexpectedly, overwhelming them before they could organize a defense.

The slaughter continued “until the heat of the day,” meaning for several hours after dawn, and the victory was complete. Scripture says, “They which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together.” The Ammonites, once unified and confident, were utterly broken and dispersed. Their strength dissolved under the power of God’s Spirit working through Saul and Israel’s army. What began as a desperate plea for deliverance ended in total triumph.

This battle not only secured Jabesh Gilead but also solidified Saul’s authority as king. The Spirit of God had empowered him to lead, and the people now recognized him as a capable, divinely appointed leader. It also testified that when God’s people unite under His chosen leader and act in obedience, no enemy can stand against them.

Spiritually, this victory mirrors the believer’s experience in Christ. Once facing certain defeat and humiliation under the bondage of sin, the sinner finds deliverance through the power of the Savior. Just as Saul’s intervention brought freedom and restored hope to Jabesh Gilead, so Christ’s triumph brings deliverance, scattering every force of darkness that once held dominion over the soul.

B. Saul’s Coronation

1. (1 Samuel 11:12–13) Saul shows mercy to his former opponents.

“And 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. And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel.”

Following the great victory over the Ammonites, the hearts of the people were lifted in triumph. Their zeal for Saul overflowed into indignation toward those who had once questioned his right to reign. They said, “Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? Bring the men, that we may put them to death.” Earlier, some had despised Saul and refused to recognize him as king (1 Samuel 10:27). Now that God had clearly vindicated Saul’s leadership through victory, the people wanted to avenge those earlier insults by executing his critics.

Yet Saul’s response revealed the best of his character: “There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel.” He refused to let personal pride or vengeance taint the joy of God’s deliverance. Saul understood that this was not a day for settling scores but a day to glorify God. His humility and restraint demonstrated the wisdom of a man walking in the Spirit of God. He attributed the victory entirely to the LORD, saying, “the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel.”

This was a critical spiritual insight. In 1 Samuel 11:3, the men of Jabesh Gilead had wondered if there was any man to save them, but now Saul clearly acknowledged that it was the LORD who had accomplished salvation through him. At a moment when many men would have exalted themselves, Saul humbled himself and gave glory to God. Satan, having failed through Nahash’s external attack, sought to divide Israel from within through vengeance and arrogance. But Saul resisted the temptation, keeping unity and humility intact.

Here Saul shines as a model of leadership under the Spirit’s influence—merciful, self-controlled, and giving honor to God alone. Sadly, this spirit would not characterize the rest of his reign, but in this moment he reflected the heart of a godly king.

2. (1 Samuel 11:14–15) Saul is accepted as king by the entire nation.

“Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there. 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.”

Samuel seized this moment of unity and victory to consolidate Saul’s kingship, saying, “Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.” The prophet recognized that though Saul had been previously anointed by him (1 Samuel 10:1) and publicly proclaimed king (1 Samuel 10:24), not all of Israel had accepted his rule. Many still doubted his leadership until this decisive victory proved God’s hand upon him.

Samuel’s wisdom is evident. He saw that this national deliverance presented the perfect opportunity to bring all Israel together before the LORD and “renew the kingdom.” Baldwin aptly notes that even the Ammonite invasion served as the opportunity Saul needed to prove himself as the chosen leader who could “save his people from their oppressors.” The coronation at Gilgal unified the nation spiritually and politically under one king, reaffirming that the monarchy was to operate under the authority of God’s covenant and the guidance of His prophet.

The people “made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal.” This public affirmation did not make Saul king in the divine sense—he had already been chosen and anointed—but it completed the process of national recognition. True kingship required both divine appointment and public acceptance. Similarly, in the spiritual realm, Jesus Christ has been anointed as King by the Father, yet believers must personally recognize His authority in their lives. F. B. Meyer observes, “Jesus is our King. The Father hath anointed Him and set Him on His holy hill; and we have gladly assented to the appointment and made Him King. But sometimes our sense of loyalty wanes… therefore we need from time to time to renew the kingdom and reverently make Him King before the Lord.”

Following Saul’s formal coronation, the people offered “sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD.” This was a joyful act of thanksgiving, symbolizing restored fellowship with God and unity among His people. It was both a celebration of victory and a consecration of Saul’s reign to the LORD. The text concludes, “And there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.” They rejoiced not merely because they had a king, but because they had seen the mighty hand of God save them through that king.

At this moment Saul stood at the pinnacle of his leadership—victorious in battle, magnanimous in spirit, and filled with the favor of God. Yet this scene also serves as a solemn reminder: it is not how a leader begins but how he continues that determines his legacy. Blaikie poignantly remarks, “O Saul, Saul, how well for thee it would have been hadst thou maintained this spirit! For then God would not have had to reject thee from being king.”