1 Samuel 11:4

_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._ No JFB commentary on this verse....

1-11 The first fruit of Saul's government was the rescue of Jabesh-gilead from the Ammonites. To save their lives, men will part with liberty, and even consent to have their eyes put out; is it then no wisdom to part with that sin which is as dear to us as our right eye, rather than to be cast into hell-fire? See the faith and confidence of Saul, and, grounded thereon, his courage and resolution. See also his activity in this business. When the Spirit of the Lord comes upon men, it will make them expert, even without experience. When zeal for the glory of God, and love for the brethren, urge men to earnest efforts, and when God is pleased to help, great effects may speedily be produced....

Verse 1 Samuel 11:4. _THEN CAME THE MESSENGERS TO GIBEAH_] It does not appear that the people of Jabesh-gilead knew any thing of Saul's appointment to the kingdom, for the message is not directed to him but to the _people_. _THE PEOPLE LIFTED UP THEIR VOICES AND WEPT._] They saw no hope of deliverance, and they expected that their reproach would be laid on all Israel....

They came to Gibeah on account of the connection between the Benjamites and the people of Jabesh Judges 21. IN THE EARS OF THE PEOPLE - They did not even inquire for Saul, so little was he looked upon as king. 1 Samuel 11:5 shows how completely he was still in a private and humble station....

CONFIRMATION OF SAUL IN THE KINGDOM (1Sa 11:1-15; 1 Samuel 12:1.). EXPOSITION THE DEFEAT OF THE AMMONITES (1 Samuel 11:1). 1 SAMUEL 11:1, 1 SAMUEL 11:2. NAHASH THE AMMONITE. The same name is found in 2 Samuel 10:2 as that of the father of Hanun, wh

THEN CAME THE MESSENGERS TO GIBEAH OF SAUL,.... Where he was born, and brought up, and now dwelt; and he being elected king, it brought an honour to the place; and from hence had this name, to distinguish it from the others, and this is the first time it was so called. Now the messengers from Jabesh came hither directly, because they knew that Saul, the chosen king, dwelt here, and the Benjaminites, of all the tribes, had great reason to show regard to them, since it was from thence they had four hundred wives, when they were reduced to six hundred men only, in order to raise up their tribe: AND TOLD THE TIDINGS IN THE EARS OF THE PEOPLE; Saul being not at home in the city, but in the fields, they reported to them the hardships their city was under, being besieged by the Ammonites, and threatened that if not relieved in such a time, all their right eyes would be plucked out: AND ALL TH...

4. THE KING'S FIRST VICTORY AND THE RENEWAL OF THE KINGDOM AT GILGAL CHAPTER 11 _ 1. The victory over Ammon (1 Samuel 11:1)_ 2. The kingdom renewed (1 Samuel 11:12) Nahash the Ammonite encamped against Jabesh-gilead. Nahash means “the serpent.” This invasion took place before Saul had been made king. From chapter 12:12 we learn that it really was the occasion why Israel demanded a king. In despair the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead offered to make a covenant with this old foe of Israel, whom Jephthah had so successfully fought. Ammon represents typically the enemy of God's people characterized by evil doctrines and perversions of the truth of God. How often compromise is made with the most subtle errors which emanate from Nahash, the serpent! But he makes his condition,

1 SAMUEL 11. SAUL DELIVERS JABESH-GILEAD AND IS MADE KING. (J) continues the ancient narrative, sequel to 1 Samuel 10:16. Putting aside 1 Samuel 11:12, inserted by an editor to connect this chapter with the Deuteronomic document, the rest shows clearly that the writer knew nothing of any previous public appointment of Saul to be king: when the messengers come to Gibeah, they do not ask for Saul, and no one thinks of him until he himself intervenes. 1 Samuel 8 is probably a later addition; the reference to Judah, before David comes upon the scene, and the exaggerated numbers, are not characteristic of the earlier documents in _Samuel._ 1 SAMUEL 11:1. About a month after Saul's interview with S

_lift up their voices and wept_ Oriental nations naturally display their feelings in tears accompanied by loud wailings. Cp. ch. 1 Samuel 30:4; Genesis 27:38; Judges 2:4; Judges 21:2, &c. Achilles, Patroclus and other Homeric heroes shed tears in a way which western nations account utterly unmanly....

JABESH-GILEAD DELIVERED. 1 SAMUEL 11:4-11 4 Then came the messengers to Gibeah of Saul, and told the tidings in the ears of the people: all the people lifted up their voices, and wept. 5 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. 6 And the spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly. 7 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. 8 And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, a