1 Samuel 11:7

_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._ He took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces - (see the note at Judges 19:1.) This particular form of war-summons was suited to the character and habits of an agricultural and pastoral people. Solemn in itself, the denunciation that accompanied it carried a terrible threat to these that neglected to obey it. Saul conjoins the name of Samuel with his own, to lend the greater influence to the measure, and strike greater terror into all contemners of the order. The small contingent furnished by Judah suggests that the disaffection to Saul was strongest in that tribe.

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 11:7. _HE TOOK A YOKE OF OPEN_] The sending the _pieces_ of the oxen was an act similar to that of the Levite, Judges 19:29, where see the note. And both customs are similar to the sending about of the _bloody cross_, to call the clans to battle, practised by the ancient Highlanders of Scotland. See at the end of this chapter. 1 Samuel 11:15...

Though not expressly stated, it is doubtless implied that he sent the portions by the messengers to the twelve tribes, after the analogy, and probably in imitation, of Judges 19:29. He made use of the revered name of Samuel to strengthen his own weak authority. Samuel accompanied Saul in the expedition 1 Samuel 11:12....

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

AND HE TOOK A YOKE OF OXEN,.... Of his own or his father's, which he had just followed out of the field, and for which chiefly that circumstance is mentioned: AND HEWED THEM IN PIECES; as the Levite did his concubine, Judges 19:29 AND SENT THEM THROUGHOUT ALL THE COASTS OF ISRAEL BY THE HANDS OF MESSENGERS; some carrying a piece one way, and some another, throughout all the tribes; for to them all the government of Saul extended, and which by this he let them know it did: SAYING, WHOSOEVER COMETH NOT AFTER SAUL AND AFTER SAMUEL; he names both, because he himself, though chosen king, was not inaugurated into his office, nor was Samuel put out of his; and because he knew he was despised by some, who would not object to and refuse the authority of Samuel, and therefore if they would not follow him, they would follow Samuel; and he menti

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

HEWED. Always used of dividing what is already dead, and mostly of sacrifices. MESSENGERS. the messengers. THE LORD. Hebrew. _Jehovah_. App-4. WITH ONE CONSENT. Hebrew as one man. Hebrew. _'ish._ App-14....

_he took a yoke of oxen_ Those doubtless with which he had just been ploughing (1 Samuel 11:5). _and sent_them] - _Them_," i.e. the pieces, is rightly supplied. Symbolical acts are often more eloquent than any words. Cp. Judges 19:29; 1 Kings 11:30; 1Ki 22:11; 2 Kings 13:18. We may compare the Fiery Cross which used to be sent round as the signal for the gathering of the Highland clans in Scotland. It was "scathed with flame," and "quenched in blood" as an emblem of the fire and sword awaiting all who should neglect its summons. See _The Lady of the Lake_, Canto III., Stanzas 8 11. by the hands of messengers