CHAPTER XI _Nahash, king of the Ammonites, besieges Jabesh-gilead; and_ _proposes to its inhabitants the most degrading conditions of_ _peace_, 1, 2. _They apply to their brethren for help_, 3, 4. _Saul hears of their distress; takes a yoke of oxen, hews them_ _in pieces, and sends them throug... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 11:2. _I MAY THRUST OUT ALL YOUR RIGHT EVES_] This cruel condition would serve at once as a badge of their _slavery_, and a means of incapacitating them from being effective warriors. _Theodoret_ observes, "He who opposes his shield to the enemy with his left hand, thereby hides his l... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 11:3. _GIVE US SEVEN DAYS RESPITE_] Such promises are frequently made by besieged places: "We will surrender if not relieved in so many days;" and such conditions are generally received by the besiegers.... [ Continue Reading ]
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 delivera... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 11:5. _SAUL CAME AFTER THE HERD_] He had been bred up to an _agricultural_ life, and after his consecration he returned to it, waiting for a call of Divine providence, which he considered he had now received in the message from Jabesh-gilead. It has often been remarked, that mighty k... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 11:6. _THE SPIRIT OF GOD CAME UPON SAUL_] He felt himself _strongly excited_ to attempt the relief of his brethren. _AND HIS ANGER WAS KINDLED GREATLY._] I believe this means no more than that _his courage was greatly excited _- he felt himself strong for fight, and confident of succ... [ Continue Reading ]
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 o... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 11:8. _THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL WERE THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND, AND_ _THE MEN OF JUDAH THIRTY THOUSAND._] This was a vast army, but the _Septuagint_ make it even more: "All the men of Israel were ἑξακοσιας χιλιαδας, SIX HUNDRED _thousand_; and the men of Judah ̔βδομηκοντα χιλιαδας, SEVENT... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 11:10. _TO-MORROW WE WILL COME OUT UNTO YOU_] They concealed the information they had received of Saul's promised assistance. They did _come_ out unto them; but it was in a different manner to what the Ammonites expected.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 11:11. _PUT THE PEOPLE IN THREE COMPANIES_] Intending to attack the Ammonites in three different points, and to give his own men more _room_ to act. _IN THE MORNING WATCH_] He probably began his march in the evening, passed Jordan in the night, and reached the camp of the Ammonites b... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 11:12. _WHO_ IS _HE THAT SAID, SHALL SAUL REIGN_] Now, flushed with victory and proud of their leader, they wished to give him a proof of their attachment by slaying, even in cool blood, the persons who were at first averse from his being intrusted with the supreme power! The common s... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 11:13. _THERE SHALL NOT A MAN BE PUT TO DEATH_] This was as much to Saul's credit as the lately proposed measure was to the discredit of his soldiers.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 11:14. _RENEW THE KINGDOM_] The unction of Saul, in the first instance, was a very private act; and his being appointed to be king was not known to the people in general. He had now shown himself worthy to command the people; and Samuel takes advantage of this circumstance to gain the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 11:15. _THERE THEY MADE SAUL KING_] It is likely, from these words, that Saul was anointed a second time; he was now publicly acknowledged, and there was no gainsayer. Thus far Saul acted well, and the kingdom seemed to be confirmed in his hand; but soon through _imprudence_ he lost i... [ Continue Reading ]