CONTENTS This Chapter opens with an account of Israel's distress, by reason Of the Ammonites' daring encampment against Jabesh-Gilead. The Gileadites are disposed to submit to the Ammonites, but their terms are both insolent and cruel. Saul being made acquainted with the circumstances of the case,... [ Continue Reading ]
(2) 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. Observe, what fear must have taken possession of the minds of Israel, when the people are ready to submit to the yoke o... [ Continue Reading ]
(3) 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. (4) Then came the messengers to Gibeah of Saul, and told the tidings in the ears of the people: and a... [ Continue Reading ]
(5) В¶ 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... [ Continue Reading ]
(8) And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand. (9) And they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall ye say unto the men of Jabeshgilead, Tomorrow, by that time the sun be hot, ye shall have help. And the messen... [ Continue Reading ]
(12) В¶ 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. The zeal of the Israelites for Saul, after so complete a victory, is not to be wondered at. They would have sacrificed, no doubt, anything at the moment, to show the... [ Continue Reading ]
(13) And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for today the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel. This conduct in Saul, was both generous, and becoming. David felt similar affections towards Shimei, his sworn enemy. 2 Samuel 19:21.... [ Continue Reading ]
(14) Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there. (15) 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... [ Continue Reading ]
REFLECTIONS MY soul! in those Ammorites behold the sworn foes, not of Israel of old only, but of the Israel of God, in all ages. How alive are they to harrass, and afflict believers. The reproach of Israel is their delight. To put out their right eyes would be their highest joy. And how hast thou, m... [ Continue Reading ]