1 Samuel 11

Saul disobeys God's commands, leading to his rejection as king. Samuel anoints David as the next king.

image of 1 Samuel 11

15
verses
2
min


Saul's Disobedience and Rejection

1 Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabeshgilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee.
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.
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 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, 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, 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.
10 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.
11 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.
12 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.
13 And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel.
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 Israel rejoiced greatly.

Commentary

1 Samuel 11 is a chapter that tells the story of how Saul, the first king of Israel, was chosen by God to lead the nation. It begins with the prophet Samuel gathering the people of Israel together to anoint Saul as their king. Saul is then presented to the people and they accept him as their leader. The chapter then goes on to describe how Saul leads the people of Israel in battle against the Ammonites. Saul is successful in defeating the Ammonites and the people of Israel are greatly impressed with his leadership. The chapter ends with Saul being accepted by the people of Israel as their king. This is a significant moment in the history of Israel as it marks the beginning of the monarchy. This chapter is important because it shows how God chose Saul to be the leader of Israel. It also shows how Saul was able to lead the people of Israel in battle and how they accepted him as their king. This chapter is a reminder of how God works in mysterious ways and how He can use anyone to accomplish His will.

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FAQ

Assuming a reader with an average reading speed of 300 WPM reads the 1 Samuel, chapter 11 it would take approximately 2 minutes to finish.

There are 15 verses in 1 Samuel, chapter 11.