In my post Like Everyone Else, I described how the children of Israel desired to have a king who would go out before them and fight their battles. (1 Samuel 8:20) In this study of 1 Samuel 11, we will witness God’s faithfulness in fulfilling Israel’s vision of what a king should be.

Saul had been proclaimed king (for more details check out Making a King) but not everyone was convinced (1 Samuel 10:27). In this condition of affairs, Saul did not see fit to assume the royal dignity. So he left Samuel to administer the government as formerly, while he returned to Gibeah. He was honorably escorted by a company of valiant men (1 Samuel 10:27), who witnessed the divine choice in his selection and were determined to sustain him. But Saul made no attempt to maintain by force his right to the throne. In his home among the uplands of Benjamin, he quietly occupied himself in the duties of a farmer, leaving the establishment of his authority entirely to God.

Not long after Saul’s appointment the Ammonites, under their king, Nahash (the name means “a serpent”), invaded the territory of the tribes east of Jordan and threatened the city of Jabesh-Gilead. The inhabitants tried to secure terms of peace by offering to become tributary to the Ammonites. But Nahash was a cruel king and would not be satisfied with just “taxes” and added the condition that he might put out the right eye of every one of them, thus making them abiding witnesses to his power. This would bring disgrace to all of Israel as well as deep humiliation and handicap for each individual who would be mutilated. They would still be able to farm, but would not be able to fight in a battle effectively since their field of vision would be reduced and they would lose their depth perception.

When I was researching this passage I found that the Dead Sea Scrolls as well as Josephus mention that Nahash, the Ammonite king, had been oppressing the Gadites and Reubenites and had previously gouged out all their right eyes. They also note that 7,000 men had managed to escape the Ammonites and were in Jabesh-Gilead—the place of the conflict in 1 Samuel 11:1. (Bergen, Robert D. 1, 2 Samuel. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 1996. Print. p135)

The elders of Jabesh Gilead skillfully negotiate for more time (7 days) in exchange for a peaceful surrender if no one comes to their rescue. (1 Samuel 11:3) Perhaps Nahash was aware of the troubled history between Jabesh Gilead and the rest of Israel (Judges 11:4-11, Judges 19-21 [especially Judges 21:9-10]) and doubted they would receive any help. Or perhaps he was over-confident believing that a greater army would mean greater spoils.

The citizens of Jabesh Gilead decided to contact Saul, not only had he recently been declared king (1 Samuel 10) he was also from Gibeah and they had strong family and historical links with Jabesh Gilead (see Judges 21:1-23). A quick summary is that Gibeah had been almost completely wiped out and wives were taken from Jabesh Gilead to keep them from being completely destroyed forever (see Judges 19-21)

Then the Spirit of God came

Saul was humbly working the fields back home with the oxen when he notices the people are weeping.

So the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and told the news in the hearing of the people. And all the people lifted up their voices and wept. Now there was Saul, coming behind the herd from the field; and Saul said, “What troubles the people, that they weep?” And they told him the words of the men of Jabesh. 
- 1 Samuel 11:4-5 NKJV

Now things are about to change. God, the mighty God, the deliverer of Israel is about to do what He does best, save His people.

Then the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard this news, and his anger was greatly aroused. 
- 1 Samuel 11:6 NKJV (emphasis mine)

I love how, in the Old Testament, every time the Holy Spirit comes upon a person it always leads to an act or word that helps God’s people. (Bergen, Robert D. 1, 2 Samuel. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman, 1996. Print. p136)

The Spirit of God vs The Spirit of the LORD (YHWH)

From Genesis to 2 Kings, the Bible mentions five Israelites who have the Spirit of the LORD come over them.

• Othniel - Judges 3:10

• Gideon - Judges 6:34

• Jephthah - Judges 11:29

• Samson - Judges 14:6, 19: 15:4

• David - 1 Samuel 16:13

However, the only other person said to have the Spirit of God come over him is Balaam, a non-Israelite (Numbers 24:2) who ultimately brought harm to Israel (Numbers 31:16).

A Call to Arms

Saul now calls all of Israel to fight by butchering two valuable agricultural animals. Saul’s behavior is reminiscent of one performed by a Levite (Judges 19:29). Saul’s approach worked and the “terror of the LORD” fell on the people. The fear might have been accentuated by the punishment inflicted on a city, ironically Jabesh Gilead, that once had refused a similar call to assemble (Judges 21:5). The fact that Saul had just killed his oxen may also symbolize his career transition, from working the field to king.

You Shall Have Help

And they said to the messengers who came, “Thus you shall say to the men of Jabesh Gilead: ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have help.’ ” Then the messengers came and reported it to the men of Jabesh, and they were glad.
- 1 Samuel 11:9 NKJV (bold mine)

Now that the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead know they will have help, they are very glad. They also keep this information to themselves. They sent a message to the Ammonites that was not very clear.

Therefore the men of Jabesh said, “Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you may do with us whatever seems good to you.”
- 1 Samuel 10:10 NKJV

The Ammonites probably assumed that the men of Jabesh were going to surrender. It is probable that they began to celebrate and let their guard down that night. They were not expecting Saul and his army to strike. Saul divided the army into three companies and attacked the enemy somewhen between 2 A.M. and 6 A.M.

So it was, on the next day, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch, and killed Ammonites until the heat of the day. And it happened that those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.
- 1 Samuel 11:11NKJV

Saul’s victory was decisive and complete. There was essentially nothing left of the enemy army. With Saul’s victory also came national support for his leadership. So Samuel decided to renew the kingdom.

Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingdom there.”  So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal. There they made sacrifices of peace offerings before the Lord, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.
- 1 Samuel 11:14-15 NKJV

God saved his children once again. This story shows God’s willingness to use Saul to save His people. Should Saul continue to partner with God there is no reason for him to fail. God had taken Saul from humble farmer to mighty king and national hero. Things are going well, the future looks bright. Maybe having a king like all the other nations is not so bad after all, or is it?

We are learning that it is possible for Israel to be led by a human king, so long as the king is faithful to God. God is clearly willing to use Saul, the question then becomes whether Saul is willing to continue to be faithful to God, who gave him military victories and established him as king.