1 Samuel 11:1-12:15 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 11:1-4

The Ammonites were bad neighbours to those tribes of Israel that lay next them, though descendants from just Lot, and, for that reason, dealt civilly with by Israel. See Deut. 2:19. Jephthah, in his time, had humbled them, but now the sin of Israel had put them into a capacity to make head again, and avenge that quarrel. The city of Jabesh-Gilead had been, some ages ago, destroyed by Israel's sword of justice, for not appearing against the wickedness of Gibeah (Jdg. 21:10); and now being... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 11:1

Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabeshgilead ,.... A month after, as in the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions, that is, a month after Saul was chosen king; so Josephus F16 Antiqu. l. 6. c. 5. sect. 1. : this prince was preparing for war against Israel before, which they hearing of, requested they might have a king to go before them in battle, 1 Samuel 12:12 but now he actually marched from his own country, and besieged Jabeshgilead, a city in the land of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 11:1

Nahash the Ammonite - In the Vulgate this chapter begins thus: Et factum est quasi post mensem , "And it came to pass about a month after." This addition appears also in the principal copies of the Septuagint; though it is wanting in the Complutensian edition, both in the Greek and Latin, and is not acknowledged by any of the Oriental versions. But it is in Josephus, and probably was inserted from him into some copies of the Septuagint, and thence into the Vulgate. It appears to be of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 11:1-3

The relative power of evil and, good. The facts are— 1 . The Ammonites, in pursuit of the enterprise previously arranged for (see 1 Samuel 12:12 ; cf. 1 Samuel 8:5 ), threaten Jabesh-Gilead. 2 . The inhabitants in terror seek to make a covenant with their enemy. 3 . This being insolently refused, a respite of seven days is granted, during which external aid is to be sought. The narrative is evidently designed to trace the circumstances under which the discontent and base... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 11:1

Nahash was king of the children of Ammon, as appears from 1 Samuel 12:12. He seems to have been connected with the family of David, since Abigail, David’s sister, was “the daughter (perhaps granddaughter) of Nahash” 2 Samuel 17:25; 1 Chronicles 2:16-17; and, perhaps, in consequence of this connection, he and his family were very friendly to David 2 Samuel 17:27.Jabesh-Gilead must have been re-populated after its destruction (see marginal reference). The Ammonites and Moabites resented the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 11:1

1 Samuel 11:1. Then That is, about that time; for that this happened before, and was the occasion of their desire of a king, may seem from 1 Samuel 12:12; although it is possible that Nahash’s preparation might cause that desire, and that he did not actually come till their king was chosen. Will serve The occasion of this offer was, that they saw no likelihood of relief from their brethren in Canaan. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 11:1-15

Saul’s victory over the Ammonites (11:1-15)Within a short time Saul had the opportunity to prove to the doubters that he was the man to lead Israel. About a century earlier the Ammonites had exercised control over Israel’s territory of Gilead, east of Jordan, till Jephthah overthrew them (Judges 10:7-8; Judges 11:29-33). Now they attacked again and seemed certain of victory (11:1-3). When he heard the news, Saul called Israel’s fighting men together (using a well recognized local procedure; cf.... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 11:1

the men . Hebrew 'enosh. App-14 . Those who had not obeyed the summons of Judges 21:8 were extinguished, and their daughters given to remnant of Benjamin. This gave them a claim on Saul, who was a Benjamite. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Samuel 11:1

THE THIRD AND FINAL PHASE OF SAUL'S SELECTION AS GOD'S APPOINTED KING OF ISRAELThe first phase of Saul's rise to the kingship was his anointing by Samuel (1 Samuel 10:1), which was a secret to the general public and even to members of Saul's family. The second phase was his choice by the casting of lots at Mizpah, which was generally known throughout Israel, but not known universally in Israel and not even accepted by all the people. On this account, Samuel sent everyone to his own home, and... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 11:1-2

1 Samuel 11:1-2. Then Nahash the Ammonite— Saul had not long to wait for an occasion to shew himself worthy of the kingdom of Israel. Nahash, a king or general of the Ammonites, came against Israel. This was one of the pretences which the Israelites made use of for a change of government, ch. 1 Samuel 12:12.; and it seems that they had sufficient grounds for a fear of this invasion, as Nahash appears to have been a man of a most cruel and insolent disposition, from the terms which he proposed... read more