1 Samuel 11:1-15

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 11:5-11

What is here related turns very much to the honour of Saul, and shows the happy fruits of that other spirit with which he was endued. Observe here, I. His humility. Though he was anointed king, and accepted by his people, yet he did not think it below him to know the state of his own flocks, but went himself to see them, and came in the evening, with his servants, after the herd out of the field, 1 Sam. 11:5. This was an evidence that he was not puffed up with his advancement, as those are... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 11:12-15

We have here the improvement of the glorious victory which Saul had obtained, not the improvement of it abroad, though we take it for granted that the men of Jabesh-Gilead, having so narrowly saved their right eyes, would with them now discern the opportunity they had of avenging themselves upon these cruel enemies and disabling them from ever straitening them in like manner again; now shall they be avenged on the Ammonites for their right eyes condemned, as Samson on the Philistines for his... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 11:2

And Nahash the Ammonite answered them ,.... In a very haughty and scornful manner: on this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes ; some Jewish writers go into a mystical and allegorical sense of these words, as that Nahash ordered the book of the law to be brought, which was their right eye, that he might erase out of it these words: an Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter into the congregation of the Lord ; others understand it of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 11:3

And the elders of Jabesh said ,.... The magistrates and principal men of the city: give us seven days' respite, that we may send messengers to all the coasts of Israel ; that is, cease from besieging them, from throwing in darts into the city, or any other missive weapons, and from attempting to break open the gates, or break down the walls of it, and storm it; such a space of time they desire, which was as little as could be granted, to go and return in, and without this it would not be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 11:4

Then came the messengers to Gibeah of Saul ,.... Where he was born, and brought up, and now dwelt; and he being elected king, it brought an honour to the place; and from hence had this name, to distinguish it from the others, and this is the first time it was so called. Now the messengers from Jabesh came hither directly, because they knew that Saul, the chosen king, dwelt here, and the Benjaminites, of all the tribes, had great reason to show regard to them, since it was from thence they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 11:5

And, behold, Saul came after the herd out the field ,.... Where he had been to look after the and take care of them, and see what condition they were in, and followed them on their return home; for though he was elected king, he was not inaugurated, and did not take upon him any state; and being despised by some, and no provision as yet made for his support and maintenance as a king, and no business as such for him to do, Samuel still acting in his office, he returned to his father's house,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 11:6

And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings ,.... And filled him with pity and compassion to the inhabitants of Jabesh, and with wisdom and prudence, and set his thoughts at work to contrive ways and means for their relief, and with fortitude, courage, and resolution, to attempt their deliverance; so the Targum,"the spirit of fortitude from the Lord dwelt on Saul:'and his anger was kindled greatly; against Nahash the Ammonite for insulting Israel, and threatening to use... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 11:7

And he took a yoke of oxen ,.... Of his own or his father's, which he had just followed out of the field, and for which chiefly that circumstance is mentioned: and hewed them in pieces ; as the Levite did his concubine, Judges 19:29 and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers ; some carrying a piece one way, and some another, throughout all the tribes; for to them all the government of Saul extended, and which by this he let them know it did: ... read more

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