1 Samuel 11:1-2

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

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 11:2

I may thrust out all your right eves - This cruel condition would serve at once as a badge of their slavery, and a means of incapacitating them from being effective warriors. Theodoret observes, "He who opposes his shield to the enemy with his left hand, thereby hides his left eye, and looks at his enemy with his right eye; he therefore who plucks out that right eye makes men useless in war." Josephus gives the same reason. 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 11:2

1 Samuel 11:2. And lay it for a reproach upon all Israel That is, disgrace the whole Hebrew nation, by serving some of their people in this opprobrious manner; for it must necessarily have reflected great dishonour upon the whole state, that they should suffer any of their people to be served so. He probably meant also to disable them for war, in which the right eye was of most use, their shields, which they carried in their left hands, in a great measure covering their left eyes. He... 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

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