a covenant . Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read this word in the text, which already implies it. right eyes . As the shield covered the left eye, the right was necessary for seeing. The loss of it incapacitated men from fighting. read more
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
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
1. Then Nahash the Ammonite came up—Nahash ("serpent"); (see :-). The Ammonites had long claimed the right of original possession in Gilead. Though repressed by Jephthah ( :-), they now, after ninety years, renew their pretensions; and it was the report of their threatened invasion that hastened the appointment of a king (1 Samuel 12:12). Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee—They saw no prospect of aid from the western Israelites, who were not only remote, but scarcely able to repel... read more
2. thrust out all your right eyes—literally, "scoop" or "hollow out" the ball. This barbarous mutilation is the usual punishment of usurpers in the East, inflicted on chiefs; sometimes, also, even in modern history, on the whole male population of a town. Nahash meant to keep the Jabeshites useful as tributaries, whence he did not wish to render them wholly blind, but only to deprive them of their right eye, which would disqualify them for war. Besides, his object was, through the people of... read more
The Ammonite siege of Jabesh-gilead 11:1-5The Ammonites were Israel’s enemies to the east. They were descendants of Lot whom Jephthah had defeated earlier (Judges 11:12-33). Nahash evidently sought revenge for Jephthah’s victory over his nation. Jabesh-gilead lay a few miles east of the Jordan Valley and about 25 miles south of the Sea of Chinnereth (Galilee). Chinnereth is the Hebrew word for "lyre." The lake has the shape of a lyre, which accounts for this name. The men of Jabesh-gilead... read more
4. Saul’s effective leadership in battle 11:1-11Israel’s king not only needed to be an admirable individual in his personal conduct, but he also needed to be an effective military commander. The writer pointed out Saul’s abilities in this area in this chapter. The nation consequently united behind him because of his success. This was the third divine indication that God had chosen Saul to lead Israel following his private anointing and his public choice by lot. read more
Saul subdues the AmmonitesThis chapter is entirely in the spirit of the narratives in Judges; from 1 Samuel 11:15, it seems to be independent of 1 Samuel 10 but 1 Samuel 11:12 points back to 1 Samuel 10:27, which is perhaps distinct from 1 Samuel 10:17-24 even the ceremony at Grilgal may have been a’ renewal’ (1 Samuel 11:10), in the renewed popular enthusiasm, of the ceremony at Mizpeh. But see on 1 Samuel 12:12.1. Nahash] It is very doubtful if this is the Nahash of 2 Samuel 10:2. 3. Come... read more
(1) Nahash the Ammonite.—Nahash was king of the children of Ammon (see 1 Samuel 12:12). This royal family was in some way related to David (see 2 Samuel 17:25; 1 Chronicles 2:16-17). At the time of David’s exile owing to the rebellion of Absalom, a son of Nahash the Ammonite is specially mentioned as showing kindness to the fugitive king. Jabesh-gilead was a city situated in Northern Gilead, in the territory assigned to Manasseh. Josephus states that it was the capital of the country of Gilead.... read more
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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