1 Samuel 11:14-12:25

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 11:14

Then said Samuel to the people ,.... Agreeing to what Saul had said, and in order to put them off from demanding the lives of the offenders, and willing to take them while they were in a good disposition: come, and let us go to Gilgal ; which was the nearest place to them, on the other side Jordan, from which they now were, and where the children of Israel first encamped when they passed over Jordan, where the tabernacle and ark first were, and an altar was built, and where meetings used... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 11:14

Renew the kingdom - The unction of Saul, in the first instance, was a very private act; and his being appointed to be king was not known to the people in general. He had now shown himself worthy to command the people; and Samuel takes advantage of this circumstance to gain the general consent in his favor. Josephus says that Saul was anointed a second time at this convocation. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 11:12-15

The concurrence of human and Divine action. The facts are— 1 . On the completion of the victory over the Ammonites, the supporters of Saul desire the punishment by death of the "men of Belial" who had reviled him. 2 . Saul, recognising the merciful help of God, refuses to mar the joy of victory by personal retaliation. 3 . At the invitation of Samuel the people assembled in Gilgal for the recognition of Saul as victorious king, coupled with thanksgiving to God. To an ordinary... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 11:14

Let us go to Gilgal. The famous sanctuary ( 1 Samuel 7:16 ) of that name, situated lower down, in the Jordan valley, near Jericho. It was not far from Jabesh-Gilead, and naturally the victorious host would move from the field of battle to the nearest religious spot to consecrate their king. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 11:14

Let us go to Gilgal - i. e., to Gilgal by Jericho, where was a famous sanctuary, in the tribe of Benjamin. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 11:14

1 Samuel 11:14. Then said Samuel While the people were together by Jabesh- gilead. Come, and let us renew the kingdom That is, confirm our former choice, and more solemnly and unanimously inaugurate Saul for our king. Herein Samuel’s great prudence and fidelity to Saul appeared. He suspended the confirmation of Saul at first, while the generality of the people were disaffected, and now, when he had given such eminent proof of his princely virtues, and when the people’s hearts were eagerly... 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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 11:12-15

Israel’s commitment to Saul 11:12-15Admirably, Saul sought no personal revenge on those who initially had failed to support him (1 Samuel 10:27; cf. Judges 20:13; Luke 19:27). Furthermore he gave God the glory for his victory (cf. Jonah 2:9; Psalms 20:7; Proverbs 21:31). He was not self-serving at this time.What Samuel called for was a ceremony to renew the Mosaic Covenant. [Note: Klaus Baltzer, The Covenant Formulary, pp. 66-68; William J. Dumbrell, Covenant and Creation, p. 135; and Lyle M.... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 11:12-25

5. The confirmation of Saul as king 11:12-12:25This victory helped the Israelites perceive Saul as their king, with the result that they committed themselves to him. Samuel therefore gave the people a solemn charge in view of the change in government. read more

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