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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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 11:6

The Spirit of God came upon Saul - He felt himself strongly excited to attempt the relief of his brethren. And his anger was kindled greatly - I believe this means no more than that his courage was greatly excited, he felt himself strong for fight, and confident of success. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 11:4-11

The perfecting gift. The facts are— 1 . The message brought to Gibeah throws the inhabitants into grief and consternation. 2 . Saul, on hearing the tidings, is aroused by the Spirit of God to summon the nation to follow him and Samuel. 3 . The people responding to the call, help is assured to the men of Jabesh. 4 . The result is the utter defeat of the Ammonites. The effect of the appeal of the men of Jabesh on the people of Gibeah, on Saul, and subsequently on the conflict... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 11:6

And the Spirit of God came upon Saul. Rather, descended mightily upon Saul (see 1 Samuel 10:6 ). No miraculous influence is here meant; far more full of meaning and piety is the lesson so constantly taught in the Book of Judges, that all mighty and noble acts are from God ( 3:10 ; 6:34 ; 11:29 ; 13:25 ; 14:6 ; 15:14 , etc.). Even the heathen saw in enthusiasm something Divine, for it means the having God within. The energy with which Saul acted was strictly natural, but yet... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 11:6

This time the Spirit of God came upon him, as upon the Judges before him, as a Spirit of supernatural energy and power. 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 11:6

the Spirit . Hebrew. ruach. App-9 . God. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read " Jehovah ". Compare App-4 . came = came mightily. Same word as in 1 Samuel 10:6 , 1 Samuel 10:10 . read more

Thomas Constable

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

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

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 11:6-11

Saul’s deliverance of Jabesh-gilead 11:6-11God’s Spirit came on Saul in the sense that He stirred up his human spirit (cf. 1 Samuel 10:6; 1 Samuel 10:10). Saul’s response to the messengers’ news was appropriate indignation since non-Israelites were attacking God’s covenant people (Genesis 12:3). Saul may have had a personal interest in Jabesh-gilead since some of his ancestors evidently came from there (cf. 1 Samuel 31:11-13). Following the civil war in Israel, during which many Benjamites had... read more

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