1 Samuel 11:5-11

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 11:5

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 11:8

And when he numbered them at Bezek ,.... Which was the place appointed to meet at, the same with that in Judges 1:4 ; see Gill on Judges 1:4 though some take the word to be an appellative, and not, the proper name of a place, and render it, "with a stone"; with which he numbered, taking a stone from each, and laying them on a heap, and then telling them F21 Vid. T. Bab. Yoma, fol. 22. 2. & Gloss. in ib. ; so Bizakion signifies little stones F23 Suidas in voce βιζακιων ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 11:9

And they said unto the messengers that came ,.... From Jabeshgilead, that is, Saul and Samuel said to them, as follows: thus shall ye say unto the men of Jabeshgilead : when they returned unto them, as they were now upon the departure: tomorrow, by that time the sun be hot ; when it smites with the greatest heat, as at noon: this morrow seems not to be the next from their return home, or going from Saul, but the morrow after they were got home, and should deliver the message to those... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 11:10

Therefore the men of Jabesh said ,.... To Nahash the Ammonite: tomorrow we will come out unto you ; meaning if they had no help, which they were well assured they should have; but this condition they expressed not, which they were not obliged to, but left him to conclude they had no hope of any, the messengers being returned, and the next being the last of the seven days' respite; and by this artifice the Ammonites were secure, and not at all upon their guard against an approaching... read more

John Gill

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

And it was so on the morrow ,.... After the messengers were returned, and delivered their message, and the men of Jabeshgilead had given the Ammonites reason to expect that they would come out to them according to their agreement: that Saul put the people into three companies ; or "heads" F1 ראשים "capita", Pagninus, Montanus, &c.; , under so many commanders, assigning to each their number, if equally, 110,000 in each, as Gideon divided his three hundred into three companies,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 11:5

Saul came after the herd - He had been bred up to an agricultural life, and after his consecration he returned to it, waiting for a call of Divine providence, which he considered he had now received in the message from Jabesh-gilead. It has often been remarked, that mighty kings and accomplished generals have been chosen from among those who were engaged in agricultural concerns. In these observations one fact is lost sight of, viz., that in ancient times agriculture was the only... 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

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