1 Samuel 11:1-13

1 Samuel 11:1-13

[1] Then Nahash  the Ammonite  came up,  and encamped  against Jabeshgilead:  said  unto Nahash,  Make  a covenant  with us, and we will serve  thee. [2] And Nahash  the Ammonite  answered  them, On this  condition will I make  a covenant with you, that I may thrust out  all your right  eyes,  and lay  it for a reproach  upon all Israel.  [3] And the elders  of Jabesh  said  unto him, Give us seven  days'  respite,  that we may send  messengers  unto all the coasts  of Israel:  and then, if there be no man to save  us, we will come out  to thee. [4] Then came  the messengers  to Gibeah  of Saul,  and told  the tidings  in the ears  of the people:  lifted up  their voices,  and wept.  [5] And, behold, Saul  came  after  the herd  out of the field;  and Saul  said,  What aileth the people  that they weep?  And they told  him the tidings  of the men  of Jabesh.  [6] And the Spirit  of God  came  upon Saul  when he heard  those tidings,  and his anger  was kindled  greatly.  [7] And he took  a yoke  of oxen,  and hewed them in pieces,  and sent  them throughout all the coasts  of Israel  by the hands  of messengers,  saying,  Whosoever cometh not forth  after  Saul  and after  Samuel,  so shall it be done  unto his oxen.  And the fear  of the LORD  fell  on the people,  and they came out  with one  consent.  [8] And when he numbered  them in Bezek,  the children  of Israel  were three  hundred  thousand,  and the men  of Judah  thirty  thousand.  [9] And they said  unto the messengers  that came,  Thus shall ye say  unto the men  of Jabeshgilead,  To morrow,  by that time the sun  be hot,  ye shall have help.  And the messengers  came  and shewed  of Jabesh;  and they were glad.  [10] Therefore the men  of Jabesh  said,  To morrow  we will come out  unto you, and ye shall do  with us all that seemeth  good  unto you. [11] And it was so on the morrow,  that Saul  put  the people  in three  companies;  and they came  into the midst  of the host  in the morning  watch,  and slew  the Ammonites  until the heat  of the day:  and it came to pass, that they which remained  were scattered,  so that two  of them were not left  together.  [12] And the people  said  unto Samuel,  Who is he that said,  Shall Saul  reign  over us? bring  that we may put them to death.  [13] And Saul  said,  There shall not a man  be put to death  this day:  the LORD  hath wrought  salvation  in Israel.