1 Samuel
1 Samuel 11 ©
1 Nahash the Ammonite making war against Jabesh-gilead proposeth very reproachful terms to the inhabitants, who petition for a respite of seven days. 4 They send to Saul, who bringeth them succours, and smiteth the Ammonites. 12 The people call for the death of those who had vilified Saul, to which Saul will by no means consent. 14 His kingdom is joyfully renewed to him at Gilgal.
And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, 1Give 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.
And he took a yoke of oxen, and k*hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the *coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, lWhosoever 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 2with one consent.
And they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall ye say unto the men of Jabesh-gilead, To morrow, by that time the sun be hot, ye shall have 3help. And the messengers came and shewed it to the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.
And it was so on the *morrow, that pSaul put the people in qthree companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the r*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 stwo of them were not left together.
And Saul said, uThere shall not a man be put to death this day: for to day vthe LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel.
And all the people went to Gilgal; and xthere they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there ythey sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings zbefore the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.