In the previous chapter, we saw Samuel anointing Saul and most of the people agreeing that God made Saul king and leader of Israel. As we begin this chapter, we find that Saul’s kingship was going to be put to the test very quickly as Nahash the Ammonite, 2 Samuel 10:2 / 1 Chronicles 19:1-2, besieged Jabesh Gilead, 1 Samuel 11:1 / 1 Samuel 31:8-13, and the men of Jabesh wanted to make a treaty with him, 1 Samuel 11:1.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘We know little about Nahash, there was a king of this name among the Ammonites in the time of David, 2 Samuel 10:2, but probably not the same person. Nahash might have been a common name of the Ammonitish kings.’
Notice that Nahash the Ammonite gave terms and conditions for a treaty with the men of Jabesh. He wants to gouge out the right eye of every one of them and so bring disgrace on all Israel, 1 Samuel 11:2. This tells us just how evil he and the Ammonites were, Amos 1:13. The elders of Jabesh ask for seven days so they can send messengers throughout Israel and if no one comes to rescue them, they will surrender, 1 Samuel 11:3. When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and reported these terms to the people, they all wept aloud, 1 Samuel 11:4.
Just then Saul was returning from the fields, behind his oxen, and he asked, what was wrong with everyone, why are they weeping? Then they repeated to Saul what the men of Jabesh had said, 1 Samuel 11:5. There was a close relationship between the Benjamites and the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead. There was a time when Israel almost wiped out the Benjamites, and four-hundred men from Jabesh were given to the women of Benjamin so that they could preserve the tribe, Judges 21:8-14.
The Spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul because of the demands of the Ammonites, 1 Samuel 11:6 / Judges 3:10 / Judges 6:34 / Judges 11:29. Make no mistake about it, what the Ammonites were demanding was absolutely cruel and unjust. And so, Saul burned with anger and took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel, proclaiming, this is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel, 1 Samuel 11:6-7.
Barnes, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Though not expressly stated, it is doubtless implied that he sent the portions by the messengers to the twelve tribes, after the analogy, and probably in imitation of Judges 19:29. He made use of the revered name of Samuel to strengthen his own weak authority. Samuel accompanied Saul in the expedition, 1 Samuel 11:12.’
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The sending the pieces of the oxen was an act similar to that of the Levite, Judges 19:29, where see the note. And both customs are similar to the sending about of the bloody cross, to call the clans to battle, practised by the ancient Highlanders of Scotland, 1 Samuel 11:15.’
When Saul made the call to all of Israel, the response was fear in the hearts of the people, 1 Samuel 11:7. This fear resulted in three-hundred and thirty-thousand men who were ready for war, 1 Samuel 11:8. They told the messengers who had come to say to the men of Jabesh Gilead, by the time the sun is hot tomorrow, they will be rescued, 1 Samuel 11:9. When the messengers went and reported this to the men of Jabesh, they were elated and they told the Ammonites, tomorrow we will surrender to you, and you can do to us whatever you like, 1 Samuel 11:9-10 / 1 Samuel 11:3.
The next day Saul separated his men into three divisions and during the last watch of the night they broke into the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together, 1 Samuel 11:11. The Ammorites were completely overwhelmed.
God was working through Saul and it was through him that He saved Israel from the oppression of the Ammorites. As this was Saul’s first test as being king and he was successful, everyone got behind him in total support of his kingship but the people suggested that anyone who didn’t support him was to be put to death, 1 Samuel 11:12 / 1 Samuel 10:27.
But notice that we see Saul showing mercy here, 1 Samuel 11:13, because of his victory over the Ammonites he wants all of Israel to become one, he wants all of Israel to come under his reign as one. Saul and Samuel knew this was God’s victory, 1 Samuel 11:13, and so, Samuel tells everyone to go to Gilgal to renew Saul’s kingship, 1 Samuel 11:14. They also offered fellowship offerings and held great celebrations, 1 Samuel 11:15.
Barnes, in his commentary, says the following, concerning 1 Samuel 11:15.
‘The Septuagint has another reading, ‘and Samuel anointed Saul king there.’ The example of David, who, besides his original anointing by Samuel, 1 Samuel 16:12-13, was twice anointed, first as king of Judah, 2 Samuel 2:4, and again as king over all Israel, 2 Samuel 5:3, makes it probable that Saul was anointed a second time; but this may be included in the word ‘made king’, 1 Samuel 12:3 / 1 Samuel 12:5.’