1 Samuel 11:1-5

1Now 1Nahash the Ammonite came up and 2besieged 3Jabesh-gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make 4a covenant with us and we will serve you.” 2But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, “I will make it with you on this condition, 5that I will gouge out the right eye of every one of you, thus I will make it 6a reproach on all Israel.” 37The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Let us alone for seven days, that we may send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to deliver us, we will come out to you.” 4Then the messengers came 8to Gibeah of Saul and spoke these words in the hearing of the people, and all the people 9lifted up their voices and wept.

5Now behold, Saul was coming from the field 10behind the oxen, and 11he said, “What is the matter with the people that they weep?” So they related to him the words of the men of Jabesh.