1 Samuel 11:1-5

1Now 1Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged 2Jabesh-gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make 3a covenant with us and we will serve you.” 2But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, “I will make it with you on this condition, 4that I will gouge out the right eye of every one of you, and thereby I will inflict 5a disgrace on all Israel.” 3So 6the elders of Jabesh said to him, “Allow us seven days to send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to save us, we will come out to you.” 4Then the messengers came 7to Gibeah of Saul and spoke these words in the hearing of the people, and all the people 8raised their voices and wept.

5Now behold, Saul was coming from the field 9behind the oxen, and Saul said, “What is the matter with the people that they weep?” So they reported to him the words of the men of Jabesh.