Tyndale Open Study Notes1 Samuel 11

Saul showed he could lead by handling opposition and saving the town of Jabesh-gilead.

Saul became powerful through three main events:

1. Samuel secretly anointed him (1 Samuel 9:1–10:16).

2. He was chosen by casting lots (1 Samuel 10:17–27).

3. He defeated the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11:1–15).

See also study note on 1 Samuel 13:1–16:13.

Saul became king after winning a battle, which was why the people wanted a king (1 Samuel 8:20).

• Ammon (see Genesis 19:38), located east of the Jordan River, was a threat to Israel like the Philistines in the southwest (see also Judges 10:6–11:33).

• Make a treaty with us: Compare Joshua 9; 2 Samuel 10:19.

put out everyone’s right eye: In the ancient Near East, it was common to mutilate captured soldiers. These soldiers, with one eye, lost depth perception, making it hard for them to fight in a revolt.

Nahash agreed to a seven-day delay, showing his arrogant confidence in winning and his desire to humiliate Israel as much as possible.

Not participating would indicate rejection of the leadership of both Saul as king and Samuel as prophet.

• Bezek was around 22.5 kilometers (14 miles) west of Jabesh-gilead.

• The narrator's use of the terms Israel and Judah hints at the later division of the kingdom (1 Kings 12).

No one shall be put to death: This was a time to celebrate, not seek revenge.

renew the kingship: “Renew” indicates something was damaged or worn out and is now being restored (see Psalm 51:10). The troublemakers (1 Samuel 10:27; 11:12) may have shaken the people's confidence, but Saul's victory over the Ammonites fixed that.

• The formal ceremony before the Lord recognized Saul as king, while affirming that the Lord was Israel's true King.

• People often made peace offerings during important events that started significant institutions (see Exodus 24:5; Leviticus 9:4, 18, 22; 1 Kings 8:63–64).