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11:1–11 This chapter records the one glorious moment in Saul’s career. After being threatened by an Ammonite tyrant, Saul musters Israel’s troops and skillfully defeats the enemy. However, after this remarkable beginning to his kingship, Saul goes on to ignominy and disgrace.

In the traditional version of the Hebrew Bible called the Masoretic Text—which many Bible translations follow—the narrative jumps from 10:27 to v. 1, which results in an awkward transition. For this reason, some translations follow the Dead Sea Scrolls’ version of 1 Samuel here. Between 10:27 and 11:1, the Dead Sea Scrolls’ version adds that Nahash, the Ammonite king, had been oppressing the Gadites and Reubenites and had previously gouged out all their right eyes (making them basically incapable of fighting). The addition also notes that 7,000 men had managed to escape the Ammonites and were in Jabesh-Gilead—the place of the conflict in v. 1. The Dead Sea Scrolls’ addition is likely original to 1 Samuel, because both the addition and v. 1 begin the same—a scribe’s eye could easily have unintentionally skipped lines. The addition also explains v. 2, which seems like an odd response otherwise.

11:1 Nahash The Hebrew term used here, nachash (often transliterated in English as Nahash), means “snake” or “serpent.”

Ammonite Ammon is east of the Jordan River, northeast of the Dead Sea.

A fragment of this section of 1 Samuel, found among the Dead Sea Scrolls, provides the background to ch. 11. This previously lost paragraph has been restored in several Bible translations.

Nahash AYBD

Dead Sea Scrolls AYBD

Jabesh Gilead Located in the area of the half-tribe of Manasseh, just north of Gadite territory.

When Moses apportioned the land to Israel, the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh settled east of the Jordan River. The Reubenites settled in the region of Moab to the south, east of the Dead Sea; the half-tribe of Manasseh settled in Ammon to the north (southeast of the Sea of Galilee); and the Gadites settled in the region between Reuben and Manasseh (Num 34:13–15). Nahash felt entitled to these territories, which formerly belonged to his ancestors (compare Judg 11:13). The Gadites and Reubenites had fled to Jabesh-gilead after Nahash’s most recent attack, and he was pursuing them. Because the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead harbored the fleeing Israelites, they were Nahash’s enemies as well.

Jabesh-Gilead

Jabesh-Gilead AYBD

Make a treaty with us The Hebrew phrase used here refers to cutting a covenant. In antiquity, covenant making often was accompanied by a formal ceremony involving a sacrifice. Participants would cut animals into pieces and then pass between them. This signified what would befall the person who violated the terms of the agreement—they would be cut into pieces (see Gen 15:7–21).

Covenant AYBD

Treaties in the Ancient Near East AYBD

11:2 gouging out the right eye of each of you Nahash’s tactic disgraced his opponents and would make any retaliation by them virtually impossible. Although Nahash’s enemies could not properly wield a weapon in battle, they could still do slow, agricultural work, allowing for Nahash to still retrieve tribute from them.

11:3 if there is no deliverer for us Nahash will allow them to gain more support because, if he wins, he will gain greater return in battle. The more people who show up to fight, the greater the king’s spoils will be.

He may have presumed that he could defeat any Israelite coalition; alternatively, he may have doubted that the elders of Jabesh would find much support based on historical precedence (see Judg 11:4–11).

11:6 the Spirit of God As was the case with Samson, the Spirit here empowers Saul in his battle against the enemies of God’s people (Judg 14:6, 9; 15:14; compare 1 Sam 10:10; 19:23).

11:7 cut them into pieces Compare Judg 19:29, where the cut-up pieces of a concubine murdered in Gibeah are sent through Israel as a message.

11:9 deliverance for you will come Only here does Saul display the type of faith and fortitude that characterizes his successor, David.

11:10 The men of Jabesh said The men of Jabesh suggest to Nahash that they will surrender, prompting the Ammonites to let down their guard.

11:11 three divisions Indicates the Israelites will conduct a three-sided attack.

no two among them remained together Signifies total defeat.

Battles of Saul and David Table

11:12–15 After proving himself able in battle, Saul is heralded by all as Israel’s new king (see 1 Sam 8:20). To show their goodwill and support, the leaders decide to renew their commitment to Saul. They wish to kill everyone who previously opposed his kingship, but he does not allow it.

11:12 Samuel The one who installed Saul as king (see 10:17, 25).

Will Saul reign over us See 10:25–27.

11:13 No one will be put to death Saul diplomatically defuses the situation. He will not repeat this technique in subsequent episodes.

11:14 the kingship Refers to their commitment to serve King Saul.

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