Saul's Victory at Jabesh-Gilead
1 Samuel 11:1-11
1 S.11.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נחש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העמוני: NOUN,prop,m,sg,def
- ויחן: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- יבש: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- גלעד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- כל: DET
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- יביש: NOUN,prop,m,sg,cons
- אל: NEG
- נחש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כרת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- ברית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ונעבדך: VERB,qal,imperfect,1,pl
Parallels
- Judges 21:8-10 (structural): Another episode in which Jabesh‑Gilead is besieged; shows the town’s recurring vulnerability and Israel’s violent internecine politics (context for later rescue narratives).
- Judges 11:1-11 (thematic): Ammonite aggression against Israel and Israelite response under a charismatic leader (Jephthah) — parallels the motif of Ammonite hostility and Israelite military confrontation.
- 2 Samuel 10:1-2 (allusion): Mentions Nahash the Ammonite (father of Hanun) who had shown kindness to David — links the name Nahash and Ammonite royal house across the narrative tradition.
- 1 Samuel 11:6-11 (structural): Direct continuation/resolution of v.1: Saul’s spirit is kindled, he musters Israel and defeats Nahash, transforming the siege into the occasion for Saul’s leadership and kingship confirmation.
Alternative generated candidates
- Nahash the Ammonite advanced and encamped against Jabesh-gilead; all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you.”
- Nahash the Ammonite went up and encamped against Jabesh‑gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, "Make a covenant with us and we will serve you."
1 S.11.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- נחש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העמוני: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בזאת: PREP
- אכרת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- בנקור: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- כל: DET
- עין: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- ימין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושמתיה: VERB,qal,impf,1,m,sg+PRON,3,f,sg
- חרפה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- כל: DET
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 16:21 (thematic): Samson is captured and his eyes are put out—an episode of deliberate blinding as a form of humiliation and control, parallels Nahash’s threat to gouge out eyes as punitive humiliation.
- Deuteronomy 28:37 (thematic): Part of the covenant curses: Israel will become a ‘byword and a reproach’ among the nations—echoes the language of making a public shame of Israel in Nahash’s threat.
- Matthew 5:29 (verbal): Uses the phrase ‘right eye’—though in a different (hyperbolic ethical) context, it shares the distinctive verbal image of the ‘right eye’ as a critical bodily part singled out in biblical speech.
- 2 Samuel 10:4–5 (structural): Hanun shames David’s envoys by cutting off garments and shaving them—a narrative parallel in which humiliation/insult to a people or their representatives triggers military/political conflict, similar to Nahash’s intended dishonor of Israel.
Alternative generated candidates
- Nahash said to them, “On this condition I will make a covenant with you: I will gouge out every one of you the right eye, and I will bring disgrace on all Israel.”
- Nahash the Ammonite said to them, "This is the bargain I will make with you: I will gouge out every man's right eye and make it a reproach upon all Israel."
1 S.11.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- זקני: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- יביש: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- הרף: VERB,hif,imp,2,m,sg
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- שבעת: NUM,card,construct
- ימים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ונשלחה: VERB,qal,cohort,1,pl
- מלאכים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גבול: NOUN,m,sg,cs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואם: CONJ
- אין: PART,neg
- מושיע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אתנו: PRON,1,pl
- ויצאנו: VERB,qal,cohort,1,pl
- אליך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Joshua 10:6 (thematic): The men of Gibeon send word to Joshua pleading for rescue from attacking kings—like Jabesh‑Gilead sending messengers through Israel to seek deliverance from a besieger.
- Judges 4:6-10 (thematic): Deborah summons Barak and the tribes to assemble against Jabin’s general; both passages show local communities calling for Israelite-wide military aid against an oppressor.
- Judges 20:1-11 (structural): In response to a national crisis the tribes assemble and mobilize (sending out messengers/raising forces); parallels the communal summons and expectation of collective rescue reflected in Jabesh’s appeal.
- 1 Samuel 11:8 (verbal): Immediate narrative continuation: Saul ‘‘sent messengers through all Israel’’ to muster troops in direct response to Jabesh’s request—shows the same mechanism of nationwide summons and relief.
Alternative generated candidates
- The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days’ respite; then we will send messengers throughout all the territory of Israel. If no one saves us, we will come out to you.”
- The elders of Jabesh said to him, "Let us have seven days' respite, and we will send messengers through all the territory of Israel; if there is no one to save us, we will come out to you."
1 S.11.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- המלאכים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- גבעת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וידברו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- הדברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- באזני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,cstr
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וישאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- קולם: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- ויבכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- 1Sam.4.12-13 (thematic): A messenger brings disastrous news to the community (the battle and the capture of the ark), and the arrival of the report triggers mourning and crisis—parallel motif of a dispatch bearing shocking news that produces public grief.
- 2Sam.1.11-12 (thematic): After a report of Saul and Jonathan’s deaths, David and the people mourn loudly—communal weeping in direct response to received tidings, echoing the public lament in 1 Sam 11:4.
- 2Sam.18.19-33 (structural): A runner brings word about Absalom’s fate; the report provokes intense emotional response (David’s lament). The sequence messenger→report→emotional outpouring mirrors 1 Sam 11:4.
- Neh.8.9-10 (thematic): When the people hear the reading of the law they are moved to weep; like 1 Sam 11:4 this verse links spoken words/heard news with a communal, vocal expression of grief or repentance.
Alternative generated candidates
- The messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and reported the matter to the people; and all the people lifted up their voices and wept.
- The messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and related the matter in the hearing of the people; and all the people lifted up their voices and wept.
1 S.11.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והנה: ADV
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אחרי: PREP
- הבקר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מן: PREP
- השדה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מה: PRON,int
- לעם: PREP
- כי: CONJ
- יבכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ויספרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- יביש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 11:1-4 (structural): The immediate narrative background: Nahash besieges Jabesh and humiliates them, explaining why the people were weeping and why they reported the matter to Saul.
- 1 Samuel 10:6 (verbal): Earlier promise that the Spirit of the LORD will come upon Saul and enable him to act; 11:6 records the Spirit empowering Saul in the crisis that follows the report in v.5.
- 1 Samuel 30:1-6 (thematic): David returns from a mission to find the people of Ziklag weeping over devastation; like Saul in 11:5, a leader comes upon communal mourning and must respond to an urgent calamity.
- 2 Samuel 18:19-33 (thematic): Reports of a national crisis and the arrival of messengers provoke intense weeping and immediate leadership response (David’s reaction to news about Absalom), paralleling the pattern of news, mourning, and a leader called to act in 1 Sam 11:5.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now Saul had just returned from the field after the herd, and he said, “What ails the people that they weep?” They told him the words of the men of Jabesh.
- Behold, Saul came from the field after the oxen; and Saul said, "What ails the people that they weep?" They told him the words of the men of Jabesh.
1 S.11.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותצלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- רוח: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- על: PREP
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כשמעו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הדברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- ויחר: VERB,qal,imf,3,m,sg
- אפו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,suff3ms
- מאד: ADV
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 10:10 (verbal): Same phrase: 'the Spirit of God came upon Saul'—here it triggers ecstatic prophesying and public demonstration of Saul's God-given role.
- Judges 6:34 (verbal): ‘The Spirit of the LORD clothed Gideon’ (or ‘came upon Gideon’)—parallel motif of the Spirit empowering a leader for decisive military action.
- Judges 14:6 (verbal): ‘The Spirit of the LORD came upon him’ (Samson) enabling extraordinary strength—another instance where the Spirit enables violent deliverance.
- 1 Samuel 16:14 (thematic): Contrast passage: the Spirit of the LORD departs from Saul and an evil spirit troubles him—highlights the reversibility of divine Spirit‑presence and its behavioral effects.
Alternative generated candidates
- When he heard these words the Spirit of God came upon Saul, and his anger was greatly kindled.
- When he heard these words the Spirit of God came upon Saul, and his anger was greatly kindled.
1 S.11.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- צמד: NOUN,m,sg,const
- בקר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וינתחהו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בכל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גבול: NOUN,m,sg,cs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- המלאכים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- אשר: PRON,rel
- איננו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl,neg
- יצא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אחרי: PREP
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואחר: CONJ
- שמואל: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כה: ADV
- יעשה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- לבקרו: INF
- ויפל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- פחד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויצאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כאיש: PREP
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
Parallels
- Genesis 15:9-10 (structural): Abram cuts animals in pieces as part of a solemn ritual/covenant; both passages use the cutting and dividing of animals as a formal, public act with legal/religious force.
- Genesis 37:31-33 (thematic): Joseph’s brothers send a bloodied garment to Jacob to communicate a violent deed and elicit a response; like Saul’s sending of butchered oxen, it uses a grisly token disseminated by messengers to provoke fear and movement.
- 1 Samuel 12:18-19 (thematic): After Samuel’s public appeal the people are filled with fear of the LORD and submit; closely parallels the motif in 1 Sam 11:7 where divine fear falls on the people and they come out as one.
- 2 Kings 10:18-28 (thematic): Jehu’s dramatic invitation and subsequent slaughter of Baal worshipers uses a startling public act to consolidate power and purge opposition; both passages employ shocking violence/public spectacle to compel collective action.
Alternative generated candidates
- He took a pair of oxen, cut them in pieces, and sent them throughout the territory of Israel by the hands of the messengers, saying, “Whoever does not go out after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen.” The dread of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out as one man.
- He took a pair of oxen and cut them to pieces, and sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by the hands of the messengers, saying, "Whoever does not go out after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen." The fear of the LORD fell upon the people, and they came out as one man.
1 S.11.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויפקדם: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בבזק: PREP
- ויהיו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שלש: NUM,card,f,sg
- מאות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
- ואיש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- שלשים: NUM,m,pl,abs
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 13:2 (verbal): Reports Saul's military manpower early in his reign (3,000 chosen men—2,000 with Saul and 1,000 with Jonathan), paralleling 1 Sam 11:8's enumeration of Israelite and Judahite forces.
- Judges 20:15-17 (thematic): Describes the mass mobilization of Israelite tribes (hundreds of thousands) in a civil conflict against Benjamin, paralleling the large-scale tribal mustering and numbered forces in 1 Sam 11:8.
- Numbers 1:2, 1:46 (structural): Presents the census/counting of Israelite men for military service (the practice of numbering fighting men), paralleling the enumerative report of troops in 1 Sam 11:8.
- Judges 7:2 (thematic): Gideon's initial muster (32,000 men) and subsequent reduction to 300 highlights the motif of assembling and organizing Israelite military forces, thematically paralleling the mustering in 1 Sam 11:8.
Alternative generated candidates
- They mustered at Bezek; the men of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
- He mustered them at Bezek; the men of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
1 S.11.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- למלאכים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- הבאים: PART,qal,ptcp,masc,pl,def
- כה: ADV
- תאמרון: VERB,qal,imperfect,2,m,pl
- לאיש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יביש: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- גלעד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מחר: ADV
- תהיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- תשועה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כחם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השמש: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- המלאכים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ויגידו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- לאנשי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,const
- יביש: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- וישמחו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 11:11 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: the messengers' report is followed by Saul's victory and the actual deliverance of Jabesh‑Gilead, showing the promised salvation realized.
- 2 Kings 7:9-10 (thematic): Sudden deliverance announced to a beleaguered city: messengers/men report that the enemy has fled, prompting the city to go out and share in the surprise relief—parallel motif of news bringing communal rejoicing.
- Isaiah 52:7 (verbal): The image of a messenger bringing 'good news' of peace and salvation parallels the role of the messengers in 1 Sam 11:9 who announce imminent deliverance (salvation/yeshuʿah) to the city.
- Luke 2:10-11 (thematic): Angelic messengers proclaim 'good tidings of great joy' and salvation to people—a New Testament echo of the motif where messengers bring news of deliverance that elicits joy.
- Jonah 3:5-10 (thematic): A whole city receives a message (repentance and warning) and responds corporately, leading God to relent and spare them; parallels the communal impact of a delivered message that determines the city's fate.
Alternative generated candidates
- They said to the messengers who had come, “Thus shall you say to the men of Jabesh-gilead: ‘Tomorrow you shall have deliverance; at the rising of the sun you shall be helped.’ ” The messengers went and told the men of Jabesh, and they rejoiced.
- They said to the messengers, "Thus shall you say to the men of Jabesh‑gilead: 'Tomorrow you shall have deliverance; by the time the sun is hot you shall be safe.'" The messengers went and reported to the men of Jabesh, and they were glad.
1 S.11.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- יביש: NOUN,prop,sg,abs
- מחר: ADV
- נצא: VERB,qal,impf,1,pl
- אליכם: PREP+PRON,2,pl
- ועשיתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- ככל: PREP
- הטוב: ADJ,m,sg,def
- בעיניכם: PREP+NOUN,pl,f,cons+PRON,2,pl
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 11:11 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: Saul musters Israel and rescues Jabesh-Gilead after their promise to 'come out' and accept whatever help is given, showing the fulfillment of the city's appeal.
- 1 Samuel 31:11-13 (allusion): Later episode in the same broader narrative in which the men of Jabesh-Gilead recover and honor Saul’s body—underscoring the reciprocal bond between Saul and the city that is established in ch. 11.
- Judges 21:10-12 (thematic): Another passage involving the inhabitants of Jabesh-Gilead responding to an Israelite request (here to provide wives), highlighting recurrent motifs of inter-city petitioning, communal obligation, and Jabesh’s role in national crises.
- Judges 3:15 (thematic): Illustrates the broader theme of oppressed Israelite groups crying out for relief and a deliverer being raised up—paralleling Jabesh’s appeal, the national response, and the motif of timely rescue.
Alternative generated candidates
- The men of Jabesh said, “Tomorrow we will come out to you; do to us all that seems good to you.”
- The men of Jabesh said, "Tomorrow we will come out to you; you shall do to us whatever is good in your eyes."
1 S.11.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ממחרת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וישם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שאול: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שלשה: NUM,m
- ראשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בתוך: PREP
- המחנה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- באשמרת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הבקר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- עמון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- חם: ADJ,m,sg
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- הנשארים: PART,m,pl,def
- ויפצו: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,pl
- ולא: CONJ
- נשארו: VERB,qal,perf,3,mp
- בם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- שנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יחד: ADV
Parallels
- Judges 7:16-22 (structural): Gideon divides his force into three companies and launches a sudden attack that routs the enemy—parallels Saul’s threefold deployment and surprise strike.
- Exodus 14:24 (verbal): Uses the phrase “in the morning watch” to describe a decisive deliverance/rout of an opposing host, echoing the timing and suddenness of Saul’s victory.
- Joshua 11:11-12 (thematic): Joshua surprises and pursues enemy kings, utterly defeating them so that few remain—similar motifs of sudden assault, pursuit, and comprehensive rout.
- 2 Chronicles 20:22-24 (thematic): God-caused confusion leads enemies to rout and destroy one another so that none stand together—parallels the total discomfiture and scattering described in 1 Samuel 11:11.
Alternative generated candidates
- On the next day Saul divided the people into three companies. They entered the camp at the morning watch and struck the Ammonites until the heat of the day; the survivors were scattered so that not two of them were left together.
- On the next day Saul divided the people into three companies. They entered into the midst of the camp at the morning watch and struck the Ammonites until the heat of the day; those who survived were scattered, and not two of them were left together.
Nahash the Ammonite advanced and encamped against Jabesh-gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, "Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you." But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, "By this I will make a covenant with you: I will gouge out every man's right eye, and set it as a reproach upon all Israel."
Then the elders of Jabesh said to him, "Give us seven days' respite; let us send messengers through all the territory of Israel; if there is no one to save us, we will come out to you."
The messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and related the matter in the hearing of the people; and all the people lifted up their voices and wept. Now Saul had come from the field behind the oxen at morning, and Saul said, "What ails the people, that they weep?" They told him the words of the men of Jabesh.
When he heard their words, the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul, and his anger was greatly kindled.
He took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by the hand of the messengers, saying, "Whoever does not come forth after Saul and after Samuel, thus shall it be done to his oxen." Then the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out as one man.
They mustered at Bezek; the men of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand. And they said to the messengers, "Thus shall you say to the men of Jabesh-gilead: 'Tomorrow you shall have deliverance; it will come to you like the rising of the sun.'" The messengers went and told the men of Jabesh, and they rejoiced.
The men of Jabesh said, "Tomorrow we will come out to you; do to us all that seems good in your eyes."
On the next day Saul set the people in three companies. They came into the camp in the morning watch and struck the Ammonites until the heat of the day; and the remainder were scattered, so that not two of them were left together.