I Samuel 11
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Nahash the Ammonite - In the Vulgate this chapter begins thus: Et factum est quasi post mensem, "And it came to pass about a month after." This addition appears also in the principal copies of the Septuagint; though it is wanting in the Complutensian edition, both in the Greek and Latin, and is not acknowledged by any of the Oriental versions. But it is in Josephus, and probably was inserted from him into some copies of the Septuagint, and thence into the Vulgate. It appears to be of very little authority. We know little about Nahash; there was a king of this name among the Ammonites in the time of David, Sa2 10:2, but probably not the same person. Nahash might have been a common name of the Ammonitish kings. Make a covenant with us - They found they were in no condition to risk a war; and they wish to have peace, and desire to know his conditions.
Open source ↗NAHASH OFFERS THEM OF JABESH-GILEAD A REPROACHFUL CONDITION. (Sa1 11:1-4) Then Nahash the Ammonite came up--Nahash ("serpent"); (see Jdg 8:3). The Ammonites had long claimed the right of original possession in Gilead. Though repressed by Jephthah (Jdg 11:33), they now, after ninety years, renew their pretensions; and it was the report of their threatened invasion that hastened the appointment of a king (Sa1 12:12). Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee--They saw no prospect of aid from the western Israelites, who were not only remote, but scarcely able to repel the incursions of the Philistines from themselves.
Open source ↗Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabeshgilead,.... A month after, as in the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions, that is, a month after Saul was chosen king; so Josephus (p): this prince was preparing for war against Israel before, which they hearing of, requested they might have a king to go before them in battle, Sa1 12:12 but now he actually marched from his own country, and besieged Jabeshgilead, a city in the land of Gilead, from whence it had its name, and lay in the half tribe of Manasseh, on the other side Jordan, see Jdg 21:8. It lay near to the Ammonites, and was part of the country they laid claim to in the times of Jephthah, which they now renewed, and attempted to gain it by force. This Nahash was king of the Ammonites, as he is called in the Targum, and by Josephus (q), and so in the Arabic version, see Sa1 12:12. and all the men of Jabeshgilead said unto Nahash, make a covenant with us; they desired to be his allies and confederates, live in peace and friendship with him, and enjoy their religion and liberties on certain conditions they were willing to come into; and this was the sense of them all, or at least the greatest part, which showed a mean and abject spirit in them, to make no defence of themselves, but as soon as besieged to move for a capitulation. This doubtless arose from a sense of their weakness, not being able to hold it out long, and from an apprehension that their brethren the Israelites, on the other side Jordan, could give them no assistance, being in an unsettled condition, having chosen a king, and he scarcely on the throne, and the Philistines having great power over them: and we will serve thee; not as slaves, but as tributaries; they were willing to pay a yearly tax to him. (p) Antiqu. l. 6. c. 5. sect. 1.…
Open source ↗Saul's Victory over the Ammonites. - Even after the election by lot at Mizpeh, Saul did not seize upon the reins of government at once, but returned to his father's house in Gibeah, and to his former agricultural occupation; not, however, merely from personal humility and want of ambition, but rather from a correct estimate of the circumstances. The monarchy was something so new in Israel, that the king could not expect a general and voluntary recognition of his regal dignity and authority, especially after the conduct of the worthless people mentioned in Sa1 10:27, until he had answered their expectations from a king (Sa1 8:6, Sa1 8:20), and proved himself a deliverer of Israel from its foes by a victorious campaign. But as Jehovah had chosen him ruler over his people without any seeking on his part, he would wait for higher instructions to act, before he entered upon the government. The opportunity was soon given him. Sa1 11:1-5 Nahash, the king of the Ammonites (cf. Sa1 12:12; Sa2 10:2), attacked the tribes on the east of the Jordan, no doubt with the intention of enforcing the claim to part of Gilead asserted by his ancestor in the time of Jephthah (Jdg 11:13), and besieged Jabesh in Gilead, (Note: The time of this campaign is not mentioned in the Hebrew text. But it is very evident from Sa1 12:12, where the Israelites are said to have desired a king, when they saw that Nahash had come against them, that Nahash had invaded Gilead before the election of Saul as king. The Septuagint, however, renders the words כמחרישׁ ויהי (Sa1 10:27) by καὶ ἐγενήθη ὡς μετὰ μῆνα, and therefore the translators must have read כּמחדשׁ, which Ewald and Thenius would adopt as an emendation of the Hebrew text. But all the other ancient versions give the Masoretic text, viz., not only…
Open source ↗The Ammonites were bad neighbours to those tribes of Israel that lay next them, though descendants from just Lot, and, for that reason, dealt civilly with by Israel. See Deu 2:19. Jephthah, in his time, had humbled them, but now the sin of Israel had put them into a capacity to make head again, and avenge that quarrel. The city of Jabesh-Gilead had been, some ages ago, destroyed by Israel's sword of justice, for not appearing against the wickedness of Gibeah (Jdg 21:10); and now being replenished again, probably by the posterity of those that then escaped the sword, it is in danger of being destroyed by the Ammonites, as if some bad fate attended the place. Nahash, king of Ammon (Ch1 19:1) laid siege to it. Now here, I. The besieged beat a parley (Sa1 11:1): "Make a covenant with us, and we will surrender upon terms, and serve thee." They had lost the virtue of Israelites, else they would not have thus lost the valour of Israelites, nor tamely yielded to serve an Ammonite, without one bold struggle for themselves. Had they not broken their covenant with God, and forsaken his service, they needed not thus to have courted a covenant with a Gentile nation, and offered themselves to serve them. II. The besiegers offer them base and barbarous conditions; they will spare their lives, and take them to be their servants, upon condition that they shall put out their right eyes, Sa1 11:2. The Gileadites were content to part with their liberty and estates for the ransom of their blood; and, had the Ammonites taken them at their word, the matter would have been so settled immediately, and the Gileadites would not have sent out for relief. But their abject concessions make the Ammonites more insolent in their demands, and they cannot be content to have them for their servants, but,…
Open source ↗11:1-15 Saul’s kingship was confirmed through a military victory, the very reason the people wanted a king (8:20). 11:1 Ammon (see Gen 19:38), located on the east side of the Jordan, represented a threat to Israel similar to the Philistines to the southwest (see also Judg 10:6–11:33). • Make a treaty with us: Cp. Josh 9; 2 Sam 10:19.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
נָחָשׁ (Nâchâsh, H5176) — Nachash, the name of two persons apparently non-Israelite עַמּוֹנִי (ʻAmmôwnîy, H5984) — an Ammonite or (the adjective) Ammonitish עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… חָנָה (chânâh, H2583) — properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening);… יָבֵשׁ (Yâbêsh, H3003) — Jobesh, the name of an Israelite and of a place in Palestine גִּלְעָד (Gilʻâd, H1568) — Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth, H1285) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh) עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.
Open source ↗נָחָשׁ (Nâchâsh, H5176) — Nachash, the name of two persons apparently non-Israelite עַמּוֹנִי (ʻAmmôwnîy, H5984) — an Ammonite or (the adjective) Ammonitish אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) זֹאת (zôʼth, H2063) — this (often used adverb) כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… נָקַר (nâqar, H5365) — to bore (penetrate, quarry) יָמִין (yâmîyn, H3225) — the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more… עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… חֶרְפָּה (cherpâh, H2781) — contumely, disgrace, the pudenda יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗זָקֵן (zâqên, H2205) — old יָבֵשׁ (Yâbêsh, H3003) — Jobesh, the name of an Israelite and of a place in Palestine אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ, H7651) — seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week;… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… רָפָה (râphâh, H7503) — to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative) שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) גְּבוּל (gᵉbûwl, H1366) — properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extension the… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יָשַׁע (yâshaʻ, H3467) — properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to… יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and…
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) גִּבְעָה (Gibʻâh, H1390) — Gibah; the name of three places in Palestine שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound בָּכָה (bâkâh, H1058) — to weep; generally to bemoan
Open source ↗שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… בָּקָר (bâqâr, H1241) — beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing);… שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… בָּכָה (bâkâh, H1058) — to weep; generally to bemoan סָפַר (çâphar, H5608) — properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe,… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) יָבֵשׁ (Yâbêsh, H3003) — Jobesh, the name of an Israelite and of a place in Palestine
Open source ↗רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… צָלַח (tsâlach, H6743) — to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive) שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the… חָרָה (chârâh, H2734) — to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,…
Open source ↗לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) צֶמֶד (tsemed, H6776) — hence, an acre (i.e. day's task for a yoke of cattle to plough) בָּקָר (bâqâr, H1241) — beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing);… נָתַח (nâthach, H5408) — to dismember שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) גְּבוּל (gᵉbûwl, H1366) — properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extension the… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites שְׁמוּאֵל (Shᵉmûwʼêl, H8050) — Shemuel, the name of three Israelites
Open source ↗פָּקַד (pâqad, H6485) — to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care… בֶּזֶק (Bezeq, H966) — Bezek, a place in Palestine בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… שְׁלוֹשִׁים (shᵉlôwshîym, H7970) — thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מֲלְאָךְ (mălʼâk, H4397) — a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… יָבֵשׁ (Yâbêsh, H3003) — Jobesh, the name of an Israelite and of a place in Palestine גִּלְעָד (Gilʻâd, H1568) — Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites מָחָר (mâchâr, H4279) — properly, deferred, i.e. the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely,… שֶׁמֶשׁ (shemesh, H8121) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched… חֹם (chôm, H2527) — heat תְּשׁוּעָה (tᵉshûwʻâh, H8668) — rescue (literal or figurative, persons, national or spiritual) נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) שָׂמַח (sâmach, H8055) — probably to brighten up, i.e. (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
Open source ↗אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) יָבֵשׁ (Yâbêsh, H3003) — Jobesh, the name of an Israelite and of a place in Palestine אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מָחָר (mâchâr, H4279) — properly, deferred, i.e. the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely,… יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the…
Open source ↗מׇחֳרָת (mochŏrâth, H4283) — the morrow or (adverbially) tomorrow שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre מַחֲנֶה (machăneh, H4264) — an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or… בֹּקֶר (bôqer, H1242) — properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning אַשְׁמֻרָה (ʼashmurâh, H821) — a night watch נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) עַמּוֹן (ʻAmmôwn, H5983) — Ammon, a son of Lot; also his posterity and their country חֹם (chôm, H2527) — heat
Open source ↗עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שְׁמוּאֵל (Shᵉmûwʼêl, H8050) — Shemuel, the name of three Israelites שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Open source ↗שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application תְּשׁוּעָה (tᵉshûwʻâh, H8668) — rescue (literal or figurative, persons, national or spiritual) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שְׁמוּאֵל (Shᵉmûwʼêl, H8050) — Shemuel, the name of three Israelites עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) גִּלְגָּל (Gilgâl, H1537) — Gilgal, the name of three places in Palestine חָדַשׁ (châdash, H2318) — to be new; causatively, to rebuild מְלוּכָה (mᵉlûwkâh, H4410) — something ruled, i.e. a realm
Open source ↗Cross-references
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But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, ‘No, we must have a king to rule over us’—even though the LORD your God was your king.
Ben-hadad said to him, “I will restore the cities my father took from your father; you may set up your own marketplaces in Damascus, as my father did in Samaria.” “By this treaty I release you,” Ahab replied. So he made a treaty with him and sent him away.
He took a member of the royal family and made a covenant with him, putting him under oath. Then he carried away the leading men of the land,
“We can plainly see that the LORD has been with you,” they replied. “We recommend that there should now be an oath between us and you. Let us make a covenant with you
So they asked, “Which one of the tribes of Israel failed to come up before the LORD at Mizpah?” And, in fact, no one from Jabesh-gilead had come to the camp for the assembly.
You shall make no covenant with them or with their gods.
Will he make a covenant with you to take him as a slave for life?
Do not listen to Hezekiah, for this is what the king of Assyria says: Make peace with me and come out to me. Then every one of you will eat from his own vine and his own fig tree, and drink water from his own cistern,
So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He sold them into the hands of the Philistines and Ammonites,
No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD, even to the tenth generation.