1 Samuel 11

The Explanation

A cruel king named Nahash and his army marched up to a town called Jabesh Gilead. He camped right outside the walls. The people of Jabesh were afraid, so they said, "Make a deal with us. We will serve you." But Nahash grinned and said something horrible. "I will only agree if I can gouge out the right eye of every one of you. Then all Israel will be ashamed." What a wicked demand.

The elders of Jabesh begged for seven days to send messengers across the land. Maybe someone, somewhere, could save them. Nahash agreed, sure that no one would come in time.

The messengers ran and ran until they reached a town called Gibeah, where a man named Saul lived. When the people heard the terrible news, they lifted up their voices and wept. Right then Saul came walking behind his oxen, home from the field. "What ails the people that they weep?" he asked. They told him everything.

Something amazing happened. God's Spirit came mightily on Saul, and his anger burned hot, not because he was selfish, but because his people were in danger. He grabbed a yoke of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent them throughout the land with a fierce message. "Whoever doesn't come out after Saul and Samuel, this will happen to his oxen too." A shiver of fear from the Lord fell on the people, and they came out as one man, over three hundred thousand strong.

What Does This Mean?

Saul told the messengers, "Tell Jabesh, tomorrow you will be rescued." The men of Jabesh were glad. They even told Nahash, "Tomorrow we will come out to you," letting him think he had won.

But early the next morning, while it was still dark, Saul divided his army into three groups and attacked the camp. They struck the Ammonites until the sun was hot, and scattered them so that not two were left standing together. The rescue was real. Would you have believed help was coming, while you waited through that long, frightening night?

The Common Thread

After the battle, the people wanted to kill anyone who had doubted Saul. But Saul said, "No man shall be put to death today, for today Yahweh has rescued Israel." Saul knew the victory was not really his own doing. It belonged to God. This is the thread running through the whole Bible: God sends someone to rescue his people when they cannot save themselves. Saul was one small rescuer for one small moment. But later God would send Jesus, a far greater rescuer, to save people forever, not from an enemy army, but from sin and death itself.

Then Samuel said, "Come, let's go to Gilgal and renew the kingdom." All the people went there and made Saul king before Yahweh. They offered sacrifices of peace and rejoiced greatly, together.

For You

When you feel scared, like the people of Jabesh waiting behind their walls, remember that God sees and God sends help. You can pray, even when you don't know how the rescue will come. And when God helps you, like Saul, remember not to brag. Say thank you to God instead, out loud, to someone near you.

Talk About It

Have you ever waited for help to come, like the people of Jabesh? How did that feel?

Saul gave God the credit for the victory instead of himself. Why do you think that mattered so much?

Praying Together

Dear God, thank you that you see us when we are afraid and surrounded. Thank you for sending rescue, then through Saul, and forever through Jesus. Help us trust you while we wait, and help us thank you when you help us. Amen.