1 Samuel 11:1

Saul Defeats the Ammonites · 1 Samuel 11:1–11
Read 1 Samuel 11

Translations

Modern
Then Nahash the Ammonite came up and laid siege to Jabesh-gilead. All the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.”
Traditional
Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabesh–gilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee.
Literal
And Nahash the Ammonite came up and encamped against Jabesh-gilead. And all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make with us a covenant, and we will serve you.”
Latin
Et factum est quasi post mensem, ascendit Naas Ammonites, et pugnare cœpit adversum Jabes Galaad. Dixeruntque omnes viri Jabes ad Naas: Habeto nos fœderatos, et serviemus tibi.

Original

Hebrew
English
Then Nahash the Ammonite came up and laid siege to Jabesh-gilead. All the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.”

Notes

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

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.

Theme notes and profiles

Moab and Ammon Samuel Saul

Events

People

Nahash: Ammonite king who besieged Jabesh Gilead

Places

Ammon: An ancient nation and its capital city, enemies of Israel Jabesh: A town in Gilead, loyal to Saul

Glossary

Ammon, Ammonites Criminal Law and Punishment Gilead (Place) Jabesh, Jabesh-Gilead (Place) Nahash Samuel (Person) Samuel, Books of First and Second Saul Warfare

Topics

Ammonites: Defeated by the Israelites Ammonites: Kings of Nahash Armies: Encamped: Before Cities Covenants: Conditions of Clearly Specified Israel: Under the Kings Before the Separation Into Two Kingdoms: Ammonites Invade Israel, are Defeated Jabesh-Gilead: Beseiged by the Ammonites Nahash: An Ammonite King: Defeated by Saul at Jabesh-Gilead Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Demanded Terms of Peace Sieges: Jabesh-Gilead The Ammonites: Proposed a Disgraceful Treaty to Jabesh-Gilead