Keraia
1 Samuel 11

1 Samuel 11:3

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

Translations

Modern
“Hold off for seven days,” replied the elders of Jabesh, “and let us send messengers throughout Israel. If there is no one to save us, we will surrender to you.”
Traditional
And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days’ respite, that we may send messengers unto all the coasts of Israel: and then, if there be no man to save us, we will come out to thee.
Literal
And the elders of Jabesh said to him, “Hold off for seven days, that we may send messengers to all the territory of Israel. And if no one is saving us, we will come out to you.”
Latin
Et dixerunt ad eum seniores Jabes: Concede nobis septem dies, ut mittamus nuntios ad universos terminos Israël, et si non fuerit qui defendat nos, egrediemur ad te.

Original

Hebrew
English
“Hold off for seven days,” replied the elders of Jabesh, “and let us send messengers throughout Israel. If there is no one to save us, we will surrender to you.”

Notes

1 Samuel 11:3

Nahash agreed to a seven-day delay, showing his arrogant confidence in winning and his desire to humiliate Israel as much as possible.

1 Samuel 11:1–15

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

1 Samuel 10:26–11:13

Saul showed he could lead by handling opposition and saving the town of Jabesh-gilead.

1 Samuel 9:1–11:15

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

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes

Places

Jabesh: A town in Gilead, loyal to Saul

Glossary

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

Topics

Government: Municipal: Devolving Upon a Local Senate and Executive officers Jabesh-Gilead: Beseiged by the Ammonites Nahash: An Ammonite King: Defeated by Saul at Jabesh-Gilead Seven: Days: The Elders of Jabesh-Gilead Ask for a Truce of Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Demanded Terms of Peace The Ammonites: Proposed a Disgraceful Treaty to Jabesh-Gilead