Keraia
1 Samuel 11

1 Samuel 11:7

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

Translations

Modern
He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent them by messengers throughout the land of Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not march behind Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the LORD fell upon the people, and they came out together as one man.
Traditional
And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.
Literal
And he took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, “Whoever does not go out to battle with Saul and Samuel, so it shall be done to his oxen.” And the dread of YHWH fell on the people, and they came out as one man.
Latin
Et assumens utrumque bovem, concidit in frustra, misitque in omnes terminos Israël per manum nuntiorum, dicens: Quicumque non exierit, et secutus fuerit Saul et Samuel, sic fiet bobus ejus. Invasit ergo timor Domini populum, et egressi sunt quasi vir unus.

Original

Hebrew
English
He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent them by messengers throughout the land of Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not march behind Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the LORD fell upon the people, and they came out together as one man.

Notes

1 Samuel 11:7

Not participating would indicate rejection of the leadership of both Saul as king and Samuel as prophet.

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 The Spirit’s Presence

Events

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Samuel: Prophet and last judge of Israel before the kings Saul: First king of Israel, anointed by Samuel

Glossary

Ammon, Ammonites Asher (Tribe) Gilead (Place) Jabesh, Jabesh-Gilead (Place) Samuel (Person) Samuel, Books of First and Second Warfare

Topics

Armies: Rendezvous of Cutting Oxen in Pieces, and Sending the Pieces Throughout Israel Decision: Ruth Jabesh-Gilead: Beseiged by the Ammonites Kings: had Power to Make War and Peace Nahash: An Ammonite King: Defeated by Saul at Jabesh-Gilead Tact of Saul, in Managing Malcontents The Armies of Israel: Collected by Extraordinary Means The Armies of Israel: Refusing to Join, often Punished The Armies of Israel: Sometimes Consisted of the Whole Nation The Jews: Obliged to Unite Against Enemies The Ox: Custom of Sending the Pieces of, to Collect the People to War