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1 Samuel 11

1 Samuel 11:8

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

Translations

Modern
And when Saul numbered them at Bezek, there were 300,000 Israelites and 30,000 men of Judah.
Traditional
And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
Literal
And he numbered them in Bezek, and the sons of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
Latin
Et recensuit eos in Bezech: fueruntque filiorum Israël trecenta millia, virorum autem Juda triginta millia.

Original

Hebrew
English
And when Saul numbered them at Bezek, there were 300,000 Israelites and 30,000 men of Judah.

Notes

1 Samuel 11:8

  • Bezek was around 22.5 kilometers (14 miles) west of Jabesh-gilead.

  • The narrator's use of the terms Israel and Judah hints at the later division of the kingdom (1 Kings 12).

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 Judah: Israelite tribe, kingdom, and province

Places

Bezek: Assembly point for Saul's army

Glossary

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

Topics

Armies: Enumeration of Israel's Military Forces Bezek: A Rendezvous of Israel Under Saul Jabesh-Gilead: Beseiged by the Ammonites Nahash: An Ammonite King: Defeated by Saul at Jabesh-Gilead The Jews: Obliged to Unite Against Enemies the Tribe of Judah: Aided Saul in his Wars Tribe of Judah: At Bezek