King James Version, with Nii Okai's journal notes · 7 notes
1Then 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.
2And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.
3And 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.
Such pomposity from the enemy, and he agreed to their demands. He knew they had no help; they couldn't help themselves, and no one could help them either.
But they did not know things had changed.
4Then came the messengers to Gibeah of Saul, and told the tidings in the ears of the people: and all the people lifted up their voices, and wept.
5And, behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field; and Saul said, What aileth the people that they weep? And they told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh.
Saul's kingdom was still new, and he was still following after the herd, and yet so humble.
6And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.
7And 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.
Saul acted based on the Spirit coming upon him, and because of that anointing, his fear fell upon the people and they followed him.
Just as Samuel had told him... "do as occasion serves"
Now here was an occasion, and God was with him.
If THE Spirit of God is upon a man 👨, that man can gather for the kingdom of God.
God here put fear upon the people, and it caused them to join Saul in battle.
This is not the first time the Spirit of God has come upon a man for him to gather God's people for war and for service.
We see it in Gideon also, and many other judges.
8And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
9And they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall ye say unto the men of Jabesh-gilead, To morrow, by that time the sun be hot, ye shall have help. And the messengers came and shewed it to the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.
10Therefore the men of Jabesh said, To morrow we will come out unto you, and ye shall do with us all that seemeth good unto you.
11And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together.
12And the people said unto Samuel, Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death.
Now the evidence of his calling and anointing was seen.
Now there was zest in the tone and approach of the people.
13And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel.
14Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.
So really not all the people had accepted Saul as king 👑.
Let's not forget that at such a time, when a new kingdom is being established, there are varied interests and factions.
Samuel's influence, both spiritual and through years of judging, backed Saul.
But that was not powerful enough to ensure acceptance by the whole nation.
But now that heaven had responded by helping Saul to gather the people for war, he had expanded his authority and influence.
He had a standing army with victory ✌️, spoils of war and weaponry on their side.
Now he was king indeed. This was a fine opportunity to consolidate his authority and kingship, and this Samuel did at Gilgal.
The next question 🙋, however, is, why Gilgal?
Dake's commentary explains that it was at Gilgal that they first entered Canaan, so it was befitting in that regard to go renew the kingdom where it all started from.
15And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.
So his kingdom was strengthened further, for proof of his calling was bare for all to see.