Saul Established As King

I Samuel 11:1-15

“Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabeshgilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee. 

And 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. 

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.” (I Samuel 11:1-3)

Shortly after Saul was named as king, the Ammonites invaded the land of Gad, attacking the city of Jabesh Gilead.  The Ammonites had not caused trouble since Jephthah had defeated them, about a hundred fifty years before.  In the intervening years, the Philistines had been considered the biggest threat, so the people of Jabesh Gilead were caught unprepared, and offered to surrender if they could get a treaty.

After centuries of hearing about how Israel had taken their land, even though the stories were untrue, Nahash was carrying a grudge against Israel.  He wasn’t about to let them get off that easy.  He was looking for a chance to get even, and the only way he’d make a treaty with them was if they’d allow him to put out the right eye of every man there as sign of Israel’s cowardice.

Knowing they were outnumbered, but not wanting to lose their eyes, the leaders of Jabeshgilead asked for seven days delay in hopes of enlisting aid from other tribes, agreeing to surrender at the end of that time.  Obsessed with his desire to humiliate Israel, and knowing their lack of a strong standing army or central government, he didn’t believe they could raise an army capable of defeating him, so he agreed.  After all the more they had the more humiliating the defeat would be.

“Then 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. 

And, 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.” (I Samuel 11:4-5)

Though he had just been declared king, Saul was out herding livestock when the message came about Jabeshgilead.  It caused an uproar among the people to think about such a disaster, probably similar to that of nine eleven.  When Saul returned from herding his sheep or cattle, he had to ask what was going on.

“And the spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.  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. 

And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.” (I Samuel 11:6-8) 

When he heard the details, the spirit of God moved Saul to go to the rescue of Jabesh Gilead.  In an effort to force the people to help, he chopped up a team of oxen and sent pieces throughout the land warning that he would do the same thing to anyone who didn’t show up to help’s oxen, effectively putting them out of business and sentencing them to starvation.

In taking this approach, he completely ignored Gods command in Deuteronomy 20:2-8.  “And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people, And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them; For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you. 

And the officers shall speak unto the people, saying, What man is there that hath built a new house, and hath not dedicated it? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it.  And what man is he that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not yet eaten of it? let him also go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it.   And what man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.   And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren's heart faint as well as his heart.”

Rather than trusting God to motivate the people, Saul depends on human power and wisdom.  The same attitude will characterize his entire reign.  He never learned to just trust God.  Three hundred thirty thousand men showed up to fight.  Remember that seven hundred years before, they had six hundred thousand men?  When they fought against Gibeah in Judges 20, they had raised an army of over four hundred thousand.  Threats aren’t very good motivators.
 
“And they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall ye say unto the men of Jabeshgilead, To morrow, by that time the sun be hot, ye shall have help. And the messengers came and showed it to the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.  Therefore 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.” (I Samuel 11:9-10)

Saul sent messengers ahead to let Jabesh Gilead know they were coming and would arrive about mid morning.  The men of Jabesh were relieved, but decided not to let the Ammonites know help was coming, so they promised to give themselves up the next day to have their eyes put out.  Convinced no one was coming, Nahash undoubtedly let down his guard.

“And 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.” (I Samuel 11:11) 

Attacking about daylight or shortly after, Saul attacked from three sides, leaving the Ammonites no place to escape except as individuals slipping through the perimeter, and completely breaking their power.  They were even more humiliated than they had hoped to do to Israel.

“And 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.  And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel.” (I Samuel 11:12-13) 

After gaining such a victory, the people wanted to punish those who had complained about making Saul king.  Saul still had a sense of humility and forbid them to kill them, saying the victory was from God.  He still didn’t think of himself as being too important to herd sheep.  Unfortunately, later in his reign, he would not show such a meek spirit.

“Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.  And 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.” (I Samuel 11:14-15)

Earlier, God had chosen Saul and Samuel had anointed him king, but now the people accept him as their leader.  He had “earned his spurs.”  Too many think having the title makes one the leader.  Until one demonstrates one’s ability and skill, the title means very little.  It was the ideal time to renew their commitment to God, as well as to the kingdom.