1 Samuel

1 Samuel 11:1-8

Nahash the Ammonite went against the city of Jabesh Gilead.  The Ammonites were the offspring of Lot's incestuous relations with his daughter.  They've been a constant source of trouble to Israel from the beginning.  The folks at Jebesh Gilead wanted to subject themselves to the Ammonites to keep the peace; they were willing to investigate the idea of compromise to avoid war.  So we see a guy named 'snake' attacking God's people and God's people inviting compromise; this gets my attention. 

Nahash (snake) said he would deal with them; the deal was that he put out their eyes and bring reproach on all of Israel.  This king of handicap was permanent.  It would keep them from defending themselves from anyone.  Some probably thought this was a good deal.  After all they would only be half blind, they would still be alive.  Others would have said to be half blind is to be dead.  The enemy is very good at leading us to compromise.  He makes it easy for us to reason out why we should fold up.  Beyond the physical part of this deal is the affect on the nation, the nation of God's people.  They would appear weak and defeated.  He wanted to bring reproach on all of Israel.  We might ask, why is that important to this enemy.  I think the answer is to discover the real enemy, Satan, behind the scenes that covets God's throne. 

The elders wisely ask for time to think this over.  The Ammonites must have thought that the delay was no big deal.  Israel was so weak they felt no military threat in offering them time to think about it.  Who would save Jabesh Gilead.  These are the same folks that failed to show up at Mizpah when all of Israel was called to deal with the sins of Benjamin (Judges 21:8-9). 

Saul was in the fields when he learned of this.  This shows the humility of the king.  He didn't let this go to his head but was still behind the plow in his field.  He also quickly came to understand it was time to act as the king.  He was stirred by God's spirit and he became enraged.  Saul slaughters the oxen and sent them among the people explaining that anyone who doesn't follow him and Samuel, the same would be done to them.  The affect of this was Saul uniting the people of Israel under his kingship against their common enemy.  A great army is assembled under Saul's leadership.

1 Samuel 11:9-15

This must have been some surprise to the Ammonites.  This kind of response had not happened for some time and Nahash probably thought it was impossible.  When God's people unite to do His will, there is no end to what they can accomplish.  This great army slaughters the Ammonites in battle, saving the people of Jebesh Gilead. 

After the battle, those who were loyal to Saul gave him glory for the victory.  They were then ready to go after those who had rebelled from Saul's kingship or called it into question.  But Saul does well in giving all glory to God for the victory.  And once again we see good signs of humility and leadership from Saul. 

With all the people of Israel present Samuel moves them to Gilgal for the coronation of the king.  Saul had been established and proven as their king.

©2015 Doug Ford