1Samuel:11

---

Seeker Overlay ON

* Then came up Nahash the Ammonite , and encamped against Jabesh-gilead , and all the man of Jabesh said unto Nahash , Solemnise with us a covenant , that we may serve thee . * And Nahash the Ammonite said unto them , Hereby , will I solemnise with you by digging out for you , every ones right eye , and laying it for a reproach , upon all Israel . * And the elders of Jabesh said unto him Give us a respite of seven days , that we may send messengers throughout all the bounds of Israel , and then , if there is none to save us , we will come out unto thee . * And , when the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul , and spake the words in the ears of the people , all the people lifted up their voice , and wept . * But lo ! Saul , came in , following the oxen , out of the field , and Saul said , What aileth the people , that they should weep ? Then were recounted to him the words of the men of Jabesh . * And the Spirit of God came suddenly upon Saul , when he heard these words , and his anger raged furiously . * So he took a yoke of oxen , and cut them in pieces , and sent throughout all the bounds of Israel by the hand of messengerssaying , Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul , and after Samuel , so , shall it be done unto his oxen . Then felt the dread of Yahweh , upon the people , and they came forth , as one man . * And , when he numbered them in Bezek , the sons of Israel were found to bethree hundred thousand , and the men of Judah thirty thousand . * So they said unto the messengers who had come Thus , shall ye surely say to the men of Jabesh-gilead , To-morrow , shall ye have deliverance , about the time the son is hot . And , when the messengers came and told the men of Jabesh , they rejoiced . * So the men of Jabesh said , To-morrow , will we come out unto you , Then shall ye do with us , according to all that is good in your eyes . * And it came to pass on the morrow , that Saul set the people in three companies , and they entered into the midst of the host , during the morning watch , and smote Ammon until the day was hot . And it came to pass that , they who were left , were scattered , so that there were not left among them , two together . * Then said the people unto Samuel , Who is he that was saying , Shall , Saul , reign over us ? Give up the men , that we may put them to death . * But Saul said , There shall not be put to death a man , this day , for , to-day , hath Yahweh wrought deliverance in Israel . * Then said Samuel unto the people , Come and let us go to Gilgal , and let us there renew the kingdom . * So all the people went to Gilgal , and made Saul king there , before Yahweh , in Gilgal , and offered there sacrifices of peace-offerings before Yahweh , and Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced there , exceedingly .

---