17 Saul’s Victory at Gilead

1 Samuel 11 presents us with how while the Lord the Lord spoke against His people’s desire for an earthly king to rule over them, He was also at work on their behalf, providing protection and even victory for them.

The chapter begins in an interesting way as we see Israelites from the area of Jabesh Gilead were threatened by one of Israel’s longtime enemies the Ammonites.

1 Ammon Threatens Israel

1 Samuel 11:1-2

The manner in which Ammon threatened Jabesh Gilead was interesting. While they set an encampment about the Israelite city, it wasn’t even that they offered Israel an ultimatum, in essence saying, “submit to us or else”. No, what was interesting, was the way those from Jabesh Gilead responded, as they suggested making a covenant with the pagan Ammonites.

So, we not only see God’s people willing to compromise with the enemy, but they did so without even considering inquiring of the Lord, or even consulting the king they had so desired.

But this showed the attitude of their hearts.

The Ammonites then continued the unusual circumstances, as they agreed to the offer of a covenant. They included the condition, that if the Israelites did not submit to them, then they would put out all their right eyes.

It seems they included this condition for two reasons:

• First it would greatly humiliate God’s people, as they would appear to all as being weak and vulnerable
• The reason for blinding them would certainly be to cause them to be vulnerable in battle.
• It’s a picture of how the enemy desires to spiritually incapacitate the believer.

We see how the name of the Ammonite commander Nahash, speaks volumes, as it means “serpent” or “snake”.

2 Israel’s Response

Because the Ammonites wouldn’t wait very long for Israel’s response, the men of Jabesh Gilead suggested to Nahash, that they would answer him within seven days:

1 Samuel 11:3

The area of Jabesh Gileaad was quite isolated from most of Israel, and therefore they believed they were more or less “on their own”.

Of course, that attitude was because they failed to remember they had the Lord on their side.

Therefore, they suggested to Nahash, that if no one came to their defense, they would submit to his demands.

In the same way, when a believer acts in that fashion, we fail to remember, that God’s Word instructs us to submit to God, and to resist our enemy:

James 4:7

3 Turning to the King

Once they’d secured the agreement to deliver their answer within seven days, the men of Jabesh Gilead sent messengers to Saul’s hometown:

1 Samuel 11:4-5

But what must be pointed out, is sadly the people still hadn’t sought an answer from the Lord.

Nor did the messengers immediately seek out their new king, but rather presented the problem to the first people of Saul’s hometown that they met.

Upon hearing the news, the people “lifted up their voices and wept”.

They acted in such manner because they presumed that they were also powerless in the situation.

While this was occurring, Saul was continuing his normal work, plowing in his fields, when he heard the cries of the people, and inquired as to the problem.

Here, we see that Saul had not yet set up his court or a government of any kind, even though he was officially king.

4 Saul’s Reaction

As Saul was told of the problem, we’re told that once again, “the Spirit of God came upon Saul…”

1 Samuel 11:6-15

While in his flesh, we’d seen Saul display hesitance and even cowardice regarding becoming king, here under the power of the Spirit, he became angry, and was moved to action.

The Bible is clear, that anger itself is not sin, but we must be careful not to allow anger to become sin:

Ephesians 4:26

Saul delivered a harsh message to the people of Israel. He cut up a yoke of oxen and declared that the same would be done to the oxen of any Israelite who failed to join the cause, of coming to the add of their brethren at Jabesh Gilead.

Saul also included Samuel as one who along with himself, would be leading the nation into battle, thus acknowledging it wasn’t only a military battle, but that there was a spiritual component to the fight.

The result was that the fear of the Lord came upon the people. Therefore, God was working upon the heart of Saul and the people as well.

The messengers then returned to Jabesh Gilead to advise them that help would be on the way.

The men on Jabesh Gilead then shrewdly addressed the Ammonite commander, as they acted as though they might surrender the following day:

1 Samuel 11:10

Saul then organized the Israelites into battle formation, once again showing how the Lord desires for us to do everything in an organized fashion.

The Lord then provided victory for His people. The Ammonites who weren’t killed, were then scattered.

5 Saul Acknowledged

Even though Saul had already been anointed and presented as king, Samuel used the occasion of the first victory under Saul, to acknowledge (ratify) his monarchy:

1 Samuel 11:12-15