1 Samuel 11
Summary for 1Sam 11:1-15: 11:1-15 a Saul’s kingship was confirmed through a military victory, the very reason the people wanted a king (8:20 b). 11:1 c Ammon (see Gen 19:38 d), located on the east side of the Jordan, represented a threat to Israel similar to the Philistines to the southwest (see also Judg 10:6–11:33 e).• Make a treaty with us: Cp. Josh 9 f; 2 Sam 10:19 g.
11:2 h gouge out the right eye: Mutilation of captured soldiers was a common practice in the ancient Near East. These disfigured soldiers would have lost all depth perception, seriously curtailing their potential for fighting in a revolt.
11:3 i Nahash agreed to grant a reprieve of seven days, reflecting his arrogant confidence of victory and his desire to humiliate Israel as much as possible.
11:7 j Not to participate would indicate rejection of the leadership of both Saul as king and Samuel as prophet.
11:8 k Bezek was about fourteen miles west of Jabesh-gilead.
• The narrator’s use of the terms Israel and Judah anticipates the later division of the kingdom (1 Kgs 12 l).
11:13 m No one will be executed: This was a time for rejoicing, not revenge.
11:14 n renew the kingdom: “Renew” indicates that someone or something had deteriorated or had been damaged (cp. Ps 51:10 o). Whatever effect the scoundrels (1 Sam 10:27 p; 11:12 q) might have had in undermining the people’s confidence was now rectified by Saul’s victory over the Ammonites.
11:15 r The solemn ceremony before the Lord acknowledged Saul’s sovereignty as king while affirming that the Lord was Israel’s true King.
• Peace offerings were common on historic occasions that inaugurated important institutions (see Exod 24:5 s; Lev 9:4 t, 18 u, 22 v; 1 Kgs 8:63-64 w).
Copyright information for
TNotes