1. καὶ ἐγενήθη ὡς μετὰ μῆνα καὶ ἀνέβη Ναας ὁ Αμμανίτης καὶ παρεμβάλλει ἐπὶ Ιαβις Γαλααδ καὶ εἶπον πάντες οἱ ἄνδρες Ιαβις πρὸς Ναας τὸν Αμμανίτην διάθου ἡμῖν διαθήκην καὶ δουλεύσομέν σοι
2. καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτοὺς Ναας ὁ Αμμανίτης ἐν ταύτῃ διαθήσομαι ὑμῖν διαθήκην ἐν τῷ ἐξορύξαι ὑμῶν πάντα ὀφθαλμὸν δεξιόν καὶ θήσομαι ὄνειδος ἐπὶ Ισραηλ
3. καὶ λέγουσιν αὐτῷ οἱ ἄνδρες Ιαβις ἄνες ἡμῖν ἑπτὰ ἡμέρας καὶ ἀποστελοῦμεν ἀγγέλους εἰς πᾶν ὅριον Ισραηλ ἐὰν μὴ ᾖ ὁ σῴζων ἡμᾶς ἐξελευσόμεθα πρὸς ὑμᾶς
4. καὶ ἔρχονται οἱ ἄγγελοι εἰς Γαβαα πρὸς Σαουλ καὶ λαλοῦσιν τοὺς λόγους εἰς τὰ ὦτα τοῦ λαοῦ καὶ ἦραν πᾶς ὁ λαὸς τὴν φωνὴν αὐτῶν καὶ ἔκλαυσαν
5. καὶ ἰδοὺ Σαουλ ἤρχετο μετὰ τὸ πρωὶ ἐξ ἀγροῦ καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ τί ὅτι κλαίει ὁ λαός καὶ διηγοῦνται αὐτῷ τὰ ῥήματα τῶν υἱῶν Ιαβις
6. καὶ ἐφήλατο πνεῦμα κυρίου ἐπὶ Σαουλ ὡς ἤκουσεν τὰ ῥήματα ταῦτα καὶ ἐθυμώθη ἐπ’ αὐτοὺς ὀργὴ αὐτοῦ σφόδρα
7. καὶ ἔλαβεν δύο βόας καὶ ἐμέλισεν αὐτὰς καὶ ἀπέστειλεν εἰς πᾶν ὅριον Ισραηλ ἐν χειρὶ ἀγγέλων λέγων ὃς οὐκ ἔστιν ἐκπορευόμενος ὀπίσω Σαουλ καὶ ὀπίσω Σαμουηλ κατὰ τάδε ποιήσουσιν τοῖς βουσὶν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐπῆλθεν ἔκστασις κυρίου ἐπὶ τὸν λαὸν Ισραηλ καὶ ἐβόησαν ὡς ἀνὴρ εἷς
8. καὶ ἐπισκέπτεται αὐτοὺς Αβιεζεκ ἐν Βαμα πᾶν ἄνδρα Ισραηλ ἑξακοσίας χιλιάδας καὶ ἄνδρας Ιουδα ἑβδομήκοντα χιλιάδας
9. καὶ εἶπεν τοῖς ἀγγέλοις τοῖς ἐρχομένοις τάδε ἐρεῖτε τοῖς ἀνδράσιν Ιαβις αὔριον ὑμῖν ἡ σωτηρία διαθερμάναντος τοῦ ἡλίου καὶ ἦλθον οἱ ἄγγελοι εἰς τὴν πόλιν καὶ ἀπαγγέλλουσιν τοῖς ἀνδράσιν Ιαβις καὶ εὐφράνθησαν
10. καὶ εἶπαν οἱ ἄνδρες Ιαβις πρὸς Ναας τὸν Αμμανίτην αὔριον ἐξελευσόμεθα πρὸς ὑμᾶς καὶ ποιήσετε ἡμῖν τὸ ἀγαθὸν ἐνώπιον ὑμῶν
11. καὶ ἐγενήθη μετὰ τὴν αὔριον καὶ ἔθετο Σαουλ τὸν λαὸν εἰς τρεῖς ἀρχάς καὶ εἰσπορεύονται μέσον τῆς παρεμβολῆς ἐν φυλακῇ τῇ πρωινῇ καὶ ἔτυπτον τοὺς υἱοὺς Αμμων ἕως διεθερμάνθη ἡ ἡμέρα καὶ ἐγενήθησαν οἱ ὑπολελειμμένοι διεσπάρησαν καὶ οὐχ ὑπελείφθησαν ἐν αὐτοῖς δύο κατὰ τὸ αὐτό
12. καὶ εἶπεν ὁ λαὸς πρὸς Σαμουηλ τίς ὁ εἴπας ὅτι Σαουλ οὐ βασιλεύσει ἡμῶν παράδος τοὺς ἄνδρας καὶ θανατώσομεν αὐτούς
13. καὶ εἶπεν Σαουλ οὐκ ἀποθανεῖται οὐδεὶς ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ταύτῃ ὅτι σήμερον κύριος ἐποίησεν σωτηρίαν ἐν Ισραηλ
14. καὶ εἶπεν Σαμουηλ πρὸς τὸν λαὸν λέγων πορευθῶμεν εἰς Γαλγαλα καὶ ἐγκαινίσωμεν ἐκεῖ τὴν βασιλείαν
15. καὶ ἐπορεύθη πᾶς ὁ λαὸς εἰς Γαλγαλα καὶ ἔχρισεν Σαμουηλ ἐκεῖ τὸν Σαουλ εἰς βασιλέα ἐνώπιον κυρίου ἐν Γαλγαλοις καὶ ἔθυσεν ἐκεῖ θυσίας καὶ εἰρηνικὰς ἐνώπιον κυρίου καὶ εὐφράνθη Σαμουηλ καὶ πᾶς Ισραηλ ὥστε λίαν
Footnotes:
11:1-3 - Nahash, king of the Ammonites, threatens to destroy Jabesh-gilead unless the Israelites submit to public humiliation. This crisis serves as a test of Saul's leadership (see also Judges 21:8-10 and Numbers 25:1-3).
11:6-7 - The Spirit of God comes upon Saul in great force, prompting him to summon the army of Israel. His decisive response reflects the power of the Holy Spirit to empower leaders in times of crisis (see also Judges 6:34 and 1 Samuel 16:13).
11:11 - Saul leads a crushing victory over the Ammonites, uniting the people of Israel under his leadership. This event seals Saul's legitimacy as king, showing that God is with him (see also Exodus 15:1 and Psalm 44:3-4).
11:12-13 - After his victory, Saul shows mercy by refusing to punish those who doubted his leadership. His actions reflect the grace and forgiveness that come from God (see also Matthew 5:7 and Ephesians 4:32).
11:14-15 - Samuel and the people confirm Saul as king at Gilgal, and there is great celebration. This act formalizes Saul's leadership and symbolizes the unity of Israel under divine direction (see also Joshua 5:9-10 and 1 Samuel 12:12-13).
Verses related to I Samuel, 11:
1 Samuel chapter 11 recounts Saul's first military victory. How does God use this situation to consolidate Saul's leadership? This moving text describes the Ammonite threat to Jabesh-Gilead, Saul's courageous response, and Israel's subsequent victory. The chapter explores themes such as divine empowerment for leadership, national unity, and the importance of acting decisively. 1 Samuel 11 demonstrates how God can use challenging circumstances for His purposes. Enjoy with us five biblical passages that correlate with the inspiring themes of this striking chapter.
Judges 21:25: "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what seemed right to them." - This verse contrasts with the situation in 1 Samuel 11, where Saul acts as an effective leader, showing the transition to monarchy.
Judges 3:10: "The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, so that he became judge of Israel and went out to war." - Similar to Saul's experience in 1 Samuel 11:6, where the Spirit of God comes upon him, empowering him for leadership.
Proverbs 21:31: "The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory comes from the Lord." - It reflects the theme of 1 Samuel 11, where Israel's victory over the Ammonites is attributed to the Lord.
Deuteronomy 13:5: "That prophet or dreamer must be killed, because he preached rebellion against the Lord, their God, who brought them out of Egypt and redeemed them from the land of slavery; he tried to turn them away from the path the Lord their God commanded them to follow. Eliminate evil from among you." - It echoes Saul's threat in 1 Samuel 11:7 to kill those who did not follow him into battle.
Psalms 18:47: "He is the God who vindicates me and subjects nations to my power." - It reflects Saul's victory over the Ammonites in 1 Samuel 11, attributing the success to God.
FAQ:
How did Saul lead the victory over the Ammonites?
Saul rallied the Israelites and, with God’s help, defeated the Ammonites who were threatening Jabesh-gilead, cementing his leadership. (1 Samuel 11:6-11)
What was the people's response after the victory over the Ammonites?
After the victory, the people wanted to kill those who doubted Saul, but he forgave them, giving credit to God for the victory. (1 Samuel 11:12-13)
What happened at Gilgal after Saul's victory?
The people gathered at Gilgal to renew the kingdom and confirm Saul as king, offering sacrifices and celebrating with great joy. (1 Samuel 11:14-15)
What was Saul's strategy to defeat the Ammonites?
Saul divided his army into three groups and attacked the Ammonites by surprise at dawn, routing their forces. (1 Samuel 11:11)
How did God intervene in the battle against the Ammonites?
God inspired Saul with His Spirit, granting him the courage and wisdom to rally the tribes and lead them into victorious battle. (1 Samuel 11:6)
How did Saul lead Israel against the Ammonites?
Saul gathered an army and defeated the Ammonites to liberate Jabesh-gilead, proving his leadership. (1 Samuel 11:6-11)
What made the people fully accept Saul as king?
After the victory over the Ammonites, Samuel gathered the people at Gilgal, where they renewed the kingdom and confirmed Saul as king. (1 Samuel 11:14-15)
How did Saul unite Israel to fight the Ammonites?
He sent messengers with pieces of dead oxen, threatening to destroy the livestock of anyone who did not follow Saul and Samuel into battle. (1 Samuel 11:7)
What did Jabesh-gilead do when it was besieged by the Ammonites?
He asked for seven days to seek help before surrendering to Nahash, king of the Ammonites. (1 Samuel 11:1-3)
What was the role of the Spirit of God in the victory over the Ammonites?
The Spirit empowered Saul with courage and leadership to rally the people and win the battle. (1 Samuel 11:6)
