Nahash the Ammonite threatens Jabesh-gilead. When Saul hears, the Spirit comes on him, and he summons Israel and rescues the city. The people renew the kingdom at Gilgal.
1 Then Nahash the Ammonite came up , and encamped against Jabeshgilead : and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash , Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee.
2 And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes , and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel .
3 And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days ' respite , that we may send messengers unto all the coasts of Israel : and then, if there be no man to save us, we will come out to thee.
4 Then came the messengers to Gibeah of Saul , and told the tidings in the ears of the people : and all the people lifted up their voices , and wept .
5 And, behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field ; and Saul said , What aileth the people that they weep ? And they told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh .
6 And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings , and his anger was kindled greatly .
7 And he took a yoke of oxen , and hewed them in pieces , and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers , saying , Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel , so shall it be done unto his oxen . And the fear of the LORD fell on the people , and they came out with one consent .
8 And when he numbered them in Bezek , the children of Israel were three hundred thousand , and the men of Judah thirty thousand .
9 And they said unto the messengers that came , Thus shall ye say unto the men of Jabeshgilead , To morrow , by that time the sun be hot , ye shall have help . And the messengers came and shewed it to the men of Jabesh ; and they were glad .
10 Therefore the men of Jabesh said , To morrow we will come out unto you, and ye shall do with us all that seemeth good unto you.
11 And it was so on the morrow , that Saul put the people in three companies ; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch , and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day : and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered , so that two of them were not left together .
12 And the people said unto Samuel , Who is he that said , Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men , that we may put them to death .
13 And Saul said , There shall not a man be put to death this day : for to day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel .
14 Then said Samuel to the people , Come , and let us go to Gilgal , and renew the kingdom there.
15 And all the people went to Gilgal ; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal ; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD ; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly .