1 Samuel 11:1-6

Christian Standard Bible

Saul’s Deliverance of Jabesh-gilead

11 Nahash^[a](A) the Ammonite came up and laid siege to Jabesh-gilead.^(B) All the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty^(C) with us, and we will serve you.”

² Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I’ll make one with you on this condition: that I gouge out everyone’s right eye^(D) and humiliate all Israel.”^(E)

³ “Don’t do anything to us for seven days,” the elders of Jabesh said to him, “and let us send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. If no one saves us, we will surrender to you.”

⁴ When the messengers came to Gibeah,^(F) Saul’s hometown, and told the terms to the people, all wept aloud.^{(G) 5} Just then Saul was coming in from the field behind his oxen. “What’s the matter with the people? Why are they weeping?” Saul inquired, and they repeated to him the words of the men from Jabesh.

⁶ When Saul heard these words, the Spirit of God suddenly came powerfully on him,^(H) and his anger burned furiously.