1
Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabeshgilead: and all the men of Jabeshsaid unto Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee.
2
And Nahash the Ammoniteanswered them, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your righteyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.
3
And the elders of Jabeshsaid unto him, Give us sevendays' respite, that we may sendmessengers 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, Saulcameafter the herd out of the field; and Saulsaid, What aileth the people that they weep? And they told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh.
6
And the Spirit of Godcame upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindledgreatly.
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 forthafterSaul and afterSamuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the LORDfell on the people, and they came out with oneconsent.
8
And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were threehundredthousand, and the men of Judahthirtythousand.
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 messengerscame and shewed it to the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.
10
Therefore the men of Jabeshsaid, To morrow we will come out unto you, and ye shall do with us all that seemethgood unto you.
11
And it was so on the morrow, that Saulput the people in threecompanies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morningwatch, 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 lefttogether.
12
And the peoplesaid unto Samuel, Who is he that said, Shall Saulreign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death.
13
And Saulsaid, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to day the LORD hath wroughtsalvation in Israel.
14
Then saidSamuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.
15
And all the peoplewent to Gilgal; and there they made Saulkingbefore the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificedsacrifices of peace offeringsbefore the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israelrejoicedgreatly.