📖 1 Samuel — Chapter 11 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
1 Samuel 11:1 Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabeshgilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, RMake a covenant with us, and we will serve thee.
1 Samuel 11:2 And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, ROn 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.
1 Samuel 11:3 And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, TGive 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.
1 Samuel 11:4 Then came the messengers Rto Gibeah of Saul, and told the tidings in the ears of the people: and all the people lifted up their voices, and wept.
1 Samuel 11:5 And, behold, Saul came Rafter 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.
1 Samuel 11:6 And the RSpirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.
1 Samuel 11:7 And he took a yoke of oxen, and Rhewed 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 Twith one consent.
1 Samuel 11:8 And when he numbered them in RBezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.
1 Samuel 11:9 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 RThelp. And the messengers came and shewed it to the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.
1 Samuel 11:10 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.
1 Samuel 11:11 And it was so Ron 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.
1 Samuel 11:12 And the people said unto Samuel, RWho is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death.
1 Samuel 11:13 And Saul said, RThere shall not a man be put to death this day: for to day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel.
1 Samuel 11:14 Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and Rlet us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.
1 Samuel 11:15 And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they Rsacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Samuel 11:1–5 — Jabeshgilead seeks help
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Nahash demands a humiliating surrender from Jabeshgilead. The elders gain seven days to seek rescue, and messengers reach Saul's town. Their distress brings Saul from ordinary field work into a public crisis.
Key Truth: The threatened community seeks help before accepting the enemy's terms.
Check What You Remember
1. Who threatened Jabeshgilead? (1 Samuel 11:1)
Find it in 1 Samuel 11:1 (KJV).
2. How many days' respite did the elders request? (1 Samuel 11:3)
Find it in 1 Samuel 11:3 (KJV).
3. To which town did the messengers come? (1 Samuel 11:4)
Find it in 1 Samuel 11:4 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Samuel 11:6–11 — Saul gathers Israel and rescues Jabesh
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The Spirit of God comes upon Saul, who summons Israel. The gathered force brings a promise of help to Jabesh and attacks in three companies. The rescue establishes Saul's capacity to lead at the beginning of his reign.
Key Truth: The narrative explicitly connects Saul's response with the Spirit's coming.
Check What You Remember
1. Who came upon Saul when he heard? (1 Samuel 11:6)
Find it in 1 Samuel 11:6 (KJV).
2. Where did Saul number the people? (1 Samuel 11:8)
Find it in 1 Samuel 11:8 (KJV).
3. Into how many companies did Saul divide them? (1 Samuel 11:11)
Find it in 1 Samuel 11:11 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Samuel 11:12–15 — Mercy and renewed kingship
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Some want Saul's earlier critics killed, but Saul refuses because the LORD has worked salvation. Samuel calls the people to Gilgal, where they renew the kingdom with peace offerings and joy. Rescue is followed here by restraint rather than retaliation against opponents.
Key Truth: Saul initially credits the LORD and refuses revenge on his critics.
Check What You Remember
1. Did Saul permit the critics to be killed that day? (1 Samuel 11:13)
Find it in 1 Samuel 11:13 (KJV).
2. Where was the kingdom renewed? (1 Samuel 11:14)
Find it in 1 Samuel 11:14 (KJV).
3. What offerings were sacrificed there? (1 Samuel 11:15)
Find it in 1 Samuel 11:15 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
1 Samuel 10:27 — Saul's earlier critics provide the background to his refusal of retaliation.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
How does Saul speak about the source of the rescue, and what decision follows from that acknowledgment?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. What cruel condition did Nahash give for a covenant?
2. How did Saul’s response transform public mourning into mobilization?
3. How did the promise of rescue correspond with the attack?
4. Why did Saul reject executing those who had questioned his rule?
5. What marks the renewal of the kingdom at Gilgal?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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