1 Samuel 11:12 - Meaning and Application

Here we see how the great victory Saul had won was put to use at home. The men of Jabesh-Gilead, who had barely escaped losing their right eyes, no doubt now saw their chance to take revenge on their cruel enemies, the Ammonites. They had been spared from a harsh humiliation, and now they could strike back so the same threat would never come on them again. In that way, they would be avenged for the loss they had been threatened with, as Samson was avenged on the Philistines for his blinded eyes (Judges 16:28).

The account here, though, is not mainly about what happened to the Ammonites. It is about how this victory affected Israel itself. The people used the moment to show their loyalty to Saul and their anger at those who had insulted him. Samuel was apparently present, if not in the battle itself, then at least when the victors returned. Since Saul could not rightly judge his own case, the people brought the matter to Samuel, the judge, and asked that the worthless men who had said Saul should not rule over them be brought out and killed (1 Samuel 11:12). Saul’s success, as foolish people often call it, did more to confirm his right to rule than either his choosing by lot or Samuel’s anointing.

The people had not dared to speak this way when Saul looked weak and insignificant. Now that victory had made him look strong, they wanted the offenders put to death. But Saul used this moment to show even more kindness. Without waiting for Samuel’s answer, he stopped the proposal himself and said that no one would be put to death that day, not even those evil men who had abused him and, by doing so, had also dishonored God (1 Samuel 11:13). He gave two reasons. First, it was a day of joy and victory, because the Lord had brought salvation to Israel, and since God had been good to everyone, they should not be harsh with one another. Second, he seems to have hoped that this day had changed their minds. They had now seen that God could save them through this man, and they had begun to respect the one they had once despised. If enemies become friends, that helps more than killing them.

All good rulers should think this way. Their power is meant to build up, not to destroy. Samuel then called the people together before the Lord at Gilgal, so they could publicly thank God for their recent victory (1 Samuel 11:14-15). There they rejoiced greatly, and they offered peace offerings, giving God the praise for the success they had enjoyed. Samuel also wanted Saul’s rule to be confirmed more formally than before, so he would not withdraw again into obscurity. He wanted the kingdom renewed, his own resignation renewed, and the people’s approval renewed. In agreement with God’s appointment, they made Saul king by their own public act of submission.