1 Samuel 11:5 - Meaning and Application

What is recorded here reflects greatly on Saul’s honor and shows the good effects of the new spirit he had received. First, we see his humility. Even though he had been anointed king and accepted by the people, he did not think it beneath him to keep watch over his own flock. He went himself to see them and returned in the evening with his servants from the field (1 Samuel 11:5). This shows that his promotion had not made him proud, as often happens when people are lifted up from lowly places.

God had not yet given Saul much kingly work, so he left matters in Samuel’s hands. For the present, he went back to his country work rather than sit idle. Men who had no respect for him might look down on this, but wise and hardworking people would think no worse of him for it. He had no fixed income to support his royal rank, and he did not want to be a burden to the people. So, like Paul, he worked with his hands. If he neglected his household affairs, how else would he support himself and his family? Solomon gives a similar warning, saying to look carefully after the herds, because a crown does not last from generation to generation (Proverbs 27:23-24). Saul’s crown did not last, so he needed to provide something more certain.

Second, we see his concern for his neighbors. When he saw them weeping, he asked what was wrong. He wanted to know whether it was a trouble he could help fix, or, if not, at least share their sorrow. Good rulers feel troubled when their people are in tears.

Third, we see his zeal for the safety and honor of Israel. When he heard about the arrogance of the Ammonites and the distress of a city, a mother city in Israel, the Spirit of God came upon him and gave him strong thoughts, and his anger burned greatly (1 Samuel 11:6). He was angry at the Ammonites’ insolence, angry at the weak and sneaking spirit of the men of Jabesh-Gilead, and angry that they had not told him sooner about the Ammonites’ attack and the danger they faced. He was also angry to see his neighbors weeping when they should have been preparing for war. This was a brave and noble fire in Saul’s heart, fitting for his high office.

Fourth, we see the authority and power he used in this urgent matter. Saul soon showed all Israel that, even though he had been living quietly, he still cared for the public good and knew how to command men into the field, just as well as he knew how to drive cattle out of the field (1 Samuel 11:5, 1 Samuel 11:7). He sent a summons through all the regions of Israel, showing that his authority reached beyond his own tribe to all the tribes. He ordered all able men to gather at Bezek for military service. He joined Samuel with himself in the command, showing modesty and respecting the prophet’s office. He also showed mildness in the penalty he threatened against anyone who disobeyed. He cut a yoke of oxen in pieces and sent the pieces through the cities of Israel, warning not, “This will be done to the man,” but, “This will be done to his oxen.”

God had once spoken of such a loss as a severe judgment, saying that the ox would be killed before a man’s eyes and he would not eat of it (Deuteronomy 28:31). Some penalty was needed to enforce the command, but this was far less severe than the punishment attached to a similar order by the whole assembly (Judges 21:5). Saul wanted to show that his rule was gentler than the government they had known before. The result was that the militia, or trained soldiers, of the nation came out together as one man. The reason given is that the fear of the Lord fell on them. Saul did not try to make them fear him. Instead, they obeyed because they feared God and respected the One who had made Saul their king and had made them members of one another. Religion and the fear of God make men good subjects, good soldiers, and good friends to the public good. Those who fear God will take their duty seriously toward all people, especially toward their rulers.

Fifth, we see Saul’s wise handling of the whole matter. He counted the men who came to him so he would know his strength and arrange his forces as well as possible (1 Samuel 11:8). It is an honor for rulers to know the number of their men, but it is the glory of the King of kings that his armies cannot be numbered (Job 25:3). In this gathering, Judah did not make a great showing, even though it was counted separately. Out of the whole number, it was only one-eleventh, 30,330, though the meeting place was Bezek, in that tribe. They lacked the numbers, or the courage, or the zeal for which that tribe had once been known. So low had it fallen, just before the royal scepter would be brought into it through David.

Sixth, we see Saul’s faith and confidence, and from that his courage and firm resolve. It seems that Saul sent back the same messengers who had brought the news from Jabesh-Gilead, using them to raise the militia. They would be faithful and careful in their own business. He sent them back to their distressed countrymen with this promise, likely encouraged by Samuel: “Tomorrow, by this time, before the enemy can claim that the seven days are over, you will have deliverance” (1 Samuel 11:9). “Be ready to do your part, and we will do ours. You go out against the besiegers, while we surround them.” Saul knew his cause was right, that he had a clear call, and that God was on his side, so he did not doubt the outcome.

This was good news to the people of Gilead, whose tears had nearly dried up from sorrow and who had nearly grown weak from waiting for rescue. The greater the danger, the more welcome the rescue. When they heard this, they were glad and trusted the promise sent to them. They even sent word into the enemy camp (1 Samuel 11:10) that the next day they would be ready to meet them. The enemies took this as proof that the men of Jabesh had given up hope of help, so they grew more confident. If they failed to send out scouts to correct their own mistake, they had only themselves to blame if they were caught off guard. The besieged men were under no duty to warn them of the help they had been promised.

Seventh, we see Saul’s hard work and close attention to the matter. Even if he had been raised and trained as a soldier from youth, and had led regiments as often as he had followed cattle, he could not have handled this task more skillfully or with greater care. When the Spirit of the Lord comes upon a man, it can make him capable even without long experience.

Saul now had a large army at hand, especially for that time, and before him was a long march of nearly sixty miles, with the Jordan River to cross as well. He had no cavalry, only foot soldiers, and he divided them into three groups (1 Samuel 11:11). Even so, he moved with amazing speed toward the enemy.

In one day and one night, he reached the place where the issue would be settled, both for himself and for Israel. He kept his promise, and in fact did even better than he had promised. He had said he would bring help by the time the sun was hot the next day (1 Samuel 11:9), but he arrived in the morning watch, before dawn (1 Samuel 11:11). God helps those he supports, and he does so early (Psalm 46:5).

Saul also showed great courage in attacking the enemy. Early in the morning, when the Ammonites were likely dreaming of the victory they expected that day over the people of Jabesh-Gilead, Saul suddenly came into the middle of their camp. His men marched in three columns, so the enemy was surrounded on every side and had no time or courage to resist.

To complete Saul’s honor, God gave success to these brave actions. Jabesh-Gilead was rescued, and the Ammonites were completely defeated. Saul had the whole day ahead of him to finish the victory, and it was a full victory indeed. After a great slaughter, the survivors were so scattered that two could not stay together to encourage or help one another (1 Samuel 11:11).

We may think Saul acted with special energy for two reasons. First, there was some connection between the tribe of Benjamin and the city of Jabesh-Gilead. That city had once refused to join the rest of Israel in destroying Gibeah, and that had been counted against it at the time. But now that kindness may have been remembered when Saul, a man from Gibeah, came so quickly and boldly to rescue Jabesh-Gilead. There was more than that, too. Two-thirds of the remaining Benjamites had been given wives from that city (Judges 21:14), so many of Benjamin’s mothers were women from Jabesh-Gilead. Saul, as a Benjamite, would therefore have had a special affection for it, and the people there later repaid that kindness (1 Samuel 31:11-12).

Second, it was the Ammonite attack that had led the people to ask for a king, as Samuel later says (1 Samuel 12:12). So if Saul had failed in this campaign, he would have disappointed their hopes and lost their respect forever.