1 Samuel 11

Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabeshgilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee.

Nahash, the Ammonite, arrived and laid siege to Jabeshgilead. The frightened men of Jabesh pleaded with Nahash, "Let's make a pact, and we will follow you."

And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On 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.

Nahash the Ammonite responded, "I'll only agree to a pact if I can gouge out your right eyes, as a symbol of disgrace for all of Israel."

And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give 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.

The leaders of Jabesh pleaded, "Please, give us a week. We'll send out pleas for help across Israel. If no one comes to our rescue, we'll surrender to you."

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.

The messengers arrived at Saul's Gibeah, sharing the news with everyone. The people, overwhelmed with emotion, cried out in unison, shedding tears.

And, behold, Saul came after 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.

Saul returned from tending the herd, puzzled at the sight of his people in tears. "Why are they crying?" he asked, and they shared the distressing news from Jabesh.

And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.

When Saul heard the news, God's Spirit filled him, igniting a fierce anger within him.

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 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 with one consent.

He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces across Israel as a stern message: "Follow Saul and Samuel, or your oxen will meet the same fate." Then the fear of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out united as one.

And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.

In the land of Bezek, he counted them all. The children of Israel numbered a mighty 300,000, while the men of Judah, though fewer, stood strong at 30,000.

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 messengers came and shewed it to the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.

The messengers were told, "Tell the people of Jabeshgilead, by the time the sun is high tomorrow, help will arrive." When the messengers relayed this to the people of Jabesh, their hearts filled with joy.

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.

So, the men of Jabesh bravely declared, "Tomorrow, we will surrender to you. Do with us as you see fit."

And it was so on 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.

The next day, Saul divided his men into three groups. They attacked at dawn, fiercely fighting the Ammonites until the day was hot. Those who survived were so scattered and broken, none were left standing together.

And the people said unto Samuel, Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death.

The crowd said to Samuel, "Who were the ones asking, 'Should Saul rule over us?' Bring those men here so we can put them to death!"

And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel.

Saul declared, "No one will die today, for the Lord has brought salvation to Israel."

Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.

With a heartfelt plea, Samuel urged the people, "Join me, let's journey to Gilgal, to breathe new life into our kingdom there."

And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.

Everyone journeyed to Gilgal, where they joyfully crowned Saul as their king under God's watchful eyes. They celebrated with peace offerings to the Lord. Saul and all the men of Israel were filled with immense joy and gratitude.