1 Samuel 11

11:1-15 Saul’s kingship was confirmed through a military victory, the very reason the people wanted a king (8:20).11:1 Ammon (see Gen 19:38), located on the east side of the Jordan, represented a threat to Israel similar to the Philistines to the southwest (see also Judg 10:6–11:33). • Make a treaty with us: Cp. Josh 9; 2 Sam 10:19.

11:2 gouge out the right eye: Mutilation of captured soldiers was a common practice in the ancient Near East. These disfigured soldiers would have lost all depth perception, seriously curtailing their potential for fighting in a revolt.

11:3 Nahash agreed to grant a reprieve of seven days, reflecting his arrogant confidence of victory and his desire to humiliate Israel as much as possible.

11:7 Not to participate would indicate rejection of the leadership of both Saul as king and Samuel as prophet.

11:8 Bezek was about fourteen miles west of Jabesh-gilead. • The narrator’s use of the terms Israel and Judah anticipates the later division of the kingdom (1 Kgs 12).

11:13 No one will be executed: This was a time for rejoicing, not revenge.

11:14 renew the kingdom: “Renew” indicates that someone or something had deteriorated or had been damaged (cp. Ps 51:10). Whatever effect the scoundrels (1 Sam 10:27; 11:12) might have had in undermining the people’s confidence was now rectified by Saul’s victory over the Ammonites.

11:15 The solemn ceremony before the Lord acknowledged Saul’s sovereignty as king while affirming that the Lord was Israel’s true King. • Peace offerings were common on historic occasions that inaugurated important institutions (see Exod 24:5; Lev 9:4, 18, 22; 1 Kgs 8:63-64).