1 Samuel 11 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study
1 Samuel 11 Summary - A Quick Overview
WHEN:
Samuel was born in approximately 1100 B.C.
Samuel lived until approximately 1012 B.C.
Israel’s first king was appointed in approximately 1050 B.C.
CHARACTERS:
Saul – God selected Saul to be the first king of Israel. He was from the tribe of Benjamin.
Samuel – A prophet of God. He was Israel’s last significant judge.
Nahash – The leader of the Ammonite army that attacked Jabesh-gilead.
Men of Jabesh-gilead – Their city was besieged by the Ammonites.
WHERE:
Jabesh-gilead was on the east side of the Jordan River in the territory of Gad.
Saul lived in Gibeah.
The army of Israel gathered at Bezek to march against the Ammonites.
OUTLINE:
SAUL DEFEATS NAHASH AND THE AMMONITES (11:1-11):
Nahash and the Ammonites besieged the Israelite city of Jabesh-gilead.
The people of the city asked for peace and told Nahash they would be his servants.
Nahash agreed to let them live, but on the condition he gouge out each person’s right eye to humiliate them.
The people of Jabesh asked for 7 days to make a decision, which Nahash granted.
Messengers were sent from Jabesh-gilead throughout Israel to try to find help.
When Saul heard the news, the Spirit of God rushed on him, he took two oxen, cut them in pieces, and sent the pieces throughout Israel.
The messengers who carried the pieces were to rally the people saying, “Whoever does not come out after Saul and Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen!”
Saul assembled all the people of Israel at Bezek, 300,000 men.
They notified the men of Jabesh-gilead they were coming to their aid.
Upon hearing the good news, the men of Jabesh sent a message to Nahash pretending as if they were going to surrender to him the next day.
When the next day came, Saul’s army attacked the Ammonites and won a great victory.
SAUL IS REAFFIRMED AS KING (11:12-15):
After Saul’s victory, some of his loyal men proposed punishing those who had originally opposed Saul’s reign (10:27).
But Saul rejected their proposal, saying it was a day to celebrate God’s salvation, not a day for retribution against fellow countrymen.
Samuel and the Israelites went to Gilgal and “made Saul king before the Lord” with sacrifices and rejoicing.
APPLICATION:
This situation between Nahash and the men of Jabesh-gilead parallels our fight against Satan.
Satan wants to humiliate us, but we must give ourselves up to him, we must accept his terms.
As with Nahash’s brutal peace proposal, Satan’s terms are never worth accepting.
Never accept what Satan is offering!
Send away for help, pray to God for help, and help will undoubtedly arrive.
1Co 10:13 - No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
