Saul's Victory I Samuel 11

I Samuel 11:12-13 "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. And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day; for to day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel."

Nahash the Ammonrite surrounded a city called Jabesh-gilead. The people of Israel asked for a covenant with them. The Ammonites said they would agree if the people would agree to have their right eye put out as a reproach.

The elders of Jabesh said give us seven days and if help does not come, we will come out.

Word went out for help. Saul was working in the field when he heard the news and became very angry. He rallied all Israel by cutting up an ox and sending pieces out to the tribes.

v7"...Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen..."

The people were afraid not to follow Saul. There were 330,000 fighting men who came to fight with Saul. Word was sent to Jabesh that help was on the way.

v9 "And they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall ye say unto the men of Jabesh-gilead, 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."

Israel was greatly impressed with Saul's leadership and wanted to kill those who had been against him being king but Saul would not allow it. He said, 'no body dies today'.

Then Samuel led the people back to Gilgal and Saul was made king.

The phrase in verse 9 sounds very good to me 'ye shall have help'. It was not that, if this or that does not happen or hinder but it was a stated fact. Ye shall have help. When? When the sun is hot. Jabesh just needed to hold out until the morning.

I think of Daniel when he fasted and prayed for 21 days. Help was on the way but he did not know it. He kept praying. Daniel 10:11-12 tells of Daniel's prayer and the angel explaining why he was late.

Daniel 10:11-12 "And he said unto me O Daniel, a man greatly beloved understand the words that I speak unto thee and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. Then said he unto me Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thing heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. v13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia."

So, we can rest in knowing that the message for help is received. We must wait and trust.

Psalm 123:3 "Have mercy upon us, O LORD, have mercy upon us; for we are exceedingly filled with contempt."

keywords: Bible Study, Old Testament, Saul, Samuel, Jabesh,Israel,Milton Southerland,Bible