Eyes: strange proposal! He would not render them quite blind, that he might not be deprived of their service. But he wished to render them unfit for war, (Calmet) as the buckler covers the left eye; (Josephus) and people who shoot with bow and arrow, keep it closed. (Calmet) read more
Days. We have examples of similar requests in history. (Grotius, Jur. iii. 23.) See Judith vii. 23. read more
1-11 The first fruit of Saul's government was the rescue of Jabesh-gilead from the Ammonites. To save their lives, men will part with liberty, and even consent to have their eyes put out; is it then no wisdom to part with that sin which is as dear to us as our right eye, rather than to be cast into hell-fire? See the faith and confidence of Saul, and, grounded thereon, his courage and resolution. See also his activity in this business. When the Spirit of the Lord comes upon men, it will make... read more
The Summoning of the People v. 1. Then Nahash, the Ammonite, the king of the children of Ammon living in the territory east of Jordan, came up, undertook a campaign of war, very likely with the object of avenging his people for the defeat administered to them by Jephthah, Judges 11:32, and encamped against Jabesh-gilead, in the valley east of Jordan, about halfway between the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea; and all the men of Jabesh, who were apparently suffering with the same lack of... read more
THIRD SECTIONConfirmation and General Recognition of the Kingdom under Saul1 Samuel 11-12I. Saul’s Victory over the Ammonites. 1 Samuel 11:1-151Then [And]1 Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against2 Jabesh-Gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said unto [to] Nahash, Make a covenant with 2us, and we will serve thee. And Nahash the Ammonite answered [said to] them, On this condition will I make a covenant3 with you, that I may thrust4 out 3all your right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon... read more
the New King’s Good Beginning 1 Samuel 11:1-15 A hundred years before, the Ammonites had been defeated by Jephthah; now they were beleaguering Jabesh-gilead. Help seemed impossible. But when the Spirit of God comes upon a man, what cannot that man do! That was Saul’s blessed experience. He aroused the country, after the manner of the Scottish chieftains with their fiery cross; then he sent a message of hope to the agonized city; and finally, as morning broke over the quiet pasture-lands,... read more
It would seem as though Saul, going down as he did to his house in Gibeah, did not take up the active responsibilities of the kingship until the Ammonite invasion occurred. This would seem to have stirred within him, as the Spirit of God came upon him, a sense of responsibility, and he responded thereto. Immediately, in the presence of the danger, and under the divine power of the Spirit, he gathered the people together, and gained a great victory. The closing sentences of the previous... read more
1 Samuel 11. Saul Delivers Jabesh-gilead and Is Made King.— (J) continues the ancient narrative, sequel to 1 Samuel 10:16. Putting aside 1 Samuel 11:12-2 Chronicles :, inserted by an editor to connect this chapter with the Deuteronomic document, the rest shows clearly that the writer knew nothing of any previous public appointment of Saul to be king: when the messengers come to Gibeah, they do not ask for Saul, and no one thinks of him until he himself intervenes. 1 Samuel 8 is probably a... read more
Then, i.e. about that time; this particle being used in some latitude, as is frequent; for that this happened before, and was the occasion of their desire of a king, may seem from 1 Samuel 12:12; although it is possible that Nahash’s preparation, and declared intention of warring against them, might cause that desire, and that Nahash did not actually come against them (which is here related) till their king was chosen. Nahash the Ammonite; either the same with him, 2 Samuel 10:2, or his father... read more
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George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 11:1
After this. So far is omitted in the Hebrew, &c., but we find it in most editions of the Septuagint and in Josephus. (Calmet) --- Fight. He had threatened an invasion before, and had perhaps (Haydock) attacked some of the tribes on the east side of the Jordan, and treated them with the same cruelty as he intended for those of Jabes, which was a city of the first consequence. (Josephus, [Antiquities?] vi. 5.) --- Naas, "a serpent." There was a king of this country of the same name, in the... read more