Study notes

1 Samuel 11

Introducing 1 SamuelWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

8:1–12:25 Section

Samuel’s sons weren’t faithful to God like Samuel was. The Israelites didn’t want them as leaders. The Israelites no longer wanted to be led by judges. They no longer wanted God to be their only Ruler. Instead, they wanted a human being to be their king.

The people groups around the Israelites were led by kings. The Israelites wanted to be like those people groups. They thought that a human king would solve their problems. The Israelites' problem was that the people groups around them were treating them badly. This was one of the covenant curses.

It happened because the Israelites weren’t faithful to the Mount Sinai covenant. It happened because they didn’t fully drive out the Canaanites. The Israelites thought a human king would help them win battles over those people groups. That is how they hoped to enjoy the covenant blessing of peace.

Winning battles was more important to them than serving God with all their heart. This made Samuel very sad. It also made God very sad. God allowed his people (God’s people) to have a king. Samuel explained clearly how the king should act. Those rules are recorded in Deuteronomy 17:14–20.

Saul started out as a humble king. He was a farmer and was willing to be used by the Holy Spirit. All the Israelites accepted him. They accepted him after he rescued the town of Jabesh Gilead from the king of Ammon.

Samuel made it clear to the Israelites that they had refused to accept God as their King. They were sad that they had done this and recognised that they had sinned. Samuel encouraged them to follow God no matter what happened. The people and the king were to live according to God’s ways.

9:1–11:15

Saul became powerful through three main events:

Samuel secretly anointed him (1 Samuel 9:1–10:16).
He was chosen by casting lots (1 Samuel 10:17–27).
He defeated the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11:1–15).

10:26–11:13

Saul showed he could lead by handling opposition and saving the town of Jabesh-gilead.

11:1

Ammon (see Genesis 19:38), located east of the Jordan River, was a threat to Israel like the Philistines in the southwest (see also Judges 10:6–11:33).
Make a treaty with us: Compare Joshua 9; 2 Samuel 10:19.

11:1–15

Saul became king after winning a battle, which was why the people wanted a king (1 Samuel 8:20).

11:2

put out everyone’s right eye: In the ancient Near East, it was common to mutilate captured soldiers. These soldiers, with one eye, lost depth perception, making it hard for them to fight in a revolt.

11:3

Nahash agreed to a seven-day delay, showing his arrogant confidence in winning and his desire to humiliate Israel as much as possible.

11:7

Not participating would indicate rejection of the leadership of both Saul as king and Samuel as prophet.

11:8

Bezek was around 22.5 kilometers (14 miles) west of Jabesh-gilead.
The narrator's use of the terms Israel and Judah hints at the later division of the kingdom (1 Kings 12).

11:13

No one shall be put to death: This was a time to celebrate, not seek revenge.

11:14

renew the kingship: “Renew” indicates something was damaged or worn out and is now being restored (see Psalm 51:10). The troublemakers (1 Samuel 10:27; 11:12) may have shaken the people's confidence, but Saul's victory over the Ammonites fixed that.

11:15

The formal ceremony before the Lord recognized Saul as king, while affirming that the Lord was Israel's true King.
People often made peace offerings during important events that started significant institutions (see Exodus 24:5; Leviticus 9:4, 18, 22; 1 Kings 8:63–64).

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources