Then Nahash{H5176} the Ammonite{H5984} came up,{H5927} and encamped{H2583} against Jabesh-gilead:{H3003} and all the men{H582} of Jabesh{H3003} said{H559} unto Nahash,{H5176} Make{H3772} a covenant{H1285} with us, and we will serve{H5647} thee.

And Nahash{H5176} the Ammonite{H5984} said{H559} unto them, On this{H2063} condition will I make{H3772} it with you, that all your right{H3225} eyes{H5869} be put out;{H5365} and I will lay{H7760} it for a reproach{H2781} upon all Israel.{H3478}

And the elders{H2205} of Jabesh{H3003} said{H559} unto him, Give us seven{H7651} days'{H3117} respite,{H7503} that we may send{H7971} messengers{H4397} unto all the borders{H1366} of Israel;{H3478} and then, if there be none to save{H3467} us, we will come out{H3318} to thee.

Then came{H935} the messengers{H4397} to Gibeah{H1390} of Saul,{H7586} and spake{H1696} these words{H1697} in the ears{H241} of the people:{H5971} and all the people{H5971} lifted up{H5375} their voice,{H6963} and wept.{H1058}

And, behold, Saul{H7586} came{H935} following{H310} the oxen{H1241} out of the field;{H7704} and Saul{H7586} said,{H559} What aileth the people{H5971} that they weep?{H1058} And they told{H5608} him the words{H1697} of the men{H582} of Jabesh.{H3003}

And the Spirit{H7307} of God{H430} came{H6743} mightily upon Saul{H7586} when he heard{H8085} those words,{H1697} and his anger{H639} was kindled{H2734} greatly.{H3966}

And he took{H3947} a yoke{H6776} of oxen,{H1241} and cut them in pieces,{H5408} and sent{H7971} them throughout all the borders{H1366} of Israel{H3478} by the hand{H3027} of messengers,{H4397} saying,{H559} Whosoever cometh not forth{H3318} after{H310} Saul{H7586} and after{H310} Samuel,{H8050} so shall it be done{H6213} unto his oxen.{H1241} And the dread{H6343} of Jehovah{H3068} fell{H5307} on the people,{H5971} and they came out{H3318} as one{H259} man.{H376}

And he numbered{H6485} them in Bezek;{H966} and the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478} were three{H7969} hundred{H3967} thousand,{H505} and the men{H376} of Judah{H3063} thirty{H7970} thousand.{H505}

And they said{H559} unto the messengers{H4397} that came,{H935} Thus shall ye say{H559} unto the men{H376} of Jabesh-gilead,{H3003} To-morrow,{H4279} by the time the sun{H8121} is hot,{H2527} ye shall have deliverance.{H8668} And the messengers{H4397} came{H935} and told{H5046} the men{H582} of Jabesh;{H3003} and they were glad.{H8055}

Therefore the men{H582} of Jabesh{H3003} said,{H559} To-morrow{H4279} we will come out{H3318} unto you, and ye shall do{H6213} with us all that seemeth{H5869} good{H2896} unto you.

And it was so on the morrow,{H4283} that Saul{H7586} put{H7760} the people{H5971} in three{H7969} companies;{H7218} and they came{H935} into the midst{H8432} of the camp{H4264} in the morning{H1242} watch,{H821} and smote{H5221} the Ammonites{H5983} until the heat{H2527} of the day:{H3117} and it came to pass, that they that remained{H7604} were scattered,{H6327} so that not two{H8147} of them were left{H7604} together.{H3162}

And the people{H5971} said{H559} unto Samuel,{H8050} Who is he that said,{H559} Shall Saul{H7586} reign{H4427} over us? bring{H5414} the men,{H582} that we may put them to death.{H4191}

And Saul{H7586} said,{H559} There shall not a man{H376} be put to death{H4191} this day;{H3117} for to-day{H3117} Jehovah{H3068} hath wrought{H6213} deliverance{H8668} in Israel.{H3478}

Then said{H559} Samuel{H8050} to the people,{H5971} Come,{H3212} and let us go{H3212} to Gilgal,{H1537} and renew{H2318} the kingdom{H4410} there.

And all the people{H5971} went{H3212} to Gilgal;{H1537} and there they made Saul{H7586} king{H4427} before{H6440} Jehovah{H3068} in Gilgal;{H1537} and there they offered{H2076} sacrifices{H2077} of peace-offerings{H8002} before{H6440} Jehovah;{H3068} and there Saul{H7586} and all the men{H582} of Israel{H3478} rejoiced{H8055} greatly.{H3966}