1 Then Nahash{H5176} the Ammonite{H5984} came up{H5927}{(H8799)}, and encamped{H2583}{(H8799)} against Jabeshgilead{H3003}{H1568}: and all the men{H582} of Jabesh{H3003} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto Nahash{H5176}, Make{H3772}{(H8798)} a covenant{H1285} with us, and we will serve{H5647}{(H8799)} thee.

2 And Nahash{H5176} the Ammonite{H5984} answered{H559}{(H8799)} them, On this{H2063} condition will I make{H3772}{(H8799)} a covenant with you, that I may thrust out{H5365}{(H8800)} all your right{H3225} eyes{H5869}, and lay{H7760}{(H8804)} it for a reproach{H2781} upon all Israel{H3478}.

3 And the elders{H2205} of Jabesh{H3003} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto him, Give us seven{H7651} days{H3117}' respite{H7503}{(H8685)}, that we may send{H7971}{(H8799)} messengers{H4397} unto all the coasts{H1366} of Israel{H3478}: and then, if there be no man to save{H3467}{(H8688)} us, we will come out{H3318}{(H8804)} to thee.

4 Then came{H935}{(H8799)} the messengers{H4397} to Gibeah{H1390} of Saul{H7586}, and told{H1696}{(H8762)} the tidings{H1697} in the ears{H241} of the people{H5971}: and all the people{H5971} lifted up{H5375}{(H8799)} their voices{H6963}, and wept{H1058}{(H8799)}.

5 And, behold, Saul{H7586} came{H935}{(H8804)} after{H310} the herd{H1241} out of the field{H7704}; and Saul{H7586} said{H559}{(H8799)}, What aileth the people{H5971} that they weep{H1058}{(H8799)}? And they told{H5608}{(H8762)} him the tidings{H1697} of the men{H582} of Jabesh{H3003}.

6 And the Spirit{H7307} of God{H430} came{H6743}{(H8799)} upon Saul{H7586} when he heard{H8085}{(H8800)} those tidings{H1697}, and his anger{H639} was kindled{H2734}{(H8799)} greatly{H3966}.

7 And he took{H3947}{(H8799)} a yoke{H6776} of oxen{H1241}, and hewed them in pieces{H5408}{(H8762)}, and sent{H7971}{(H8762)} them throughout all the coasts{H1366} of Israel{H3478} by the hands{H3027} of messengers{H4397}, saying{H559}{(H8800)}, Whosoever cometh not forth{H3318}{(H8802)} after{H310} Saul{H7586} and after{H310} Samuel{H8050}, so shall it be done{H6213}{(H8735)} unto his oxen{H1241}. And the fear{H6343} of the LORD{H3068} fell{H5307}{(H8799)} on the people{H5971}, and they came out{H3318}{(H8799)} with one{H259} consent{H376}.

8 And when he numbered{H6485}{(H8799)} them in Bezek{H966}, the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478} were three{H7969} hundred{H3967} thousand{H505}, and the men{H376} of Judah{H3063} thirty{H7970} thousand{H505}.

9 And they said{H559}{(H8799)} unto the messengers{H4397} that came{H935}{(H8802)}, Thus shall ye say{H559}{(H8799)} unto the men{H376} of Jabeshgilead{H3003}{H1568}, To morrow{H4279}, by that time the sun{H8121} be hot{H2527}, ye shall have help{H8668}. And the messengers{H4397} came{H935}{(H8799)} and shewed{H5046}{(H8686)} it to the men{H582} of Jabesh{H3003}; and they were glad{H8055}{(H8799)}.

10 Therefore the men{H582} of Jabesh{H3003} said{H559}{(H8799)}, To morrow{H4279} we will come out{H3318}{(H8799)} unto you, and ye shall do{H6213}{(H8804)} with us all that seemeth{H5869} good{H2896} unto you.

11 And it was so on the morrow{H4283}, that Saul{H7586} put{H7760}{(H8799)} the people{H5971} in three{H7969} companies{H7218}; and they came{H935}{(H8799)} into the midst{H8432} of the host{H4264} in the morning{H1242} watch{H821}, and slew{H5221}{(H8686)} the Ammonites{H5983} until the heat{H2527} of the day{H3117}: and it came to pass, that they which remained{H7604}{(H8737)} were scattered{H6327}{(H8799)}, so that two{H8147} of them were not left{H7604}{(H8738)} together{H3162}.

12 And the people{H5971} said{H559}{(H8799)} unto Samuel{H8050}, Who is he that said{H559}{(H8802)}, Shall Saul{H7586} reign{H4427}{(H8799)} over us? bring{H5414}{(H8798)} the men{H582}, that we may put them to death{H4191}{(H8686)}.

13 And Saul{H7586} said{H559}{(H8799)}, There shall not a man{H376} be put to death{H4191}{(H8714)} this day{H3117}: for to day{H3117} the LORD{H3068} hath wrought{H6213}{(H8804)} salvation{H8668} in Israel{H3478}.

14 Then said{H559}{(H8799)} Samuel{H8050} to the people{H5971}, Come{H3212}{(H8798)}, and let us go{H3212}{(H8799)} to Gilgal{H1537}, and renew{H2318}{(H8762)} the kingdom{H4410} there.

15 And all the people{H5971} went{H3212}{(H8799)} to Gilgal{H1537}; and there they made Saul{H7586} king{H4427}{(H8686)} before{H6440} the LORD{H3068} in Gilgal{H1537}; and there they sacrificed{H2076}{(H8799)} sacrifices{H2077} of peace offerings{H8002} before{H6440} the LORD{H3068}; and there Saul{H7586} and all the men{H582} of Israel{H3478} rejoiced{H8055}{(H8799)} greatly{H3966}.