Ver. 1. Then Nahash the Ammonite came up.] After long preparations, (1 Samuel 12:12) and for the old hatred, (Ezekiel 25:15) and upon the old claim, (Judges 11:13) as also to revenge the overthrow then given them by Jephthah. And encamped against Jabeshgilead.] Because it lay near to their country, and had been much weakened by that cruel slaughter of their men, (Judges 21:6) and not like to be relieved, because the Israelites were ill-agreed among themselves about the choice of their new king. (1 Samuel 10:27) Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee.] Take us for thy confederates, and not for thy slaves. This was to make as good terms for themselves as they could; but they should not have made any with that accursed nation. (Deuteronomy 23:3)
Ver. 2. On this condition will I make a covenant.] Slaves he would make them, and perpetually so, -stigmatical slaves, utterly disabled to deliver themselves out of his hands. That I may thrust out all your right eyes.] This was most inhuman and insolent. The devil—as another Nahash, which signifieth a serpent—would likewise put out the right eye of faith, and leave us only the left eye of reason; look to him narrowly. Those that would deprive the people of the Scriptures, and muzzle them in ignorance, do the like. And lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.] For a base people that would live upon any terms; that boasted also of an almighty God, but durst not confide in him.
Ver. 3. Give us seven days’ respite.] This the tyrant yielded unto, non ex pietate, sed ex animositate, which proved to be his ruin. Pride goeth before destruction. Meanwhile the men of Jabeshgilead tempted God in setting him a time; but he helped them nevertheless, and made way thereby for Saul’s settlement in his kingdom.
Ver. 4. And all the people lifted up their voices, and wept.] This was to “weep with those that weep.” (Romans 12:15) And if in addition they “turned again unto the Lord, that their” distressed “brethren might” the sooner “find compassion,” as 2 Chronicles 30:9, they did best of all. God, in such a case, “will restore comforts unto his mourners.” (Isaiah 57:18)
Ver. 5. Saul came after the herd out of the field.] His volunteers, belike, that guarded him home were dismissed, and he returned to his country employment, till God should give a further opportunity to act as a king. “ Res age, tutus eris. ”
Ver. 6. And the Spirit of God came upon Saul.] That is, The spirit of fortitude, saith the Chaldee Paraphrast; not that “spirit of love, of power, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7) And his anger was kindled greatly.] Anger is cos fortitudinis, saith Aristotle, the whetstone of courage And Saul, though cold in his own cause when slighted and rejected, (1 Samuel 10:27) is all alight, on fire, exarsit nasus eius, when God is dishonoured, and his people so reproached. Nervus est animae indignatio.
Ver. 7. And he took a yoke of oxen.] His own, likely, which he was following from the field. (1 Samuel 11:5) These he slayeth and sendeth abroad, as that Levite did his dead concubine, (Judges 19:29) and as the Scots do their fire cross, with proclamation that all men above sixteen years of age, and under sixty, shall come into the field, to oppose the common enemy. So shall it be done unto his oxen.] He knew that deeds would persuade more than words; and that fear of punishment prevaileth most with the many. He therefore taketh upon him like a king, which yet would have been to small purpose, but that— The fear of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.] Whereas otherwise the malcontents would have said, Minarum strepitus, Asini crepitus. Life of Edw. VI, by Sir Jo. Heywood, 20.
Ver. 8. And the men of Judah thirty thousand.] All which yielded, now that God had signified his will, to be commanded by Benjamin, the least of the tribes.
Ver. 9. Tomorrow, by that time the sun be hot.] Not tertio die, the next day after tomorrow, as Josephus and Comestor have it, who will needs mend Magnificat.
Ver. 10. Tomorrow we will come out,] viz., If help come not in the meanwhile; but this they cunningly concealed.
Ver. 11. Came into the midst…in the morning watch.] Before they were looked for by either side, with wonderful celerity; so that he might well say as Caesar did, Veni, vidi, vici, I no sooner came, but overcame. And slew the Ammonites.] Together with Nahash their king, saith Josephus; but some think otherwise, from 2 Samuel 10:1.
Ver. 12. Who is he that said?] Saul’s prudence and diligence crowned with so good success, had made him many friends. Those of Jabeshgilead showed their thankfulness many years after. (1 Samuel 31:11,12)
Ver. 13. There shall not a man be put to death this day.] Mitisima sors est Regnorum sub Rege novo. But this held not long with Saul; witness his dealing with David, Jonathan, the Lord’s priests, &c. He was never right. For today the Lord hath wrought, &c.] Therefore this day shall not be obscured or fouled with shedding of blood. So the citizens of Berne, for joy of the reformation there wrought, pardoned a couple of traitors, and gave liberty to all their exiles to return home again. Claudian. Scultet., Annal.
Ver. 14. And renew the kingdom there,] i.e., The covenant of the kingdom between the new king and his people, for the preventing of future rebellion.
Ver. 15. And there they made Saul king.] Serrarius saith these were the ceremonies used at such a time: (1.) They set the king in his throne; (2.) They crowned him; (3.) They anoined him; (4.) They put the book of the law into his hand: They took an oath of him to observe it; (6.) They offered sacrifices of all sorts; (7.) They showed various signs and testimonies of public joy.