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1 Samuel 11

1 Samuel 11:2

Saul Defeats the Ammonites · 1 Samuel 11:1–11
Read 1 Samuel 11

Translations

Modern
But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you on one condition, that I may put out everyone’s right eye and bring reproach upon all Israel.”
Traditional
And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.
Literal
And Nahash the Ammonite answered to them, “On this I will cut with you, that I may put out of you every right eye and bring reproach on all Israel.”
Latin
Et respondit ad eos Naas Ammonites: In hoc feriam vobiscum fœdus, ut eruam omnium vestrum oculos dextros, ponamque vos opprobrium in universo Israël.

Original

Hebrew
English
But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you on one condition, that I may put out everyone’s right eye and bring reproach upon all Israel.”

Notes

1 Samuel 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.

1 Samuel 11:1–15

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

1 Samuel 10:26–11:13

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

1 Samuel 9:1–11:15

Saul became powerful through three main events:

  1. Samuel secretly anointed him (1 Samuel 9:1–10:16).

  2. He was chosen by casting lots (1 Samuel 10:17–27).

  3. He defeated the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11:1–15).

See also study note on 1 Samuel 13:1–16:13.

Theme notes and profiles

Moab and Ammon Samuel Saul

Events

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Nahash: Ammonite king who besieged Jabesh Gilead

Places

Ammon: An ancient nation and its capital city, enemies of Israel

Glossary

Ammon, Ammonites Criminal Law and Punishment Gilead (Place) Gouging Jabesh, Jabesh-Gilead (Place) Nahash Samuel (Person) Samuel, Books of First and Second Warfare

Topics

Covenants: Conditions of Clearly Specified Jabesh-Gilead: Beseiged by the Ammonites Nahash: An Ammonite King: Defeated by Saul at Jabesh-Gilead Punishments: Secondary Kinds of Putting out the Eyes Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Demanded Terms of Peace The Ammonites: Proposed a Disgraceful Treaty to Jabesh-Gilead The Eye: Often Put out As a Punishment