1 ¶ Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and laid siege to Jabeshgilead: and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.

2 And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, I will make a treaty with you on this condition, that I may gouge out all your right eyes, and thus lay disgrace upon all Israel.

3 And the elders of Jabesh said to him, Give us seven days’ time, that we may send messengers through all the territory of Israel: and then, if there is no one to save us, we will surrender to you.

4 When the messengers reached Gibeah where Saul was, and reported the news to the people: all the people wept aloud.

5 ¶ Now Saul came following the herd out of the field; and asked, What is causing the people to weep? And they told him the news brought by the men of Jabesh.

6 And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those things, and he became very angry.

7 And he took a yoke of oxen, and cut them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, The same shall be done to the oxen of any man who does not come out and march behind Saul and Samuel. And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one accord.

8 And when he mustered them at Bezek, the children of Israel numbered three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.

9 And the messengers who came were told, This is what you shall tell the men of Jabeshgilead, Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you will have help. And the messengers returned and told it to the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.

10 Therefore the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you may do with us whatever you please.

11 The next day Saul divided the people into three companies; and they ran into the midst of the enemy camp during the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until midday: and those who remained were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

12 ¶ Then the people said to Samuel, Who is he who said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring those men, so that we may put them to death.

13 And Saul said, No one shall be put to death this day: for today the LORD has wrought salvation in Israel.

14 Then Samuel said to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and there renew the kingdom.

15 So all the people went to Gilgal; and there at Gilgal they made Saul king before the LORD; and there they sacrificed peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.