1 A nd Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh-gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.

Then Nahash the Ammonite came and his soldiers set up their tents around Jabesh-gilead. All the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make an agreement with us, and we will work for you.”

2 B ut Nahash the Ammonite told them, On this condition I will make a treaty with you, that I thrust out all your right eyes and thus lay disgrace on all Israel.

But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, “I will make an agreement with you only if I may cut out the right eye of every one of you. This way I will put all Israel to shame.”

3 T he elders of Jabesh said to Nahash, Give us seven days’ time, that we may send messengers through all the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no man to save us, we will come out to you.

The leaders of Jabesh said to him, “Let us alone for seven days, so we may send men with news through the land of Israel. Then, if there is no one to save us, we will give ourselves up to you.”

4 T hen messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and told the news in the ears of the people; and all the people wept aloud.

The men came to Gibeah of Saul and told the news to the people. And all the people cried with a loud voice.

5 N ow Saul came out of the field after the oxen, and said, What ails the people that they are weeping? And they told him the words of the men of Jabesh.

Now Saul was coming from the field behind the cattle, and he said, “What troubles the people? Why are they crying?” So they told him the news the men had brought from Jabesh.

6 T he Spirit of God came mightily upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was greatly kindled.

The Spirit of God came upon Saul with power when he heard this news, and he became very angry.

7 A nd 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, Whoever does not come forth after Saul and Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen! And terror from the Lord fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.

He took two bulls and cut them in pieces and sent them through the land of Israel with the men who had brought the news, saying, “This will be done to the bulls of those who will not come out after Saul and Samuel.” The fear of the Lord came upon the people, and they all came out together.

8 A nd he numbered them at Bezek, and the Israelites were 300, 000 and the men of Judah 30, 000.

Saul numbered them at Bezek. There were 300, 000 men of Israel, and 30, 000 men of Judah.

9 T he messengers who came were told, Say to the men of Jabesh-gilead, Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have help. The messengers came and reported to the men of Jabesh, and they were glad.

They said to the men who had brought the news, “Tell the men of Jabesh-gilead that tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you will have help.” So the men went and told the news to the men of Jabesh, and they were glad.

10 S o the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you may do to us all that seems good to you.

Then the men of Jabesh said, “Tomorrow we will give ourselves up to you. And you may do to us whatever you think is good.”

11 T he next day Saul put the men in three companies; and they came into the midst of the enemy’s camp in the morning watch and slew the Ammonites until midday; and the survivors were scattered, so that no two of them remained together.

The next morning, Saul put the people in three groups. They came among the tents early in the morning and killed the Ammonites until the heat of the day. Those who were left alive were divided, so that no two of them stayed together.

12 T he people said to Samuel, Who is he who said, Shall Saul reign over us? Bring the men, that we may put them to death.

Then the people said to Samuel, “Who is it that said, ‘Should Saul rule over us?’ Bring the men, that we may put them to death.”

13 B ut Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day, for today the Lord has brought deliverance to Israel.

But Saul said, “No man will be put to death this day. For today the Lord has saved Israel.”

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

Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and make it the place for the king.”

15 A ll the people went to Gilgal and there 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.

So all the people went to Gilgal. There they made Saul king before the Lord, in Gilgal. There they gave peace gifts to the Lord. And there Saul and all the men of Israel were filled with much joy.