JABESH GILEAD: Note: Saul was descended from a maid of
Jabesh (Jdg 21:12,23).
1Sa 11:5
Comparison between Saul and Gideon: (1) humility at beginning
(1Sa 9:21 / Jdg 6:15); (2) Spirit comes upon each (1Sa 11:6 / Jdg 6:34); (3)
number of fighting men (1Sa 9:8 / Jdg 7:16); (4) 3 companies (1Sa 11:11 / Jdg
7:116); (5) night attack (1Sa 9:11 / Jdg 7:19); (6) enemy as sand of seashore
(1Sa 13:5 / Jdg 7:12).
Saul is still behaving as a private citizen until proper
occasion arises (1Sa 10:7).
1Sa 11:7
HE TOOK A PAIR OF OXEN, AND CUT THEM IN PIECES, AND SENT
THE PIECES...: As Levite had done with his concubine at Gibeah (cp v 4).
Also, cp Elisha in 1Ki 19:21: the time for plowing is over! Tradition says that
such was done also with Nimrod after he was put to death for apostasy -- as a
warning to others (Tes 32:279).
Perhaps based on the death of the covenant-victim: see Lesson,
Covenant-victim, the.
1Sa 11:8
THOUSAND: Heb "eleph" = fighting men. Cp Saul's later
army (1Sa 13 2,15). Also, could 300,000 men make a SURPRISE attack (v
11)?
THE MEN OF JUDAH: No lack of sympathy for Saul in
David's tribe.
1Sa 11:9
Much later, the men of Jabesh show their gratitude to Saul:
1Sa 31:11-13; 2Sa 2:8,9.
1Sa 11:11
THEY BROKE INTO THE CAMP OF THE PHILISTINES AND SLAUGHTERED
THEM: Josephus says King Nahash himself perished.