1Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabesh-gilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you.
2And 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 Yashar'el (Israel).
3And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days’ respite, that we may send messengers unto all the coasts of Yashar'el (Israel): and then, if there be no man to save us, we will come out to you.
4Then came the messengers to Gibeah of Saul, and told the tidings in the ears of the people: and all the people lifted up their voices, and wept.
5And, behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field; and Saul said, What aileth the people that they weep? And they told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh.
6And the Spirit of Elohim (God) came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.
7And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Yashar'el (Israel) by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever comes not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of Yahuah (LORD) fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.
8And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Yashar'el (Israel) were three hundred thousand, and the men of Yahudah (Judah) thirty thousand.
9And they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall you say unto the men of Jabesh-gilead, To morrow, by that time the sun be hot, you shall have help. And the messengers came and shewed it to the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.
10Therefore the men of Jabesh said, To morrow we will come out unto you, and you shall do with us all that seems good unto you.
11And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together.
12And the people said unto Samuel, Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death.
13And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to day Yahuah (LORD) has wrought salvation in Yashar'el (Israel).
14Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.
15And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before Yahuah (LORD) in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before Yahuah (LORD); and there Saul and all the men of Yashar'el (Israel) rejoiced greatly.