1 Samuel 11:3
And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days' respite, that we may send messengers unto all the coasts of Israel: and then, if there be no man to save us, we will come out to thee.
Original Language Analysis
יָבֵ֗ישׁ
of Jabesh
H3003
יָבֵ֗ישׁ
of Jabesh
Strong's:
H3003
Word #:
4 of 19
jobesh, the name of an israelite and of a place in palestine
הֶ֤רֶף
respite
H7503
הֶ֤רֶף
respite
Strong's:
H7503
Word #:
5 of 19
to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)
שִׁבְעַ֣ת
unto him Give us seven
H7651
שִׁבְעַ֣ת
unto him Give us seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
7 of 19
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
יָמִ֔ים
days
H3117
יָמִ֔ים
days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
8 of 19
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
וְנִשְׁלְחָה֙
that we may send
H7971
וְנִשְׁלְחָה֙
that we may send
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
9 of 19
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
מַלְאָכִ֔ים
messengers
H4397
מַלְאָכִ֔ים
messengers
Strong's:
H4397
Word #:
10 of 19
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
בְּכֹ֖ל
H3605
בְּכֹ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
גְּב֣וּל
unto all the coasts
H1366
גְּב֣וּל
unto all the coasts
Strong's:
H1366
Word #:
12 of 19
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
13 of 19
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְאִם
H518
וְאִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
14 of 19
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
מוֹשִׁ֛יעַ
and then if there be no man to save
H3467
מוֹשִׁ֛יעַ
and then if there be no man to save
Strong's:
H3467
Word #:
16 of 19
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
אֹתָ֖נוּ
H853
אֹתָ֖נוּ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Historical Context
The seven-day period allowed messengers to travel throughout Israel. The fragmented nature of the tribal confederation meant military response required voluntary cooperation. The period of judges had seen repeated failures of inter-tribal unity (Judges 5:15-17).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God sometimes use desperate situations to accomplish His purposes?
- When has an enemy's overconfidence led to their downfall in your experience?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days' respite, that we may send messengers unto all the coasts of Israel: and then, if there be no man to save us, we will come out to thee.
The elders' request for seven days reveals both their desperate straits and, remarkably, Nahash's overconfidence. That he grants this respite suggests his certainty that no help would come - a miscalculation rooted in his underestimation of Israel's God. The appeal to 'all the coasts of Israel' represents a final desperate hope that the scattered tribes might unite. This moment exposes the fundamental weakness of the pre-monarchical period: no central authority existed to coordinate national defense.