1 Samuel 11:4

Authorized King James Version

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Then 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.

Original Language Analysis

וַיָּבֹ֤אוּ Then came H935
וַיָּבֹ֤אוּ Then came
Strong's: H935
Word #: 1 of 14
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
הַמַּלְאָכִים֙ the messengers H4397
הַמַּלְאָכִים֙ the messengers
Strong's: H4397
Word #: 2 of 14
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
גִּבְעַ֣ת to Gibeah H1390
גִּבְעַ֣ת to Gibeah
Strong's: H1390
Word #: 3 of 14
gibah; the name of three places in palestine
שָׁא֔וּל of Saul H7586
שָׁא֔וּל of Saul
Strong's: H7586
Word #: 4 of 14
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
וַיְדַבְּר֥וּ and told H1696
וַיְדַבְּר֥וּ and told
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 5 of 14
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
הַדְּבָרִ֖ים the tidings H1697
הַדְּבָרִ֖ים the tidings
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 6 of 14
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
בְּאָזְנֵ֣י in the ears H241
בְּאָזְנֵ֣י in the ears
Strong's: H241
Word #: 7 of 14
broadness. i.e., (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
הָעָ֛ם and all the people H5971
הָעָ֛ם and all the people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 8 of 14
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וַיִּשְׂא֧וּ lifted up H5375
וַיִּשְׂא֧וּ lifted up
Strong's: H5375
Word #: 9 of 14
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
כָל H3605
כָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 10 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֛ם and all the people H5971
הָעָ֛ם and all the people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 11 of 14
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 12 of 14
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
קוֹלָ֖ם their voices H6963
קוֹלָ֖ם their voices
Strong's: H6963
Word #: 13 of 14
a voice or sound
וַיִּבְכּֽוּ׃ and wept H1058
וַיִּבְכּֽוּ׃ and wept
Strong's: H1058
Word #: 14 of 14
to weep; generally to bemoan

Analysis & Commentary

Then 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.

The messengers arrive at Gibeah, Saul's hometown and the future capital of his kingdom. That the people 'lifted up their voices and wept' indicates both deep compassion for their kinsmen and fear of their own vulnerability. The corporate weeping represents a spontaneous national mourning that sets the stage for divine intervention. God often moves His people to grief before granting deliverance, preparing hearts to recognize that salvation comes from Him alone.

Historical Context

Gibeah of Benjamin was strategically located in the hill country, about three miles north of Jerusalem. Its recent shameful history (Judges 19-20) made its emergence as the seat of kingship a demonstration of God's redemptive purposes. The town's association with Saul would continue throughout his reign.

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