1 Samuel 11:7
And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּקַּח֩
And he took
H3947
וַיִּקַּח֩
And he took
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
1 of 29
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
צֶ֨מֶד
a yoke
H6776
צֶ֨מֶד
a yoke
Strong's:
H6776
Word #:
2 of 29
a yoke or team (i.e., pair); hence, an acre (i.e., day's task for a yoke of cattle to plough)
לִבְקָר֑וֹ
of oxen
H1241
לִבְקָר֑וֹ
of oxen
Strong's:
H1241
Word #:
3 of 29
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
וַיְשַׁלַּ֞ח
and sent
H7971
וַיְשַׁלַּ֞ח
and sent
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
5 of 29
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 29
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
גְּב֣וּל
them throughout all the coasts
H1366
גְּב֣וּל
them throughout all the coasts
Strong's:
H1366
Word #:
7 of 29
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
יִשְׂרָאֵל֮
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֮
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
8 of 29
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
בְּיַ֣ד
by the hands
H3027
בְּיַ֣ד
by the hands
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
9 of 29
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
הַמַּלְאָכִ֣ים׀
of messengers
H4397
הַמַּלְאָכִ֣ים׀
of messengers
Strong's:
H4397
Word #:
10 of 29
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
אֲשֶׁר֩
H834
אֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 29
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֵינֶ֨נּוּ
H369
וַיֵּֽצְא֖וּ
Whosoever cometh not forth
H3318
וַיֵּֽצְא֖וּ
Whosoever cometh not forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
14 of 29
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
וְאַחַ֣ר
after
H310
וְאַחַ֣ר
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
15 of 29
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
וְאַחַ֣ר
after
H310
וְאַחַ֣ר
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
17 of 29
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
כֹּ֥ה
H3541
כֹּ֥ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
19 of 29
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יֵֽעָשֶׂ֖ה
so shall it be done
H6213
יֵֽעָשֶׂ֖ה
so shall it be done
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
20 of 29
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לִבְקָר֑וֹ
of oxen
H1241
לִבְקָר֑וֹ
of oxen
Strong's:
H1241
Word #:
21 of 29
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
וַיִּפֹּ֤ל
fell
H5307
וַיִּפֹּ֤ל
fell
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
22 of 29
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
פַּֽחַד
And the fear
H6343
פַּֽחַד
And the fear
Strong's:
H6343
Word #:
23 of 29
a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by implication, the feeling)
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
24 of 29
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
25 of 29
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָעָ֔ם
on the people
H5971
הָעָ֔ם
on the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
26 of 29
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וַיֵּֽצְא֖וּ
Whosoever cometh not forth
H3318
וַיֵּֽצְא֖וּ
Whosoever cometh not forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
27 of 29
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
Cross References
Judges 19:29And when he was come into his house, he took a knife, and laid hold on his concubine, and divided her, together with her bones, into twelve pieces, and sent her into all the coasts of Israel.Judges 20:1Then all the children of Israel went out, and the congregation was gathered together as one man, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, with the land of Gilead, unto the LORD in Mizpeh.
Historical Context
This symbolic action parallels the horrific events of Judges 19:29, where a Levite's concubine was dismembered to summon Israel against Benjamin. Saul transforms this gruesome precedent into legitimate royal authority to muster troops. Ancient Near Eastern suzerains commonly sent symbolic threats to enforce vassal compliance.
Questions for Reflection
- How does fear of the LORD produce unity among God's people?
- What role should healthy fear play in motivating obedience to divine commands?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.
Saul's dramatic action of cutting the oxen in pieces and sending them throughout Israel served as a vivid summons to war and a solemn warning of consequences for non-compliance. The phrase 'the fear of the LORD fell on the people' indicates this was no mere human manipulation but divine intervention compelling response. The 'one consent' (echad - one, unity) marks a rare moment of tribal solidarity that prefigures what unified kingdom could accomplish. Saul associates Samuel with the summons, acknowledging prophetic authority alongside royal power.