1 Samuel 11:1

Authorized King James Version

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Then 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 thee.

Original Language Analysis

וַיַּ֗עַל came up H5927
וַיַּ֗עַל came up
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 1 of 17
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
נָחָ֔שׁ Then Nahash H5176
נָחָ֔שׁ Then Nahash
Strong's: H5176
Word #: 2 of 17
nachash, the name of two persons apparently non-israelite
הָֽעַמּוֹנִ֔י the Ammonite H5984
הָֽעַמּוֹנִ֔י the Ammonite
Strong's: H5984
Word #: 3 of 17
an ammonite or (the adjective) ammonitish
וַיִּ֖חַן and encamped H2583
וַיִּ֖חַן and encamped
Strong's: H2583
Word #: 4 of 17
properly, to incline; by implication, to decline (of the slanting rays of evening); specifically, to pitch a tent; generally to encamp (for abode or s
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 5 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יָבֵישׁ֙ against Jabeshgilead H3003
יָבֵישׁ֙ against Jabeshgilead
Strong's: H3003
Word #: 6 of 17
jobesh, the name of an israelite and of a place in palestine
גִּלְעָ֑ד H1568
גִּלְעָ֑ד
Strong's: H1568
Word #: 7 of 17
gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites
וַיֹּ֨אמְר֜וּ said H559
וַיֹּ֨אמְר֜וּ said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 8 of 17
to say (used with great latitude)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 9 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אַנְשֵׁ֤י H376
אַנְשֵׁ֤י
Strong's: H376
Word #: 10 of 17
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
יָבֵישׁ֙ against Jabeshgilead H3003
יָבֵישׁ֙ against Jabeshgilead
Strong's: H3003
Word #: 11 of 17
jobesh, the name of an israelite and of a place in palestine
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 12 of 17
near, with or among; often in general, to
נָחָ֔שׁ Then Nahash H5176
נָחָ֔שׁ Then Nahash
Strong's: H5176
Word #: 13 of 17
nachash, the name of two persons apparently non-israelite
כְּרָת Make H3772
כְּרָת Make
Strong's: H3772
Word #: 14 of 17
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
לָ֥נוּ H0
לָ֥נוּ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 15 of 17
בְרִ֖ית a covenant H1285
בְרִ֖ית a covenant
Strong's: H1285
Word #: 16 of 17
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
וְנַֽעַבְדֶֽךָּ׃ with us and we will serve H5647
וְנַֽעַבְדֶֽךָּ׃ with us and we will serve
Strong's: H5647
Word #: 17 of 17
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

Analysis & Commentary

Then 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 thee.

Nahash ('serpent' in Hebrew) exemplifies the hostile forces arrayed against God's covenant people. His siege of Jabesh-gilead, a town in Transjordan with close ties to the tribe of Benjamin (Judges 21:8-14), creates a crisis that will prove Saul's fitness for kingship. The men of Jabesh propose vassalage rather than death, revealing the desperate spiritual and military condition of Israel. Their willingness to 'serve' (abad) a foreign oppressor stands in stark contrast to their calling to serve the LORD alone.

Historical Context

The Ammonites, descendants of Lot (Genesis 19:38), occupied territory east of the Jordan River. Jabesh-gilead's vulnerability stemmed from its isolated position across the Jordan from the main Israelite settlements. This period (c. 1050 BC) saw increasing pressure from surrounding nations due to Israel's spiritual declension.

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