1 Samuel 11:15

Authorized King James Version

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And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.

Original Language Analysis

וַיֵּֽלְכ֨וּ H1980
וַיֵּֽלְכ֨וּ
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 1 of 25
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
כָל H3605
כָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 2 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָעָ֜ם And all the people H5971
הָעָ֜ם And all the people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 3 of 25
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
בַּגִּלְגָּ֔ל in Gilgal H1537
בַּגִּלְגָּ֔ל in Gilgal
Strong's: H1537
Word #: 4 of 25
gilgal, the name of three places in palestine
וַיַּמְלִכוּ֩ king H4427
וַיַּמְלִכוּ֩ king
Strong's: H4427
Word #: 5 of 25
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
שָׁ֨ם H8033
שָׁ֨ם
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 6 of 25
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 7 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שָׁא֛וּל and there Saul H7586
שָׁא֛וּל and there Saul
Strong's: H7586
Word #: 8 of 25
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
לִפְנֵ֣י before H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 9 of 25
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֑ה the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֑ה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 10 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בַּגִּלְגָּ֔ל in Gilgal H1537
בַּגִּלְגָּ֔ל in Gilgal
Strong's: H1537
Word #: 11 of 25
gilgal, the name of three places in palestine
וַיִּזְבְּחוּ and there they sacrificed H2076
וַיִּזְבְּחוּ and there they sacrificed
Strong's: H2076
Word #: 12 of 25
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
שָׁ֛ם H8033
שָׁ֛ם
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 13 of 25
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
זְבָחִ֥ים sacrifices H2077
זְבָחִ֥ים sacrifices
Strong's: H2077
Word #: 14 of 25
properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)
שְׁלָמִ֖ים of peace offerings H8002
שְׁלָמִ֖ים of peace offerings
Strong's: H8002
Word #: 15 of 25
properly, requital, i.e., a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks
לִפְנֵ֣י before H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 16 of 25
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֑ה the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֑ה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 17 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיִּשְׂמַ֨ח rejoiced H8055
וַיִּשְׂמַ֨ח rejoiced
Strong's: H8055
Word #: 18 of 25
probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome
שָׁ֥ם H8033
שָׁ֥ם
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 19 of 25
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
שָׁא֛וּל and there Saul H7586
שָׁא֛וּל and there Saul
Strong's: H7586
Word #: 20 of 25
shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites
וְכָל H3605
וְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 21 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אַנְשֵׁ֥י H376
אַנְשֵׁ֥י
Strong's: H376
Word #: 22 of 25
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)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 23 of 25
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
עַד H5704
עַד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 24 of 25
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
מְאֹֽד׃ greatly H3966
מְאֹֽד׃ greatly
Strong's: H3966
Word #: 25 of 25
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or

Analysis & Commentary

And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.

The chapter concludes with national celebration: sacrifices 'before the LORD,' the formal establishment of Saul as king, and rejoicing that unites the entire assembly. The peace offerings (shelamim) emphasized fellowship and celebration, with portions shared among worshippers. That 'all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly' marks the high point of Saul's reign - a united people, a proven king, enemies defeated, and God glorified. This moment of joy makes Saul's subsequent decline all the more tragic.

Historical Context

Peace offerings involved communal meals where the fat was burned to God, the breast and thigh given to priests, and the rest eaten by worshippers. These sacrifices celebrated covenant relationship and divine blessing. The public ceremony at Gilgal formally inaugurated Saul's reign with religious sanction.

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