“About a month later, King Nahash of Ammon led his army against the Israelite town of Jabesh-gilead. But all the citizens of Jabesh asked for peace. “Make a treaty with us, and we will be your servants,” they pleaded. “All right,” Nahash said, “but only on one condition. I will gouge out the right eye of every one of you as a disgrace to all Israel!” “Give us seven days to send messengers throughout Israel!” replied the elders of Jabesh. “If no one comes to save us, we will agree to your terms.” When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and told the people about their plight, everyone broke into tears. Saul had been plowing a field with his oxen, and when he returned to town, he asked, “What’s the matter? Why is everyone crying?” So they told him about the message from Jabesh. Then the Spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul, and he became very angry. He took two oxen and cut them into pieces and sent the messengers to carry them throughout Israel with this message: “This is what will happen to the oxen of anyone who refuses to follow Saul and Samuel into battle!” And the Lord made the people afraid of Saul’s anger, and all of them came out together as one. When Saul mobilized them at Bezek, he found that there were 300,000 men from Israel and 30,000 men from Judah. So Saul sent the messengers back to Jabesh-gilead to say, “We will rescue you by noontime tomorrow!” There was great joy throughout the town when that message arrived! The men of Jabesh then told their enemies, “Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you can do to us whatever you wish.” But before dawn the next morning, Saul arrived, having divided his army into three detachments. He launched a surprise attack against the Ammonites and slaughtered them the whole morning. The remnant of their army was so badly scattered that no two of them were left together. Then the people exclaimed to Samuel, “Now where are those men who said, ‘Why should Saul rule over us?’ Bring them here, and we will kill them!” But Saul replied, “No one will be executed today, for today the Lord has rescued Israel!” Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us all go to Gilgal to renew the kingdom.” So they all went to Gilgal, and in a solemn ceremony before the Lord they made Saul king. Then they offered peace offerings to the Lord, and Saul and all the Israelites were filled with joy.”
1 Samuel 11:1-15 NLT
The events of Saul’s victory highlight an important point. They are inspired events, made possible by the spirit of God at work in Saul and in the battle. They were orchestrated for two basic reasons. First, they ensured that Saul would fulfill prophecy regarding the new king being a champion for Israel. Second, they also were so outlandish that even Saul recognized that only God was at work. This point must be considered in regard to Saul in particular. One of the prophecies is that the new king would be a tyrant. Yet God chose a man who was timid and anxious to fulfill his destiny. Here we see that the way in which God moves came upon Saul as an obviously supernatural inspiration. In this way, even in Saul’s newfound victory, this story would guard against his future tyranny. It served to make him king and ironically keep him humble. Even for something which God doesn’t want, we can see that he aims to provide the very best opportunities and outcomes for those he loves. He set Saul’s kingship up for success, despite knowing what would become of it.
Divine Intervention: Saul’s victory was a supernatural event orchestrated by God to fulfill prophecy and demonstrate God’s power.
Saul’s Character: God chose Saul, a timid and anxious man, to be king, highlighting God’s ability to use unexpected individuals.
God’s Plan: God’s actions, even in the face of future tyranny, aimed to provide the best opportunities for Saul and demonstrate God’s love and guidance.
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