1 Samuel 11:12-15

The Kingship of Saul Renewed. 1 Samuel 11:12-15

12 And the people said unto Samuel, Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death.

13 And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for today the Lord hath wrought salvation in Israel.
14 Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.
15 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.

11.

How did Saul demonstrate his ?Wis. 11:12; ?Wis. 11:13

After the rout of the Ammonites, many of the people of Israel thought they should punish those evil men who had opposed Saul's becoming king. Saul had now demonstrated that he was an able military leader and the populace thought that those who distrusted him should not be allowed to continue their propaganda against him. Saul was very wise in not seeking vengeance. He decreed that there would not be any man put to death in Israel during the time of victory celebration. He would do nothing to mar the complete victory which belonged to the people. Saul was also very wise in attributing the victory to the power of the Lord. He said it was the Lord who had wrought salvation in Israel.

12.

In what sense was the kingdom renewed? 1 Samuel 11:14

Samuel called the people to go again to Gilgal. He wanted to emphasize the fact that the kingdom was now firmly established. Saul had proved himself to be a capable leader, and Samuel thought it was wise that the people reaffirm their allegiance to the new king. The place that he chose was very significant. At this place the covenant of circumcision had been renewed by the people of Israel when they crossed the Jordan under Joshua (Joshua 5:1-9). It was necessary to renew the kingdom because it was much firmer after the united effort against the Ammonites than it had been at any previous time. Now, too, the people of Israel were ready to give thanks for the victory and the many blessings they had received from God's hand.

13.

Why did they offer sacrifices at Gilgal? 1 Samuel 11:15

The sacrifices mentioned here are peace offerings. In a sense they were thank offerings and were usually connected with a sacrificial meal. People offered these on joyous occasions, for they were feasts of rejoicing. Israel had many things for which to be thankful, and it was quite appropriate that they offer such sacrifices. Samuel again demonstrates that he is serving as a priest in leading the people to make such offerings.