College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
1 Samuel 11 - Introduction
A DIGEST OF CHAPTER 11
Jabesh-gilead attacked. Israel was seldom free from oppression and opposition. This may have been the meaning of the spies who said, The land,., is a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof (Numbers 13:32). Many of the attacks came from neighbors nearby, and the Ammonite people were such neighbors.
Jabesh-gilead delivered. The Spirit of God came upon Saul, and he took immediate steps to rescue the Trans-jordan residents of Jabesh-gilead from the clutches of their attackers. His kindness on their behalf made them his lifelong friends.
The kingship of Saul renewed. Samuel called the people to an assembly at Gilgal. Saul was again presented to the people, and some called for the punishment of those who had rejected the kingship of Saul when he was first crowned king. Saul's magnanimity prevailed, and the worthless fellows who had opposed him at the first were spared. This happy solution to the situation caused all Israel to return to their homes with joy.
LESSONS FOR LEARNING
1.
Christian living is never easy. The Israelites may have thought that their life in the promised land of Palestine would be without hardship. It was, indeed, often described as a land flowing with milk and honey (Exodus 3:8). The land, however, was a political football; and from the south the Egyptians often attacked it. From the north came the Assyrians. From the east came the Ammonites and Moabites. Besides these hostile peoples, there were the Edomites, Amalekites, and Philistines. These are typical of the enemies of Christiansthe materialists, secularists, atheists, and hedonists.
2.
There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24 b). When the tribes of Israel demanded that the men of Benjamin deliver up the criminals of Gibeah, the Benjaminites refused (Judges 20:13). As a result, a civil war was fought; and Benjamin was nearly destroyed. The remnant of the men of Benjamin found wives in Jabesh-gilead (Judges 21:14). We are left to wonder if Saul might have been descended from one of these. At any rate, he moved swiftly to deliver the inhabitants of the city in his day. As a result, these people were ever after indebted to him. They showed him the final kindness of taking his gibbeted body from the walls of Beth-shean (1 Samuel 31:11-13). Christians today should be grateful for their lifelong friends in the church and especially thankful that they can sing, What a friend we have in Jesus.
CHAPTER 11 IN REVIEW
1.
Who was the king of the Ammonites who died?
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2.
What town of Israelites did the Ammonites attack?
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3.
In what area was the town located?
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4.
What influence came to Saul?
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5.
What animal did Saul dissect and distribute?
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6.
Where did Israel assemble to go to battle?
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7.
How many men of Israel went to fight?
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8.
How many men of Judah went to battle?
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9.
Who won the battle?
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10.
Where did Israel meet for a sacrifice?
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