Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 11:12
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.
Verse 12. Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign] Now, flushed with victory and proud of their leader, they wished to give him a proof of their attachment by slaying, even in cool blood, the persons who were at first averse from his being intrusted with the supreme power! The common soldier is scarcely ever inspired by his victory to acts of magnanimity; he has shed blood-he wishes to shed more!
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Shall Saul reign over us? they did not say so in terms, a we may see, 1Sa 10:27, but this was the design and consequence of their speech, as they rightly construe it.
That we may put them to death; which till this time they were not able to do, because that infection was then almost universal.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
12-15. the people said . . ., Who ishe that said, Shall Saul reign over us?The enthusiasticadmiration of the people, under the impulse of grateful and generousfeelings, would have dealt summary vengeance on the minority whoopposed Saul, had not he, either from principle or policy, shownhimself as great in clemency as in valor. The calm and sagaciouscounsel of Samuel directed the popular feelings into a right channel,by appointing a general assembly of the militia, the really effectiveforce of the nation, at Gilgal, where, amid great pomp and religioussolemnities, the victorious leader was confirmed in his kingdom [1Sa11:15].
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And the people said unto Samuel,…. By which it seems that Samuel accompanied Saul in this expedition; though it is somewhat difficult to account for it, that a man of his years should be able to attend so quick a march that Saul made; it may be, therefore, that he might follow after him gently, and meet him quickly after the battle was fought, when the people made the following speech to him:
who is he that said, shall Saul reign over us? is such a mean inexperienced man fit to rule over us? who can bear his government, and submit to it? what can be expected from him, that he should deliver and save us out of the hands of our enemies? in this they had respect to the sons of Belial, and what they said, 1Sa 10:27, but now it appeared he was sufficiently qualified, and God had made him an instrument of salvation, and was a proper person to be king over them:
bring the men, that we may put them to death; so transported were they with affection to Saul, and indignation against those men.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Renewal of the Monarchy. – Saul had so thoroughly acted the part of a king in gaining this victory, and the people were so enthusiastic in his favour, that they said to Samuel, viz., after their return from the battle, “ Who is he that said, Saul should reign over us! ” The clause contains a question, though it is indicated simply by the tone, and there is no necessity to alter into . These words refer to the exclamation of the worthless people in 1Sa 10:27. “ Bring the men (who spoke in this manner), that we may put them to death.” But Saul said, “ There shall not a man be put to death this day; for to-day Jehovah hath wrought salvation in Israel;” and proved thereby not only his magnanimity, but also his genuine piety.
(Note: “Not only signifying that the public rejoicing should not be interrupted, but reminding them of the clemency of God, and urging that since Jehovah had shown such clemency upon that day, that He had overlooked their sins, and given them a glorious victory, it was only right that they should follow His example, and forgive their neighbours’ sins without bloodshed.” – Seb. Schmidt.)
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
| Sacrifices Offered to God. | B. C. 1069. |
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 to day 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.
We have here the improvement of the glorious victory which Saul had obtained, not the improvement of it abroad, though we take it for granted that the men of Jabesh-Gilead, having so narrowly saved their right eyes, would with them now discern the opportunity they had of avenging themselves upon these cruel enemies and disabling them from ever straitening them in like manner again; now shall they be avenged on the Ammonites for their right eyes condemned, as Samson on the Philistines for his two eyes put out, Judg. xvi. 28. But the account here given is of the improvement of this victory at home.
I. The people took this occasion to show their jealousy for the honour of Saul, and their resentment of the indignities done him. Samuel, it seems, was present, if not in the action (it was too far for him to march) yet to meet them when they returned victorious; and to him, as judge, the motion was made (for they knew Saul would not be judge in his own cause) that the sons of Belial that would not have him to reign over them should be brought forth and slain, v. 12. Saul’s good fortune (as foolish men commonly call it) went further with them to confirm his title than either his choice by lot or Samuel’s anointing him. They had not courage thus to move for the prosecution of those that opposed him when he himself looked mean, but, now that his victory made him look great, nothing would serve but they must be put to death.
II. Saul took this occasion to give further proofs of his clemency, for, without waiting for Samuel’s answer, he himself quashed the motion (v. 13): There shall not a man be put to death this day, no, not those men, those bad men, that had abused him, and therein reflected on God himself, 1. Because it was a day of joy and triumph: “To day the Lord has wrought salvation in Israel; and, since God has been so good to us all, let us not be harsh one to another. Now that God has made the heart of Israel in general so glad, let not us make sad the hearts of any particular Israelites.” 2. Because he hoped they were by this day’s work brought to a better temper, were now convinced that this man, under God, could save them, now honoured him whom before they had despised; and, if they are but reclaimed, he is secured from receiving any disturbance by them, and therefore his point is gained. If an enemy be made a friend, that will be more to our advantage than to have him slain. And all good princes consider that their power is for edification, not for destruction.
III. Samuel took this occasion to call the people together before the Lord in Gilgal,1Sa 11:14; 1Sa 11:15. 1. That they might publicly give God thanks for their late victory. There they rejoiced greatly, and, that God might have the praise of that which they had the comfort of, they sacrificed to him, as the giver of all their successes, sacrifices of peace-offerings. 2. That they might confirm Saul in the government, more solemnly than had been yet done, that he might not retire again to his obscurity. Samuel would have the kingdom renewed; he would renew his resignation, and the people should renew their approbation, and so in concurrence with, or rather in attendance upon, the divine nomination, they made Saul king, making it their own act and deed to submit to him.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Said Acclaimed, vs. 12-15
The defeat of the Ammonites at Jabesh-gilead turned out to be a watershed in the reign of Saul. A lagging kingdom was renewed and the citizens became much more enthusiastically responsive. From all these things one might gather that, though the clamor for a king had been widespread and vociferous, it was far from unanimous. Saul had returned to his pastoral pursuits, with no indications, other than a small following, to assert his position as king.
Now all that was changed, and he had become suddenly immensely popular. His loyal followers wanted to execute those who had resisted him, and tried to involve Samuel in the move. But Saul showed the mark of a real man in refusing to allow any reprisal in his behalf. Indeed, Samuel himself again proposed the gathering to Gilgal to renew the kingdom, to give Saul a new -beginning. And so they met at Gilgal, and there made sacrifices of peace offerings to the Lord and anointed Saul once more to rule over Israel. This time it succeeded, and Saul appears to be convinced at last that. he can rule the people. All of the people rejoiced greatly in this turn of events. Saul here appears at his greatest, and nearer to the will of God, than at any other time of his career. He even acknowledged the Lord’s hand in the victory (verse 13).
This short chapter contains several good lessons: 1) God’s people, out of His will, will be assaulted by Satan, who will maim and cripple their testimony if they do not seek the Lord again; 2) others of God’s people should always stand ready to go to the aid of those who are weak; 3) God will always deliver those who call on Him before they are utterly cast down; 4) though the opportunity may arise it is never right for God’s people to take vengeance against those who have wronged them.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
The Kingship of Saul Renewed. 1Sa. 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 Sauls 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? 1Sa. 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 (Jos. 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 Gods hand.
13.
Why did they offer sacrifices at Gilgal? 1Sa. 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.
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(12) And the people said unto Samuel.The great weight and influence of the seer among the people is strikingly shown by this record of their turning to him, even in the first flush of this great victory of Sauls. It was Samuel to whom the people looked to bring to punishment the men who had dared to question the wisdom of electing Saul as king. It should be remembered, too, that the royal summons to Israel which accompanied the bloody war-signal of King Saul, ran in the joint names of Saul and Samuel. (See 1Sa. 11:7.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
THE REACTION IN FAVOUR OF SAUL, AND RENEWAL OF THE KINGDOM AT GILGAL, 1Sa 11:12-15.
The aged Samuel, whose name had gone forth with Saul’s call to arms, (1Sa 11:7,) was with the army at the time of Saul’s triumph over the Ammonites, and when he saw the mighty host all flushed with the glory of their triumph, and all with one accord extolling Saul, he deemed it a most appropriate time to establish the new king in all the powers and prerogatives of the government, and secure for him national recognition.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
12. Bring the men, that we may put them to death The reference is to the outspoken disloyalty that showed itself at Mizpeh. 1Sa 10:27. But the new king’s magnanimity and piety forbade the shedding of Israelitish blood on that day of victory.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
All Opposition To Saul’s Kingship Now Having Been Put To Shame, Saul Is Officially Crowned as King of Israel ( 1Sa 11:12-15 ).
The returning Saul arrived back in triumph and the vast majority of the people acknowledged that he had proved himself and determined to deal with the murmurers against him (1Sa 10:27) by putting them to death. This was the recognised way of dealing with obdurate opponents to a regime. But to his credit Saul would have none of it. Then with his position established Saul was officially confirmed as king at Gilgal.
1Sa 11:12
‘ And the people said to Samuel, “Who is he who said, Shall Saul reign over us? Bring the men, that we may put them to death.”’
The exuberant returning troops would now look on Saul with a new light. It was one thing to have a war-leader appointed by lot, it was quite another when you have followed him into battle and been hugely victorious. None of them doubted him now. Thus they approached Samuel who would have been awaiting their return and called for all who opposed Saul to be put to death. In view of the fact that it was expected that they would have brought presents to the new king they were possibly mainly older men who through tribal loyalty could not bear the thought of being ruled over by a Benjaminite.
1Sa 11:13
‘ And Saul said, “There shall not a man be put to death this day, for today YHWH has wrought deliverance in Israel.”
To his great credit Saul stepped in and forbade it. This was not a a day for slaying Israelites, it was a day for rejoicing, for on this day YHWH had wrought deliverance for Israel. We should note in view of what follows that in these early days Saul was revealed as someone totally worthy of the kingship. The initial choice was shown to be a good one.
1Sa 11:14
‘ Then said Samuel to the people, “Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingship there.” ’
Meanwhile Samuel saw the opportunity to finally seal the kingship question. With all the tribes gathered together (probably moreso than at Mizpah earlier in the nature of the circumstances of a general levy), and with them all in agreement, he suggested that all repair to the Sanctuary at Gilgal in order to renew the kingship. Some see this as indicating the renewal of the Kingship of YHWH, others see it as referring to the finalisation of Saul’s coronation. Both may be included for it is then said that Saul was ‘made king before YHWH’.
1Sa 11:15
‘ And all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before YHWH in Gilgal, and there they offered sacrifices of peace-offerings before YHWH, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.’
It is interesting that no mention is made of Samuel being at Gilgal with the people, nor of him offering a burnt-offering, or indeed any offering (contrast 1Sa 7:6-9), nor of him being involved in the ceremony. (LXX in fact recognises this and amends the text). It seems inconceivable if Samuel was there initially that there was no burnt-offering, and that if he was there his part in the ceremony was not described. It is true that at some stage he must have arrived, but it may well be that he waited seven days, as he had previously said to Saul (1Sa 10:8), in order to avoid being directly involved in the ‘renewal of the kingship’. It is quite possible that he felt that he had already done his part in authenticating Saul and now wanted to leave it to the people (he was not very enamoured of the kingship anyway), only arriving in order to finalise the situation. The writer may well have expected us to remember 10:8 and see his words in that light.
Thus it is very possible that Samuel was not present at the celebrations and merely appeared at the end in order to finalise things with his farewell speech as Judge of Israel. He may well genuinely have felt that his time for acting as Judge had passed and that the renewal of Saul’s confirmation as king was best left out of his own hands and in the hands of ‘all the people” and of the priests at Gilgal. This would explain why he deliberately delayed until the seventh day, at which point he would arrive to give Saul his final instructions from his standpoint as a prophet (1Sa 10:8) and make his final farewell speech as Judge. This would indicate that he was acknowledging publicly that his time for interfering in the question of rule over Israel had passed and that now it was between Saul and the people. We must remember that being an old man it would take him some time to get to Gilgal, and the people in their enthusiasm would not necessarily have waited for him, which would explain why no burnt-offering is mentioned, simply because one was not offered until he did finally arrive.
The making of Saul as king ‘before YHWH’ again suggests that Gilgal was being seen as the Central Sanctuary, and the offering of sacrifices of peace-offerings in celebration and thanksgiving for their victory would be by the priests at Gilgal. It was a time of festival and rejoicing, but not one of the regular festivals. Once Samuel arrived he would no doubt take it on himself as the adopted son of Eli to offer burnt-offerings, an important type of dedicatory offering not mentioned above, but described in 10:8 and therefore assumed here on that basis. There appears at this stage still to have been no acceptable candidate for the High Priesthood. Such a candidate will appear in 1Sa 14:3.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
1Sa 11:12. And the people said unto Samuel We have here a fine picture of the capricious disposition of the common people, and of the prodigious alteration which great success makes in their affections. The moderation of Saul, 1Sa 11:13 deserves as much praise, as their precipitate thirst for revenge deserves condemnation.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
(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.
The zeal of the Israelites for Saul, after so complete a victory, is not to be wondered at. They would have sacrificed, no doubt, anything at the moment, to show their loyalty. But we do not hear a word of ascribing the work to the Lord. Alas! what an everlasting backwardness there is in our nature, to do this!
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
1Sa 11:12 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.
Ver. 12. Who is he that said? ] Saul’s prudence and diligence crowned with so good success, had made him many friends. Those of Jabeshgilead showed their thankfulness many years after. 1Sa 31:11-12
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Who is he: 1Sa 10:27, Psa 21:8, Luk 19:27
Reciprocal: Jos 1:18 – that doth rebel Jdg 11:5 – to fetch
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Sa 11:12-13. The people said unto Samuel Who, it appears from hence, accompanied Saul in this expedition, to encourage him with hopes of good success. Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day Saul had prudently dissembled his knowledge of their despising him before the kingdom was confirmed to him. But the moderation which he now manifested, after he had been so wonderfully victorious, argued still greater nobleness of mind, and benevolence, and mildness of disposition. For nothing is more glorious than to be humble and meek in the height of power.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
11:12 And the people said unto Samuel, {g} Who [is] he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death.
(g) By this victory the Lord won the hearts of the people to Saul.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
5. The confirmation of Saul as king 11:12-12:25
This victory helped the Israelites perceive Saul as their king, with the result that they committed themselves to him. Samuel therefore gave the people a solemn charge in view of the change in government.
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)
Israel’s commitment to Saul 11:12-15
Admirably, Saul sought no personal revenge on those who initially had failed to support him (1Sa 10:27; cf. Jdg 20:13; Luk 19:27). Furthermore he gave God the glory for his victory (cf. Jon 2:9; Psa 20:7; Pro 21:31). He was not self-serving at this time.
What Samuel called for was a ceremony to renew the Mosaic Covenant. [Note: Klaus Baltzer, The Covenant Formulary, pp. 66-68; William J. Dumbrell, Covenant and Creation, p. 135; and Lyle M. Eslinger, Kingship of God in Crisis, pp. 37, 383-428.] It was to be similar to those that had taken place in Joshua’s day (Joshua 8, 24), in which the nation would dedicate itself afresh to Yahweh and His Law as a nation (cf. Deuteronomy 29). As mentioned earlier, it is not clear whether Gilgal refers to the Gilgal near Jericho or another Gilgal a few miles north of Bethel. [Note: See my comments on 7:16.] A Gilgal north of Bethel would have been closer since most of the activities recorded in these first chapters of 1 Samuel (at Ramah, Gibeah, Mizpah, etc.) were all on the Benjamin plateau near Bethel. Yet the Gilgal near Jericho was the Israelites’ first camp after they entered the Promised Land, and the place where they first renewed the covenant in the land (Joshua 4-5). For this reason, that site would have stimulated the people’s remembrance of God’s faithfulness to them and His plans for them as a united nation. Hopefully further discoveries will enable us solve the puzzle of which Gilgal this was.
The people now gave united support to Saul as their king at Gilgal. This is the first of three significant meetings of Samuel and Saul at Gilgal. The second was the time Saul failed to wait for the prophet, offered a sacrifice prematurely, and received the prophet’s rebuke (1Sa 13:7-14). The third meeting was when God rejected Saul as king for his disobedient pride following his victory over the Amalekites (1Sa 15:10-26).
Peace offerings expressed thanks to God for His goodness. This offering also emphasized the unity of the participants in the sacrifice (Leviticus 3).
"Saul’s ascent to the throne was now complete, and the ’great celebration’ that accompanied the sacrificial ritual more than matched Israel’s earlier elation upon their receiving the messengers’ report of the imminent doom of the Ammonites (1Sa 11:9)." [Note: Youngblood, p. 642.]
In this incident Israel faced a very threatening situation physically and spiritually. The people’s reaction was to weep (1Sa 11:4). God went into action because He had made promises to protect His people (cf. Heb 13:5-6). He provided deliverance when His people thought there was no hope. The result was that God’s people rededicated themselves to following the Lord faithfully. Their weeping gave way to rejoicing.
In this incident we also see Saul humble and hardworking (1Sa 11:5). God’s Spirit empowered him (1Sa 11:6), and gave him wisdom (1Sa 11:7-8) and victory (1Sa 11:11). Saul gave God the glory for his success, and he was merciful and forgiving toward his critics (1Sa 11:13). God also gave him favor in the eyes of His people (1Sa 11:15; cf. 1Sa 2:30; Pro 16:7).