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0 Just another God-inspired body part message (1 Sam 11-12)

Episode 105: Just another God-inspired body part message

1 Samuel 11-12

The men of Jabesh make a deal with the Ammonites

11 1 The men of Jabesh-gilead said to the leader of the Ammonites (Nahash),

We will serve you if you make a deal with us.

2 Nahash answered,

Okay, I'll make a deal with you, if I can thrust out all of your right eyes.

3 The elders of Jabesh replied,

Give us seven days to find someone who can save us.

If we can't find anyone, you can thrust out our eyes.

4 Some of the messengers came to Saul. And all the people cried.

Saul chops up some oxen (and sends the pieces to the twelve tribes of Israel)

6-7 The Spirit of God came upon Saul, and he took two oxen and hacked them into pieces, sending the pieces throughout Israel, with this message:

Whoever doesn't come to Saul and Samuel will have this happen to their oxen.

And the fear of the Lord fell on all the people.

8 And everyone came to Saul -- 300,000 from Israel, 30,000 from Judah.

9 So Saul sent messengers to Jabesh-gilead, saying, "We we’ll help you tomorrow."

10 And the men of Jabesh told Nahash, "Tomorrow you can poke out our eyes."

Saul and 330,000 Israelites slaughter the Ammonites

11 The next day, Saul and his army of 330,000 killed Ammonites until the heat of the day.

When Saul was finished, all the Ammonites were dead.

12 The people said to Samuel, "Let's kill whoever didn't want Saul to be king."

13 But Saul said, "No one else will die today. Today God has saved Israel."

14 Saul said to the people, "Let's go to Gilgal and renew the kingdom there."

15 So all of the Israelites went to Gilgal and made Saul king (again).

Then they rejoiced and sacrificed some animals.

Samuel and God make it thunder and rain

12 1-3 Samuel spoke to everyone in Israel, saying:

I did what you asked me to do and made a king for you.

Now that I'm old and gray, I have one question for you:

Have I ever done anything wrong to any of you?

4 Everyone in Israel answers him:

No, you've never done anything wrong to us.

16 Then Samuel said to the people,

Stand back and watch what God is going to do.

17 I'll call God and he'll send thunder and rain -- so you can see how wicked it was for you to ask for a king.

18 And God sent thunder and rain. And all the people feared Samuel and God.

19 They said to Samuel, "Ask God not to kill us for asking him for a king."

20-22 Samuel said to them,

Don't be afraid. You’ve been wicked, but God won't kill you because you are his people.

25 But if you’re wicked again, God will kill you and your king.

A few more words about this episode

The Spirit of God came upon Saul, and he took two oxen and hacked them into pieces (11:6-7)
Only God could think this was a good idea. But I guess he was inspired by the Levite's message in Judges 19:29 (Episode 98).
When Saul was finished, all the Ammonites were dead. (11:11)
Drunk with Blood: Another Ammonite massacre (and another God-inspired body part message)
Samuel spoke to everyone in Israel (12:1)
I left out most of Samuel's boring speech (1 Samuel 12:5-15)
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