But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you only on the condition(A) that I gouge(B) out the right eye of every one of you and so bring disgrace(C) on all Israel.”

The elders(D) of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days so we can send messengers throughout Israel; if no one comes to rescue(E) us, we will surrender(F) to you.”

When the messengers came to Gibeah(G) of Saul and reported these terms to the people, they all wept(H) aloud. Just then Saul was returning from the fields, behind his oxen, and he asked, “What is wrong with everyone? Why are they weeping?” Then they repeated to him what the men of Jabesh had said.

When Saul heard their words, the Spirit(I) of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger. He took a pair of oxen,(J) cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel,(K) proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone(L) who does not follow Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out together as one.(M) When Saul mustered(N) them at Bezek,(O) the men of Israel numbered three hundred thousand and those of Judah thirty thousand.

They told the messengers who had come, “Say to the men of Jabesh Gilead, ‘By the time the sun is hot tomorrow, you will be rescued.’” When the messengers went and reported this to the men of Jabesh, they were elated.

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And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.

And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days' respite, that we may send messengers unto all the coasts of Israel: and then, if there be no man to save us, we will come out to thee.

Then came the messengers to Gibeah of Saul, and told the tidings in the ears of the people: and all the people lifted up their voices, and wept.

And, behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field; and Saul said, What aileth the people that they weep? And they told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh.

And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.

And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out with one consent.

And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.

And they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall ye say unto the men of Jabeshgilead, To morrow, by that time the sun be hot, ye shall have help. And the messengers came and shewed it to the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.

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