⁷ he became angry^(A) with them. He sold them^(B) into the hands of the Philistines and the Ammonites, ⁸ who that year shattered and crushed them. For eighteen years they oppressed all the Israelites on the east side of the Jordan in Gilead,^(C) the land of the Amorites. ⁹ The Ammonites also crossed the Jordan to fight against Judah,^(D) Benjamin and Ephraim;^(E) Israel was in great distress. ¹⁰ Then the Israelites cried^(F) out to the Lord, “We have sinned^(G) against you, forsaking our God and serving the Baals.”^(H)

¹¹ The Lord replied, “When the Egyptians,^(I) the Amorites,^(J) the Ammonites,^(K) the Philistines,^{(L) 12} the Sidonians, the Amalekites^(M) and the Maonites^[a](N) oppressed you^(O) and you cried to me for help, did I not save you from their hands? ¹³ But you have forsaken^(P) me and served other gods,^(Q) so I will no longer save you. ¹⁴ Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save^(R) you when you are in trouble!^(S)”

¹⁵ But the Israelites said to the Lord, “We have sinned. Do with us whatever you think best,^(T) but please rescue us now.” ¹⁶ Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the Lord.^(U) And he could bear Israel’s misery^(V) no longer.^(W)

¹⁷ When the Ammonites were called to arms and camped in Gilead, the Israelites assembled and camped at Mizpah.^{(X) 18} The leaders of the people of Gilead said to each other, “Whoever will take the lead in attacking the Ammonites will be head^(Y) over all who live in Gilead.”

³² Then Jephthah went over to fight the Ammonites, and the Lord gave them into his hands.

³³ He devastated twenty towns from Aroer to the vicinity of Minnith,^(A) as far as Abel Keramim. Thus Israel subdued Ammon.

Jephthah and Ephraim

12 The Ephraimite forces were called out, and they crossed over to Zaphon.^(A) They said to Jephthah,^(B) “Why did you go to fight the Ammonites without calling us to go with you?^(C) We’re going to burn down your house over your head.”

² Jephthah answered, “I and my people were engaged in a great struggle with the Ammonites, and although I called, you didn’t save me out of their hands. ³ When I saw that you wouldn’t help, I took my life in my hands^(D) and crossed over to fight the Ammonites, and the Lord gave me the victory^(E) over them. Now why have you come up today to fight me?”

Saul Rescues the City of Jabesh

11 Nahash^[a](A) the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh Gilead.^(B) And all the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty^(C) with us, and we will be subject to you.”

² But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you only on the condition^(D) that I gouge^(E) out the right eye of every one of you and so bring disgrace^(F) on all Israel.”

³ The elders^(G) of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days so we can send messengers throughout Israel; if no one comes to rescue^(H) us, we will surrender^(I) to you.”

⁴ When the messengers came to Gibeah^(J) of Saul and reported these terms to the people, they all wept^(K) aloud. ⁵ 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.

⁶ When Saul heard their words, the Spirit^(L) of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger. ⁷ He took a pair of oxen,^(M) cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel,^(N) proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone^(O) who does not follow Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out together as one.^{(P) 8} When Saul mustered^(Q) them at Bezek,^(R) the men of Israel numbered three hundred thousand and those of Judah thirty thousand.

⁹ 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. ¹⁰ They said to the Ammonites, “Tomorrow we will surrender^(S) to you, and you can do to us whatever you like.”

¹¹ The next day Saul separated his men into three divisions;^(T) during the last watch of the night they broke into the camp of the Ammonites^(U) and slaughtered them until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

Saul Confirmed as King

¹² The people then said to Samuel, “Who^(V) was it that asked, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Turn these men over to us so that we may put them to death.”

¹³ But Saul said, “No one will be put to death today,^(W) for this day the Lord has rescued^(X) Israel.”

¹⁴ Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal^(Y) and there renew the kingship.^(Z)” ¹⁵ So all the people went to Gilgal^(AA) and made Saul king^(AB) in the presence of the Lord. There they sacrificed fellowship offerings before the Lord, and Saul and all the Israelites held a great celebration.