1 Samuel 11:10 depicts a tactical surrender that prepared the way for King Saul’s victorious deliverance of Jabesh.
Then the men of Jabesh said, “Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you may do to us whatever seems good to you.” (v.10) In this moment, the people of Jabesh—whose city lay east of the Jordan River in the region of Gilead—appear to surrender themselves to the Ammonites. Gilead, where Jabesh was located, sat in the northern portion of what is now modern-day Jordan, making it a vulnerable outpost in ancient Israel’s early monarchy. This statement from the men of Jabesh was in fact a strategic ploy to delay their enemy, Nahash the Ammonite, while they awaited rescue. Historically, this episode occurs around the time King Saul (circa 1050 - 1010 BC) had just been anointed Israel’s first king, giving him the opportunity to demonstrate God’s power through his leadership.
This verse demonstrates the resourcefulness of the men of Jabesh under mortal threat. By pledging to “come out” the next day, they lulled Nahash into a sense of assurance and set the stage for Saul’s successful surprise assault that liberated the city (1 Samuel 11:11). Through their words, the men revealed a dependence on divine deliverance, since it was God who had led Israel to establish a king who would defend them against hostile neighbors. The newly crowned ruler, Saul, rallied Israel’s tribes, empowered by the Spirit of God, to protect Jabesh from looming disaster.
Their plea and promise highlight how quickly God’s people can move from desperation to salvation when they place their hope in God’s plan. Later, such acts of rescue point ahead to the even greater deliverance Jesus would bring, reminding believers that God leads His people from apparent hopelessness to victory (Romans 8:37). As with the men of Jabesh, those who trust God can discover that surrendering to His governance leads to real rescue and restoration.
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1 Samuel 11:10 meaning
Then the men of Jabesh said, “Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you may do to us whatever seems good to you.” (v.10) In this moment, the people of Jabesh—whose city lay east of the Jordan River in the region of Gilead—appear to surrender themselves to the Ammonites. Gilead, where Jabesh was located, sat in the northern portion of what is now modern-day Jordan, making it a vulnerable outpost in ancient Israel’s early monarchy. This statement from the men of Jabesh was in fact a strategic ploy to delay their enemy, Nahash the Ammonite, while they awaited rescue. Historically, this episode occurs around the time King Saul (circa 1050 - 1010 BC) had just been anointed Israel’s first king, giving him the opportunity to demonstrate God’s power through his leadership.
This verse demonstrates the resourcefulness of the men of Jabesh under mortal threat. By pledging to “come out” the next day, they lulled Nahash into a sense of assurance and set the stage for Saul’s successful surprise assault that liberated the city (1 Samuel 11:11). Through their words, the men revealed a dependence on divine deliverance, since it was God who had led Israel to establish a king who would defend them against hostile neighbors. The newly crowned ruler, Saul, rallied Israel’s tribes, empowered by the Spirit of God, to protect Jabesh from looming disaster.
Their plea and promise highlight how quickly God’s people can move from desperation to salvation when they place their hope in God’s plan. Later, such acts of rescue point ahead to the even greater deliverance Jesus would bring, reminding believers that God leads His people from apparent hopelessness to victory (Romans 8:37). As with the men of Jabesh, those who trust God can discover that surrendering to His governance leads to real rescue and restoration.