Soon Nahash the Ammonite came up and laid siege to Jabesh-gilead. ... All the men of Jabesh said to him , “ Make a treaty and we will serve you.”
But Nahash the Ammonite replied , ... “ I will make (a treaty) on one (condition) , that I may put out everyone’s right eye and bring reproach upon all Israel.”
“ Hold off seven days , ” replied - the elders of Jabesh , “ and let us send messengers throughout - Israel. If (there is) no one to save us , we will surrender to you.”
When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and relayed these words in the hearing of the people , they all ... - wept aloud ....
Just then Saul was returning from the field , behind his oxen. “ What (troubles) the people ? ” asked Saul. “ Why are they weeping ? ” And they relayed - the words of the men from Jabesh.
When Saul heard - their words , the Spirit of God rushed upon him , and he burned with great anger ... ....
He took a pair of oxen , cut them into pieces , and sent (them) by messengers throughout the land of Israel , proclaiming , “ This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not march behind Saul ... and Samuel.” Then the terror of the LORD fell upon the people , and they turned out as one man.
And when (Saul) numbered them at Bezek , there were 300,000 {} ... ... Israelites ... and 30,000 ... men of Judah.
So they said to the messengers who had come , “ Tell - the men of Jabesh-gilead : ... ‘ Deliverance will be tomorrow by the time the sun ... is hot. ’” And when the messengers relayed (this) to the men of Jabesh , they rejoiced.
Then the men of Jabesh said (to Nahash) , “ Tomorrow we will come out , ... and you can do whatever seems good to you.”
- The next day Saul - organized the troops into three divisions , and during the morning watch they invaded ... the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them , - until the hottest part of the day. And the survivors were so scattered that no two were left together.
Then the people said to Samuel , “ Who said that Saul should not reign over us ? Bring those men here so we can kill them !”
But Saul ordered , “ No one shall be put to death this day , for today the LORD has worked salvation in Israel.”
Then Samuel said to the people , “ Come , let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingship there.”
So all the people went to Gilgal (and) - confirmed Saul as king in the presence of the LORD .... There they sacrificed peace offerings - before the LORD , and Saul and all vvv the Israelites rejoiced ... greatly ....