1 Samuel

1 Samuel 11: The LORD rescues His people

Begin in prayer

Before we read how Saul rescued the people of Jabesh Gilead, and how the LORD won the victory that day, let us come before Him together. Ask Him to rescue our hearts from fear, and to show us Jesus.

Give us help against the adversary, for the help of man is vain.

Psalm 60:11

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You rescue Your people, and that the victory is Yours. Help us to trust Jesus. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Nahash the Ammonite threatened the people of Jabesh Gilead with a cruel condition, and the men asked for seven days. When Saul heard the news, the Spirit of God came mightily on him. He cut a yoke of oxen in pieces and sent them through Israel as a call to war. The dread of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out together as one man. Saul divided his men into three companies, and in the morning they struck the Ammonites until the heat of the day. The people wanted to put to death those who had doubted Saul, but he said that the LORD had rescued Israel that day. Then the people made Saul king at Gilgal before the LORD.

As you read 1 Samuel 11, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD rescues His people, and the victory is His.

Nahash the Ammonite camped against Jabesh Gilead, and the men of the town offered to serve him (verse 1). Nahash set a cruel and shameful condition, so the elders asked for seven days to send for help (verses 2 and 3). The messengers came to Gibeah, where Saul was coming home from the field behind his oxen (verses 4 and 5). The Spirit of God came mightily on him. He sent pieces of a yoke of oxen through Israel as a warning (verses 6 and 7). The text says the dread of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out as one man (verse 7). That dread brought three hundred thousand men of Israel and thirty thousand of Judah (verse 8). By the heat of the next day the Ammonites were scattered (verse 11). Saul spared the men who had despised him and gave the credit to the LORD (verses 12 and 13).

How does 1 Samuel 11 show us that the LORD rescues His people, and that the victory is His?

The Spirit of God came on Saul.

Saul was coming home behind his oxen when he heard the people weeping over the news from Jabesh (verses 4 and 5). Then the Spirit of God came mightily on him, and his anger burned hot (verse 6). He cut a yoke of oxen in pieces and sent them through Israel with a warning (verse 7). The courage to call Israel out was given by God's Spirit.

The LORD rescues His people from their enemies.

The dread of the LORD fell on Israel, and the men came out together (verse 7). At Bezek they numbered three hundred thousand men of Israel and thirty thousand of Judah (verse 8). Saul told the messengers that Jabesh would be rescued tomorrow when the sun was hot (verse 9). In the morning Saul's three companies struck the Ammonites until the heat of the day (verse 11).

Saul sees that the LORD has won the victory.

Some wanted to put to death the men who had despised Saul, but Saul would not allow it (verses 12 and 13). He said the LORD had rescued Israel that day, and he gave the credit to the LORD (verse 13). At Gilgal the people made Saul king before the LORD and offered peace offerings (verse 15). Jesus brings His people out of the power of darkness (Colossians 1 verse 13).

Memorise

No man shall be put to death today; for today Yahweh has rescued Israel.

1 Samuel 11:13

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, who do I trust to rescue me, and have I come to Jesus for help?

Saul said, “No man shall be put to death today; for today Yahweh has rescued Israel.” The Ammonites were scattered, and the people of Jabesh were saved.

Our trouble is deeper than any enemy at our gates. We are under the power of sin and darkness, and we cannot rescue ourselves. Jesus came to rescue us. At the cross He took the death that sinners deserved, and God raised Him from the dead. He broke the hold of sin and death, and the victory is His and cannot be undone.

Today He calls you out of sin and darkness. Turn from your sin, and trust Jesus to rescue you. He forgives and saves everyone who calls on Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD rescues His people from their enemies. Parents, you may want to explain verses 2 and 7 in your own words. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He rescues His people, and that the victory is His, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

He will call on me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will deliver him, and honor him.

Psalm 91:15

Father, thank You that You rescue Your people and that the victory is Yours. Thank You for Jesus, who was given the Spirit without measure and came to rescue sinners. Turn us from our sin, and teach us to call on You in our need. Help us to trust You this week. Amen.