CHAPTER ELEVEN

The WBC and CEV add a paragraph to verse10: 27 based on ! and the "asoret#$ te%t& 'Nahash( )#ng o* the
A++on#tes( ,as oppress#ng the -ad#tes and Re.ben#tes severe/0( and he ,as bor#ng o.t ever0 r#ght e0e(
a//o,#ng no one to save 1srae/& There ,as no one /e*t a+ong the 1srae/#tes a$ross the 2ordan ,ho r#ght e0e
Nahash( )#ng o* the A++on#tes( had not bored o.t& 3even tho.sand +en had es$aped *ro+ the po,er o* the
A++on#tes( ho,ever( and had $o+e to 2abesh4g#/ead& Abo.t a +onth /ater( Nahash the A++on#te ,ent .p
and bes#eged 2abesh4g#/ead5 and a// the +en o* 2abesh sa#d to Nahash( '"a)e a treat0 ,#th .s( and ,e ,#//
serve 0o.&6
Th#s add#t#on #s *o.nd #n the "T( ,h#$h #s the Hebre, B#b/e( #n the a$$o.nt b0 2oseph.s 7h#s B#b/e had the
add#t#on8( and the 933 7! #s the +ost *.//0 preserved o* the b#b/#$a/ s$ro//s *ro+ !.+ran $ave 8
The add#t#ona/ #n*or+at#on $onta#ns va/.ab/e ba$)gro.nd and prov#des a he/p*./ rat#ona/e *or ,hat other,#se
#s an abr.pt and v#$#o.s threat b0 the A++on#te )#ng aga#nst the #nhab#tants o* 2abesh -#/ead& The 2abesh#tes
,ere g#v#ng a#d and $o+*ort to A++on:s an$estra/ ene+#es( the Re.ben#tes and -ad#tes( ,ho o$$.p#ed
terr#tor0 trad#t#ona//0 $/a#+ed b0 the A++on#tes5 there*ore the 2abesh#tes sho./d re$e#ve the sa+e harsh
treat+ent ear/#er +eted o.t to the Re.ben#tes and -ad#tes& 7EBC8
Ho, sho./d ,e v#e, th#s add#t#ona/ paragraph; 1s #t part o* 3$r#pt.re; The E%pos#tors B#b/e Co++entar0 b0
<ondervan sa0s( 'The ,#se $o.rse *or the present( there*ore( #s to reserve =.dg+ent on the stat.s o* these
add#t#ona/ /#nes #n !3a+a>6
2oseph.s: 'A?TER one +onth( the ,ar ,h#$h 3a./ had ,#th Nahash( the )#ng o* the A++on#tes( obta#ned
h#+ respe$t *ro+ a// the peop/e5 *or th#s Nahash had done a great dea/ o* +#s$h#e* to the 2e,s that /#ved
be0ond 2ordan b0 the e%ped#t#on he had +ade aga#nst the+ ,#th a great and ,ar/#)e ar+0& He a/so red.$ed
the#r $#t#es #nto s/aver0( and that not on/0 b0 s.bd.#ng the+ *or the present( ,h#$h he d#d b0 *or$e and
v#o/en$e( b.t b0 ,ea)en#ng the+ b0 s.bt/et0 and $.nn#ng( that the0 +#ght not be ab/e a*ter,ard to get $/ear
o* the s/aver0 the0 ,ere .nder to h#+5 *or he p.t o.t the r#ght e0es 7@8 o* those that e#ther de/#vered
the+se/ves to h#+ .pon ter+s( or ,ere ta)en b0 h#+ #n ,ar5 and th#s he d#d( that ,hen the#r /e*t e0es ,ere
$overed b0 the#r sh#e/ds( the0 +#ght be ,ho//0 .se/ess #n ,ar& No, ,hen the )#ng o* the A++on#tes had
served those be0ond 2ordan #n th#s +anner( he /ed h#s ar+0 aga#nst those that ,ere $a//ed -#/ead#tes( and
hav#ng p#t$hed h#s $a+p at the +etropo/#s o* h#s ene+#es( ,h#$h ,as the $#t0 o* 2abesh( he sent a+bassadors
to the+( $o++and#ng the+ e#ther to de/#ver the+se/ves .p( on $ond#t#on to have the#r r#ght e0es p/.$)ed o.t(
or to .ndergo a s#ege( and to have the#r $#t#es overthro,n& He gave the+ the#r $ho#$e( ,hether the0 ,o./d $.t
o** a s+a// +e+ber o* the#r bod0( or .n#versa//0 per#sh& Ho,ever( the -#/ead#tes ,ere so a**r#ghted at these
o**ers( that the0 had not $o.rage to sa0 an0 th#ng to e#ther o* the+( ne#ther that the0 ,o./d de/#ver
the+se/ves .p( nor that the0 ,o./d *#ght h#+& B.t the0 des#red that he ,o./d g#ve the+ seven da0s: resp#te(
that the0 +#ght send a+bassadors to the#r $o.ntr0+en( and entreat the#r ass#stan$e5 and #* the0 $a+e to ass#st
the+( the0 ,o./d *#ght5 b.t #* that ass#stan$e ,ere #+poss#b/e to be obta#ned *ro+ the+( the0 sa#d the0 ,o./d
de/#ver the+se/ves .p to s.**er ,hatever he p/eased to #n*/#$t .pon the+&6
1
Sequence of Events
1& Nahash the A++on#te atta$)s Re.ben and -ad& 13a+& 11: pro/og.e 12:12
2& A de/egat#on o* e/ders spea) to 3a+.e/ at Ra+ah sa0#ng that 1srae/ needs a )#ng& 13a+& A:1B@ 12:12
C& 3a+.e/ goes to -od abo.t th#s s#t.at#on and -od te//s 3a+.e/ that th#s #s a re=e$t#on o* H#+ and not o*
3a+.e/& -od te//s 3a+.e/ that to a$$ede to the ,#shes o* the peop/e& 13a+& A:10B21
& -od /eads 3a./ to the ho+e o* 3a+.e/& 3a+.e/ #s e%pe$t#ng h#+& The da0 that 3a./ arr#ves( he #s the
honored g.est and 3a+.e/ has severa/ ho.rs be*ore +ade preparat#ons *or 3a./Ds arr#va/( even tho.gh 3a./
and 3a+.e/ had never +et be*ore& 13a+& @
E& 3a./ #s ano#nted )#ng b0 3a+.e/ the ne%t +orn#ng #n a pr#vate $ere+on0 be*ore -od& 3a+.e/ a/so
prophes#es ,hat ,#// happen #n 3a+.e/Ds /#*e over the ne%t *e, 0ears( ,#th events ,h#$h $o+e to pass that
ver0 da0& 13a+& 10:1B1F
F& 3a./ #s p.b/#$a//0 $hosen b0 -od as )#ng at "#Gpah& We +a0 ass.+e that a// the ,h#/e( Nahash #s
$onH.er#ng +ore and +ore o* eastern 1srae/& A*ter the se/e$t#on $ere+on0( 3a./ s#+p/0 goes ho+e to
$ont#n.e *ar+#ng h#s *a+#/0Ds /and& 13a+& 10:17B27 11:E
7& Abo.t a +onth a*ter the p.b/#$ se/e$t#on $ere+on0 o* 3a./( the s.rv#v#ng +en o* -ad and Re.ben es$ape
to 2abesh4g#/ead& Th#s #s ,here ,e p#$) .p o.r stor0&
CHAPTER ELEVEN
11:1
Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged abesh !i"ead# And a"" the men of abesh said to him$
%&a'e a t(eat) with us$ and we wi"" be sub*ect to )ou#%
The add#t#ona/ +ater#a/ #nd#$ates *ro+ the 933 and the "T te// .s that Nahash has atta$)ed +ost o* -ad and
Re.ben and that the s.rv#v#ng +a/es *#nd the+se/ves #n the $#t0 o* 2abesh4g#/ead( ,h#$h appears to be the /ast
ho/d o.t *or the eastern 1srae/#s& The A++on#tes had *or a /ong t#+e $/a#+ed possess#on o* -#/ead& 7PHC8
Apparent/0 Nahash has no *ear the 2e,s res#st#ng h#+& The0 donDt have a stand#ng ar+0 and as *ar as he
)ne,( the0 d#dnDt have a $entra/#Ged govern+ent that $o./d respond to an atta$)&
We $anDt be $erta#n e%a$t/0 ,here the $#t0 #s /o$ated( b.t #t #s probab/0 /o$ated on the east s#de o* the 2ordan(
abo.t 20 +#/es so.th o* the 3ea o* -a/#/ee& 7WBC8
Nahash /#t& sna)e or probab/0 I-ood L.$)&6 The na+e +a0 have been the t#t/e o* A++on#te )#ngs& We ,#//
hear +ore abo.t Nahash #n the *.t.re5 *.rther+ore( ,e ,#// see a good re/at#onsh#p bet,een h#+se/* 7or a
des$endant o* h#s8 and J#ng 9av#d& 7see 2 3a+& 10:2 17:2EB27( 1Chron& 2:1FB17 1@:18&
Nahash #s /#)e 3atan ,ho #s a/,a0s tr0#ng to )#// or render #ne**e$t#ve be/#evers&
The A++on#tes ,ere des$endants o* Lot:s son Ben4A++# 7-en 1@:CF4CA8& The0 o*ten en$roa$hed on
1srae/#te terr#tor0 72.dg C:1C5 10:F4@5 11:8& The#r be//#geren$e aga#nst 2abesh -#/ead 7I9r0 K3o#/L o* -#/eadI8
#n the da0s o* 3a./ ,as not .ne%pe$ted& The A++on#tes ,o./d harass 1srae/ on her eastern border as the
Ph#/#st#nes harassed on the ,estern border& 7-B8
we wi"" be sub*ect to )ou "ean#ng ,e ,#// be 0o.r s/aves5 or The peop/e ,ho /#ved there to/d Nahash( '1*
0o. ,#// s#gn a pea$e treat0 ,#th .s( 0o. $an be o.r r./er( and ,e ,#// pa0 ta%es to 0o.&6 7CEV8
2
+ut Nahash the Ammonite (ep"ied$ %, wi"" ma'e a t(eat) with )ou on") on the condition that , gouge
out the (ight e)e of eve() one of )ou and so b(ing disg(ace on a"" ,s(ae"#%
2
Th#s rep/0 #s revenge *or past reproa$hes( poss#b/0 a prev#o.s rebe//#on& 1n the an$#ent Near East( the ph0s#$a/
+.t#/at#on( d#s+e+ber+ent( or death o* an an#+a/ or h.+an v#$t#+ $o./d be e%pe$ted as the #nev#tab/e
pena/t0 *or treat0 v#o/at#on& Nahash not on/0 ,ants to ens/ave the+( he a/so ,ants to ens.re there #s not a
rebe//#on( to tea$h the 2e,s a /esson&
2oseph.s ,r#tes that the /e*t e0e ,o./d be $overed b0 a sh#e/d and the r#ght e0e ,o./d be .sed to *#ght( so
th#s p.n#sh+ent ,o./d be *or so/d#ers to render the+ .se/ess& Th#s a/so +a)es the+ .se/ess as ar$hers( and(
#n batt/e( the 1srae/#tes ,o./d have no depth per$ept#on( +a)#ng the+ eas0 pre0 as ,e//& The +a#n reason(
ho,ever( ,as to d#sgra$e 1srae/&
and so b(ing disg(ace on a"" ,s(ae" The 1srae/#tes de$#s#ve/0 de*eated the A++on#tes #n 2.dges 11:CC(
#n*/#$t#ng a 'ver0 great s/a.ghter6 .pon the+& The de*eat o* 2abesh -#/ead ,o./d br#ng d#sgra$e .pon a// o*
1srae/&
C
The e"de(s of abesh said to him$ %!ive us seven da)s so we can send messenge(s th(oughout ,s(ae"-
if no one comes to (escue us$ we wi"" su((ende( to )ou#%
The e"de(s of abesh said to him The0 'begged h#+&6 7WBC8
if no one comes to (escue us Mr '#* no one $o+es to save .s&6 7J2( WBC( CEV8 Not#$e there #s no t.rn#ng to
the Lord *or he/p& The peop/e are st#// #n sp#r#t.a/ apostas0&
Wh0 ,o./d Nahash agree to s.$h a proposa/;
JN9 sa0 #tDs be$a.se he needed +ore t#+e to prepare h#s +en&
He sa, the $#t0 so ,ea) that #t ,o./dnDt h.rt h#+ to ,a#t& 7CBC8
He d#dnDt th#n) the 1srae/#tes $o./d a$$o+p/#sh an0th#ng #n one ,ee)&
HeDs an ego+an#a$ ,ho th#n)s heDs #nv#n$#b/e&
He ,ants the+ to s.rrender rather than a *#ght&
He ,ants to see h#s na+e spread thro.gho.t 1srae/&
The e/ders a/so ,anted +ore t#+e& The +essengers ,ere not sent d#re$t/0 to 3a./( the )#ng( b.t thro.gho.t
the /and& Th#s see+s to po#nt to do.bts abo.t 3a./Ds ab#/#t0 to /ead& The +essage ,as sent to the var#o.s
tr#bes o* 1srae/( poss#b/0 to on/0 the tr#bes #n the area& There ,as no nat#ona/ ar+0( b.t there ,as probab/0 an
aggress#on pa$) a+ong the+ to he/p ea$h other&
'1t #s not $/ear ho, +an0 +essengers ,ere sent o.t or ,hether severa/ sets ,ere sent o.t s#+./taneo.s/0&
The +ost /og#$a/ p/a$e *or these +essengers to go ,o./d be to the terr#tor0 o* Ben=a+#n *#rst& ?#rst o* a//( #t
,as $/osest& 3e$ond/0( there ,ere $/ose t#es to the terr#tor0 and tr#be o* Ben=a+#n b0 +arr#age 7see
2.dges 20:12B18& 1n *a$t( there ,as so+e,hat o* an .n.s.a/ h#stor0 bet,een the tr#be o* Ben=a+#n and the
peop/e o* 2abesh4g#/ead& 7J.)#s8

.hen the messenge(s came to !ibeah of Sau" and (epo(ted these te(ms to the peop"e$ the) a"" wept
a"oud#
!ibeah of Sau" Th#s to,n #s $/ose to 2abesh -#/ead& At the t#+e the to,n ,as )no, as s#+p/0 -#beah5 the
3a./ be#ng added /ater&
The +essengers probab/0 ,ent to an area b0 the gate o* the $#t0( the $#t0 sH.are( and de/#vered the#r +essage&
C
the) a"" wept a"oud Th#s ,eep#ng #s a $o++on 1srae/#te d#sp/a0 o* he/p/essness( gr#e*( d#stress( or re+orse
7$*& 2.dg 2:5 1 3a+ 2:1F5 2 3a+ C:C25 1C:CF8& The peop/e *e// apart& Th#s #s e%a$t/0 ,hat Nahash ,anted&
Apparent/0 3a./:s *e//o, $#t#Gens #n h#s o,n ho+eto,n d#dnDt th#n) +.$h o* h#s /eadersh#p ab#/#t#es& And
3a./ #s a re/.$tant )#ng& As the *#rst )#ng( 1 s.spe$t 3a./ ,ent ho+e to +.// over h#s respons#b#/#t#es as he
p/o,ed h#s *#e/d& 1t #s a/so poss#b/e that the $#t0 d#dnDt )no, that 3a./ ,as the#r *#rst )#ng& Word trave/ed
s/o,/0 #n those da0s&
E
ust then Sau" was (etu(ning f(om the fie"ds$ behind his o/en$ and he as'ed$ %.hat is w(ong with the
peop"e0 .h) a(e the) weeping0% Then the) (epeated to him what the men of abesh had said#
3a./ apparent/0 d#dnDt ret.rn to the $#t0 a*ter h#s e/e$t#on as )#ng( b.t ,ent ba$) to h#s *ar+& 1D+ not s.re he
st#// doesnDt be/#eve he ,as +ade )#ng& Mr +a0be heDs tr0#ng to *#n#sh so+e /ast $hores& He #s not *.n$t#on#ng
as a )#ng even tho.ght that #s h#s pos#t#on& 3o+e $o++entar#es sa0 3a./ #s do#ng ,hat he sho./d be do#ng(
,a#t#ng on the Lord5 others sa0 3a./ #s #n$apab/e o* be#ng a )#ng& 1 ,o./d sa0 he #s st#// *#//ed ,#th the 3p#r#t(
10:F( 10
%.hat is w(ong with the peop"e0 .h) a(e the) weeping0% 1n the Hebre, these ,ords ,ere spo)en *.//
o* e+ot#on&
Then the) (epeated to him what the men of abesh had said The0 d#dnDt sa0( J#ng 3a./( /ead .s #nto
batt/e& Co++entators see+ to agree that 3a./ ',as not he/d #n +.$h estee+ #n h#s nat#ve $#t0&6 7PHC8
3hort/0 a*ter be$o+#ng )#ng( 3a./ #s g#ven the opport.n#t0 to prove h#s ab#/#t0& -od ,#// prov#de *or the
ded#$ated +an an o$$as#on to prove h#+se/*&
F
.hen Sau" hea(d thei( wo(ds$ the Spi(it of !od came upon him in powe($ and he bu(ned with ange(#
The Ho/0 3p#r#t #n 3a./ energ#Ged h#+ to be a great +#/#tar0 /eader& As 1 sa#d ear/#er( #t see+s 3a./Ds servant
,o./d have +ade a better )#ng than 3a./& Th#s #s god/0 anger( Ho/0 3p#r#t anger( not *or a persona/ o**ense
b.t the o**ense to 1srae/ and the Lord&
7
He too' a pai( of o/en$ cut them into pieces$ and sent the pieces b) messenge(s th(oughout ,s(ae"$
p(oc"aiming$ %This is what wi"" be done to the o/en of an)one who does not fo""ow Sau" and Samue"#%
Then the te((o( of the L1R2 fe"" on the peop"e$ and the) tu(ned out as one man#
He too' a pai( of o/en$ cut them into pieces He probab/0 too) h#s o%en( ver0 va/.ab/e an#+a/s& Contrast
th#s p#$t.re o* 3a./ /oo)#ng *or +#ss#ng don)e0s( ,ander#ng aro.nd( not as de$#s#ve as h#s servant( ,ho too)
$harge o* the s#t.at#on and s.ggested the0 v#s#t 3a+.e/& The Ho/0 3p#r#t g#ves po,er and ,#sdo+& The
$.tt#ng .p the o%en #s ver0 s#+#/ar to the d#s+e+ber+ent o* the Lev#te:s $on$.b#ne and the d#spos#t#on o* the
parts #n 2.dges 1@:2@& 1t too) t#+e *or +en to respond to a $a// to ar+s& "en had to be $onta$ted( /eave the#r
*ar+s( and go to a des#gnated p/a$e& 3a./ #s te//#ng ever0one to $o+e #++ed#ate/0& Th#s #s a not too s.bt/e
thread to an0 tr#be not send#ng +en to the batt/e and not to sent the+ r#ght a,a0&
th(oughout ,s(ae" 3a./ ,#se/0 sees th#s as an atta$) .pon a// o* 1srae/& The A++on#tes ,o./d not stop ,#th
2abesh -#/ead&

an)one who does not fo""ow Sau" and Samue" He re$ogn#Ges 3a+.e/Ds a.thor#t0& 3a+.e/ has been =.dge
*or at /east 0 and +a0be as +an0 as F0 0ears( so he #s st#// re$ogn#Ged as s.$h& 1t see+s 3a+.e/( as -odDs
+an on earth( ,#// be ,#th the ar+0 #n the batt/e&
the) tu(ned out as one man The tr#bes ,ere .n#ted& The +en o* 2abesh4-#/ead had ear/#er re*.sed to honor
the#r tr#ba/ ob/#gat#ons at "#Gpah 72.dg 21:A8 *or ,h#$h the0 ,ere severe/0 p.n#shed& Probab/0 ever0 to,n
sent +essengers to other to,ns&
Then the te((o( of the L1R2 fe"" on the peop"e 'The peop/e d#s$erned the po,er o* 2ehovah( ,h#$h
#nsp#red the+ ,#th *ear( and #+pe//ed the+ to #++ed#ate obed#en$e&I 7<ondervan( JN98 Mr 'a,e at 9#v#ne
po,er(6 ,h#$h +ot#vated the+ to a$t& WeDd $a// th#s the '*ear o* -od&6 The peop/e ,ere ver0 +ot#vated&
The0 no do.bt too) ser#o.s 3a./Ds threat&
A
.hen Sau" muste(ed them at +e3e'$ the men of ,s(ae" numbe(ed th(ee hund(ed thousand and the
men of udah thi(t) thousand#
BeGe) #s the stag#ng area& 1t #s oppos#te the approa$h to 2abesh -#/ead( abo.t 17 +#/es a,a0& 1 donDt )no, #*
+en $a+e *ro+ a// o* 1srae/& 1t ,o./d ta)e t#+e to trave/ the ent#re $o.ntr0&
1srae/ #s /ong and narro, and #s abo.t 2@0 +#/es #n /ength and AE +#/es #n ,#dth at #ts ,#dest po#nt5 #t #s
s/#ght/0 /arger than "assa$h.setts&
th(ee hund(ed thousand and the men of udah thi(t) thousand A better trans/at#on #s( 'And he n.+bered
the+ at BeGe)> '3a./ organ#Ged the ar+0 #nto +#/#tar0 .n#ts and appo#nted o**#$ers& He had a /ot to
a$$o+p/#sh& The CC0(000 #s another e%a+p/e o* a h.ge n.+ber& 1tDs hard to #+ag#ne so +an0 so/d#ers $o+#ng
*ro+ s.$h an area #n so short a t#+e& Re+e+ber there #s no stand#ng ar+0 #n 1srae/& We have seen these /arge
n.+bers be*ore& Re+e+ber 1 3a+ F:1@ ,here E0(000 +en are sa#d to have d#ed be$a.se the0 /oo)ed #nto the
Ar)& The prob/e+ o* /arge n.+ber o$$.rs aga#n #n 1C:E ,here the J2V reads( 'And the Ph#/#st#nes gathered
together the+se/ves to *#ght ,#th 1srae/ C0(000 $har#ots and F(000 horse+en( and peop/e as the sand>6
Ar$her #n h#s boo) B#b/e 9#**#$./t#es sa0s( '#t #s not $on$e#vab/e that C0(000 $har#ots $o./d have been
dep/o0ed #n #ts v#$#n#t0&&6 7p& 1728 Even Barnes notes that 1C:E #s a $op0#st +#sta)e& The N1V trans/ates 1C:E
th#s ,a0 'The Ph#/#st#nes asse+b/ed to *#ght 1srae/( ,#th three tho.sand $har#ots( s#% tho.sand $har#oteers(
and so/d#ers as n.+ero.s as the sand on the seashore>6
We a/,a0s have to be s.sp#$#o.s o* these /arge n.+bers& The n.+bers are +.$h too /arge *or th#s per#od&
7WBC8
'a Otho.sandD #s the na+e *or a /arge gro.p o* +en& The gro.p has a +a%#+.+ o* 1000 +en( b.t there +a0
be *e,er +en& 3o there ,ere C00 /arge gro.ps o* +en *ro+ 1srae/ and C0 gro.ps *ro+ 2.dah&6 7W0$/#**e
Asso$#ates 7PJ8 8
What are the e%p/anat#ons g#ven b0 $o++entators *or these /arge n.+bers;
"#sta)es #n $op0#ng
The n.+ber 'tho.sand6 re*ers to +#/#tar0 .n#ts or $/ans& We $annot be s.re ,hether :e/ep +eans
Itho.sandI or #s .sed #n a +ore genera/ sense to re*er to a +#/#tar0 I.n#tI 7as #n 17:1A5 2@:25 2 3a+ 1A:8&
The n.+ber #s *#g.rat#ve *or a /arge n.+ber&
E#ther ,a0( th#s #s not a stand#ng ar+0 b.t an ar+0 o* the peop/e&
E
The I+en o* 1srae/I and I+en o* 2.dahI e#ther ant#$#pates the event.a/ d#v#s#on o* the )#ngdo+ #nto north
and so.th or re*/e$ts a.thorsh#p 7or /ater +odest ed#tor#a/ .pdat#ng8 o* th#s se$t#on o* the boo)s o* 3a+.e/ #n
the da0s o* the d#v#ded +onar$h0 7#&e&( a*ter @C1 B&C&5 $*& s#+#/ar/0 the #+p/#$at#ons o* the re*eren$e to Ia//
1srae/ *ro+ 9an to BeershebaI #n C:208& 7<ondervan8 Mr( #t sho,s the re/.$tan$e o* 2.dah to send troops&
2.dah #s the /argest tr#be b.t d#dnDt send as +an0 troops as #t $o./d have& The d#v#s#on too) p/a$e so+e A0
0ears a*ter 3a./Ds death&
@
The) to"d the messenge(s who had come$ %Sa) to the men of abesh !i"ead$ 4+) the time the sun is
hot tomo((ow$ )ou wi"" be de"ive(ed#5 %.hen the messenge(s went and (epo(ted this to the men of
abesh$ the) we(e e"ated#
+) the time the sun is hot The res$.e ,#// be $o+p/ete at h#gh noon&
3a./ has a /ot o* $on*#den$e that h#s p/an and h#s *or$es ,#// be v#$tor#o.s& Th#s #s the ,or) o* the 3p#r#t #n
3a./& 3o+e 1F 0ears /ater 3a./ ,#// /ose a// $on*#den$e and )#// h#+se/*&
6N 7896
2ea( f(iends$ if ou( hea(ts do not condemn us$ we have confidence befo(e !od#
'Chr#st#ans are $a//ed to *e//o,sh#p ,#th -od 71:C5 2:28& B.t #* the0 are g.#/t4r#dden and $ons$#en$e4
str#$)en( rather than see)#ng that *e//o,sh#p or en=o0#ng #t( the0 ,#// */ee the presen$e o* -od& The0 ,#// be
.nab/e to ab#de #n h#+ or $/a#+ the#r pos#t#on as Ih#s $h#/dren&I Nor ,#// the0 dare see) ans,ers to pra0er that
he a/one $an prov#de& Mn the other hand( those ,ho have h#s pea$e #n the#r hearts ,#// have I$on*#den$eI not
on/0 at h#s appear#ng b.t #n the ord#nar0 here4and4no, re/at#onsh#p to the ?ather espe$#a//0 as #t #nvo/ves
pra0er& Be/#evers ,#// stand #n h#s presen$e Inat.ra//0I as those ,ho are s.pposed to be there( be$a.se he has
so prov#ded *or the+&6 7<ondevan8
)ou wi"" be de"ive(ed Mr '0o. ,#// be v#$tor#o.s&6 7WBC8
10
The) said to the Ammonites$ %Tomo((ow we wi"" su((ende( to )ou$ and )ou can do to us whateve(
seems good to )ou#%
and )ou can do to us whateve( seems good to )ou The #ron0 #s that the 1srae/#tes ,#// do the sa+e to the
A++on#tes& The 2e,s ,#// do to the A++on#tes ,hat see+s good to the+& No do.bt th#s response $a.sed
the A++on#tes to re/a% the#r g.ard&
11
The ne/t da) Sau" sepa(ated his men into th(ee divisions- du(ing the "ast watch of the night the)
b(o'e into the camp of the Ammonites and s"aughte(ed them unti" the heat of the da)# Those who
su(vived we(e scatte(ed$ so that no two of them we(e "eft togethe(#
du(ing the "ast watch of the night ?ro+ dar)ness to da,n& Ea$h ,at$h ,as ho.rs /ong& 3a./ +ar$hed a//
n#ght and atta$)ed =.st a*ter s.ndo,n&
The A++on#tes ,ere bet,een 3a./Ds ar+0 and the ar+0 o* 2abesh& 1tDs hard to #+ag#ne an ar+0 o* CC0(000
snea)#ng .p on the A++on#tes&
so that no two of them we(e "eft togethe( There ,as no organ#Ged res#stan$e or $o.nter atta$)& 3a./ ,on a
great batt/e( +#/#tar#/0 and persona//0&
F
A// th#s ,as done ,h#/e 1srae/ ,as .nder the s.b=e$t#on o* the Ph#/#st#nes&

12
The peop"e then said to Samue"$ %.ho was it that as'ed$ 4Sha"" Sau" (eign ove( us05 +(ing these men
to us and we wi"" put them to death#%
3a./:s troops and the peop/e o* 2abesh -#/ead( hav#ng ,#tnessed -od:s v#$tor0 over A++on .nder 3a./:s
/eadersh#p( de+anded *ro+ 3a+.e/ the death pena/t0 *or a// the tro.b/e+a)ers ,ho had H.est#oned h#s
ab#/#t0 to save the+ *ro+ *ore#gn r./e 710:278&
Qo. ,o./d th#n) that the peop/e had eno.gh b/oodshed *or the da0( b.t so+e ,anted +ore&
3atan /oves to have be/#evers atta$) be/#evers&
1C
+ut Sau" said$ %No one sha"" be put to death toda)$ fo( this da) the L1R2 has (escued ,s(ae"#%
3a./ .nder the #n*/.en$e o* the 3p#r#t( no do.bt( sa#d the da0 ,as *or re=o#$#ng not *or revenge& Ever0 da0 #s a
da0 *or than)sg#v#ng and not revenge&
3a./ #s not pett0& Be/#evers *#//ed ,#th the Ho/0 3p#r#t are not pett0 or v#nd#$t#ve&
Mne +an ,rote that #t #s harder to over$o+e +a/#$e #n the heart d.e to a persona/ #ns./t than #t #s to over$o+e
an ene+0 #n the batt/e*#e/d&
A*ter WW11 there ,as retr#b.t#on aga#nst those peop/e tho.ght to be $o//aborators& Wo+en ,ho *ratern#Ged
,#th -er+an so/d#ers ,ere ab.sed and had the#r ha#r $.t o**&
1
Then Samue" said to the peop"e$ %Come$ "et us go to !i"ga" and the(e (eaffi(m the 'ingship#%
The p.rpose o* the *#rst +eet#ng #s to Irea**#r+ the )#ngsh#pI o* 3a./( ,ho had a/read0 been ano#nted at
Ra+ah 710:18 and $hosen b0 /ot at "#Gpah 710:1742E8& 3a+.e/ ,e /earned res#sted 3a./ as )#ng& 1 be/#eve he
)ne, #t ,asnDt the LordDs ,#// *or 3a./ to be )#ng( at /east not at th#s t#+e and #n th#s ,a0( so he +#ght have
had to s,a//o, h#s ,ords and +a)e th#s anno.n$e+ent& We a// at t#+es are $a//ed to go a/ong ,#th the
progra+( even tho.gh ,e donDt /#)e #t&
1E
So a"" the peop"e went to !i"ga" and confi(med Sau" as 'ing in the p(esence of the L1R2# The(e the)
sac(ificed fe""owship offe(ings befo(e the L1R2$ and Sau" and a"" the ,s(ae"ites he"d a g(eat
ce"eb(ation#
'-#/ga/ appears to be a sp#r#t.a/ $enter to 1srae/ and an appropr#ate p/a$e *or 1srae/ to rene, her bond to
2ehovah -od& 1t ,as -#/ga/ ,here 1srae/ *#rst stepped onto the ,est s#de o* the 2ordan R#ver 72osh.a 8& 1t
,as here ,here 1srae/ pa.sed pr#or to the #nvas#on o* the /and g#ven the+ b0 -od& 1t ,as here that 1srae/Ds
+en ,ere $#r$.+$#sed and observed the#r *#rst Passover ,est o* the 2ordan 72osh.a E:1B118& And #t ,as to
-#/ga/ that 2osh.a o*ten ret.rned to *or a resp#te 72osh.a 10:F8& There*ore( th#s appears to be the +ost /og#$a/
p/a$e *or 1srae/ to go *or a sp#r#t.a/ rene,a/&6 7J.)#s8
Th#s #s the /ast o* the three stages $o+pr#s#ng 3a./Ds r#se to +onar$h0 over 1srae/&
7
3a./ ,as presented be*ore the peop/e #n a so/e+n $ere+on0& He had been v#$tor#o.s over an ene+0 o* 1srae/
and that #s ,hat the peop/e ,anted&
The peop/e o* 1srae/ b0 the#r o**er#ng e%pressed the#r des#re to reded#$ate the+se/ves to -od& Th#s o**er#ng
#n$/.ded the sa$r#*#$e o**er#ng o* 0o.ng b.//s&
Th#s #s the h#gh po#nt #n 3a./Ds sp#r#t.a/ /#*e&
3a./ ,#// /et th#s honor go to h#s head&
The peop/e ,ere on an e+ot#ona/ h#gh&
The +en o* 2abash -#/ead never *orgot 3a./Ds de/#veran$e& The 2abesh#tes res$.ed 3a./Ds bod0 *ro+ the
Ph#/#st#nes and gave #t a de$ent b.r#a/ 713a+ C18
3a+.e/:s #nv#tat#on to the peop/e to rea**#r+ 3a./ as )#ng ,as greeted ,#th enth.s#as+& I1n the presen$e o*
the LMR9I the0 $on*#r+ed the#r ear/#er $ho#$e( and Ibe*ore the LMR9I the0 bro.ght the#r sa$r#*#$es& The
o**er#ngs ,ere the appropr#ate response o* the peop/e o* 1srae/( ,ho b0 sa$r#*#$#ng the+ ,ere e%press#ng
the#r des#re to reded#$ate the+se/ves to -od #n $ovenant $o++.n#on and a//eg#an$e& 3a./:s as$ent to the
throne ,as no, $o+p/ete( and the Igreat $e/ebrat#onI&
A