thoughts than self, that thus it would be done to their oxen who followed not after Saul and Samuel in the

general war against Ammon.

This, if ever, was the time when the Divine appointment of Saul must be vindicated; and to indicate this he

conjoined with himself Samuel, the venerated prophet of God, so long the judge of Israel. It is said that "the

terror of Jehovah" fell upon the people.112 From all parts of the land armed men trooped to the trysting-place

at Bezek, within the territory of Issachar, near to Bethshan, and almost in a straight line to Jabesh. Three

hundred thousand from Israel, and thirty thousand from Judah,113 (for that territory was in part held by the

Philistines), had obeyed the summons of Saul. It was not an army, but a ban - a landsturm - an armed rising

of the people.

From the brow of the hill on which Bethshan lay, in the plain of Jezreel, you might look across Jordan and

see Jabesh-gilead on its eminence. A very few hours would bring relief to the beleaguered city, and so they

bade them know and expect. A feigned promise of subjection on the morrow made Nahash and his army

even more confident than before. And what, indeed, had they to fear when all Israel lay so helplessly

It was night when Saul and the armed multitude which followe d him broke up from Bezek. Little did he know

how well the brave men of Jabesh would requite the service; how, when on that disastrous day on Mount

Gilboa he and his sons would fall in battle, and the victorious Philistines fasten their dead bodies to the

walls of Bethshan, these brave men of Jabesh would march all night and rescue the fallen heroes from

exposure (1 Samuel 31:8-13). Strange that Saul's first march should have been by night from Bethshan to

Jabesh, the same route by which at the last they carried his dead body at night.

But no such thoughts disturbed the host as they crossed the fords of the Jordan, and swarmed up the other

bank. A few hours more, and they had reached the valley of the Jabesh. Following the example of Gideon

(Judges 7:16), Saul divided the people "into three companies." From the rear and from either flank they fell

upon the unsuspecting Ammonites when most secure - "in the morning watch," between three and six

o'clock. A general panic ensued; and before the rout was ended not two of the enemy were left together.

The revulsion of popular feeling toward Saul was complete. They would even have killed those who had

formerly derided the new monarchy. But Saul refused such counsel. Rather did Samuel make different use of

the new state of feeling. On his proposal the people followed him and Saul to Gilgal, to which place so many

sacred memories clung. Here they offered thank and peace-offerings, and greatly rejoiced as they renewed

"the kingdom," and, in the sense of real and univers al acknowledgment, "made Saul king before Jehovah."  114

Although all his lifetime Samuel never ceased to judge Israel, yet his official work in that capacity had now

come to an end. Accordingly he gave a solemn and public account of his administration, calling alike the

Lord and His anointed to witness of what passed between him and the people. Leaving his sons to bear the

the Lord, and ruler in Israel, he went further. Fain would he bring them to repentance for their great sin in the

manner wherein they had demanded a king.116 One by one he recalled to them the "righteous doings" of

Jehovah in the fulfillment of His covenant-promises in the past.117

In contrast to this never-failing help, he pointed to their unbelief, when, unmindful of what God had done

and distrustful of what He would do, they had, on the approach of serious danger, virtually said concerning

His leadership, "Nay, but a king shall re ign over us." And God had granted their desire. But upon their and

their king's bearing towards the Lord, not upon the fact that they had now a king, would the future of Israel

depend. And this truth, so difficult for them to learn, God would now, as it were, prove before them in a

symbol. Did they think it unlikely, nay, well-nigh impossible, to fail in their present circumstances? God

would bring the unlikely and seemingly incredible to pass in a manner patent to all. Was it not the time of

convince them, by making the unlikely real, of the folly and sin of their thoughts in demanding a king.119