1 Samuel 11:1

“Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabeshgilead, etc.] A month after, as in the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions, that is, a month after Saul was chosen king; so Josephus f211: this prince was preparing for war against Israel before, which they hearing of, requested they might have a king to go before them in battle, (<091212>1 Samuel 12:12) but now he actually marched from his own country, and besieged Jabeshgilead, a city in the land of Gilead, from whence it had its name, and lay in the half tribe of Manasseh, on the other side Jordan, (see <072108>Judges 21:8). It lay near to the Ammonites, and was part of the country they laid claim to in the times of Jephthah,…”

“NAHASH OFFERS THEM OF JABESH-GILEAD A REPROACHFUL CONDITION. (Sa1 11:1-4) Then Nahash the Ammonite came up--Nahash ("serpent"); (see Jdg 8:3). The Ammonites had long claimed the right of original possession in Gilead. Though repressed by Jephthah (Jdg 11:33), they now, after ninety years, renew their pretensions; and it was the report of their threatened invasion that hastened the appointment of a king (Sa1 12:12). Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee--They saw no prospect of aid from the western Israelites, who were not only remote, but scarcely able to repel the incursions of the Philistines from themselves.”

“Nahash was king of the children of Ammon, as appears from 1 Samuel 12:12. He seems to have been connected with the family of David, since Abigail, David’s sister, was “the daughter (perhaps granddaughter) of Nahash” 2 Samuel 17:25; 1 Chronicles 2:16-17; and, perhaps, in consequence of this connection, he and his family were very friendly to David 2 Samuel 17:27. Jabesh-Gilead must have been re-populated after its destruction (see marginal reference). The Ammonites and Moabites resented the possession of Gilead by the Israelites Judges 10:6-18; Judges 11:0. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Then - That is, about that time; for that this happened before, and was the occasion of their desire of a king, may seem from Sa1 12:12, although it is possible, that Nahash's preparation, might cause that desire, and that he did not actually come 'till their king was chosen. Will serve - The occasion of this offer was, that they saw no likelihood of relief from their brethren in Canaan. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 11:2”

“11:1-15 Saul’s kingship was confirmed through a military victory, the very reason the people wanted a king (8:20). 11:1 Ammon (see Gen 19:38), located on the east side of the Jordan, represented a threat to Israel similar to the Philistines to the southwest (see also Judg 10:6–11:33). • Make a treaty with us: Cp. Josh 9; 2 Sam 10:19.”

“Nahash: In the Vulgate this chapter begins thus: Et factum est quasi post mensem, "And it came to pass about a month after;" which is also the reading of the principal copies of the Septuagint; and is also found in Josephus, though it appears to be of little authority. Sa1 12:12; Jdg 10:7, 11:8-33 Jabeshgilead: Sa1 31:11-13; Jdg 21:8, 10-25 Make: Gen 26:28; Exo 23:32; Deu 23:3; Kg1 20:34; Job 41:4; Isa 36:16; Eze 17:13 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 11:2”

“Saul's Victory over the Ammonites. - Even after the election by lot at Mizpeh, Saul did not seize upon the reins of government at once, but returned to his father's house in Gibeah, and to his former agricultural occupation; not, however, merely from personal humility and want of ambition, but rather from a correct estimate of the circumstances. The monarchy was something so new in Israel, that the king could not expect a general and voluntary recognition of his regal dignity and authority, especially after the conduct of the worthless people mentioned in Sa1 10:27, until he had answered their expectations from a king ( Sa1 8:6, Sa1 8:20), and proved himself a deliverer of Israel from its…”