ThenNahash the Ammonitecame up, and encampedagainstJabeshgilead: and all the men of JabeshsaiduntoNahash, Make a covenantwith us, and we willservethee.
And Nahash the Ammoniteansweredthem, On thisconditionwill I make a covenantwith you, that I may thrust out all yourrighteyes, and lay it for a reproachupon all Israel.
And the elders of Jabeshsaidunto him, Give us sevendays’respite, that we may sendmessengersunto all the coasts of Israel: and then, if there be no man to save us, we willcome out to thee.
And, behold, Saulcameafter the herd out of the field; and Saulsaid, Whataileth the peoplethattheyweep? And theytold him the tidings of the men of Jabesh.
And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewedthem in pieces, and sentthemthroughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoevercometh not forthafterSaul and afterSamuel, so shall it be doneunto his oxen. And the fear of the LORDfell on the people, and theycame out with one consent.
And theysaidunto the messengersthatcame, Thusshall ye say unto the men of Jabeshgilead, To morrow, by thattime the sun be hot, ye shallhavehelp. And the messengerscame and shewed it to the men of Jabesh; and theywereglad.
And it was so on the morrow, thatSaul put the people in threecompanies; and theycameinto the midst of the host in the morningwatch, and slew the Ammonitesuntil the heat of the day: and it came to pass, thattheywhichremainedwerescattered, so that two of themwere not lefttogether.
And all the peoplewent to Gilgal; and theretheymadeSaulkingbefore the LORD in Gilgal; and theretheysacrificedsacrifices of peaceofferingsbefore the LORD; and thereSaul and all the men of Israelrejoicedgreatly.