1 samuel 11:9 - They said to the messengers who came, “Tell the men of Jabesh Gilead, ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you will be rescued.’” The messengers came and told the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.

Generated Verse: 1 samuel 11:9

What does "1 samuel 11:9" mean?


This verse (1 Samuel 11:9) is part of the story where Nahash the Ammonite is besieging Jabesh Gilead and demanding a horrific price for surrender: gouging out the right eye of every man. The men of Jabesh Gilead send messengers to Saul for help.

What the verse means, in context:

"They said to the messengers who came...": "They" refers to Saul and the Israelites who have rallied to his call after he was filled with the Spirit of God and angered by the plight of Jabesh Gilead. They are giving the messengers a message to take back to Jabesh Gilead.
"...“Tell the men of Jabesh Gilead, ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you will be rescued.’”: This is the crucial part. Saul is promising the people of Jabesh Gilead that they will be rescued tomorrow morning. "By the time the sun is hot" means around mid-morning; Saul is giving them a precise and imminent timeline. This is a message of hope and impending deliverance. It's meant to strengthen their resolve and prevent them from surrendering to Nahash.
"The messengers came and told the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.": The messengers successfully deliver Saul's message to the men of Jabesh Gilead. The news that rescue is coming so soon, and that they won't have to endure Nahash's brutal terms, fills them with joy and relief. They are now encouraged to hold out.

In short, the verse represents:

A message of hope: Saul's promise of rescue offers the men of Jabesh Gilead a reason to resist Nahash's demands.
A demonstration of Saul's leadership: Saul acts decisively and quickly, demonstrating his ability to rally Israel and provide protection.
The power of timely encouragement: The news of imminent help gives the besieged people the strength to endure.

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