1 Samuel 11:7
He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent them by messengers throughout the land of Israel, proclaiming, "This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not march behind Saul and Samuel." Then the terror of the LORD fell upon the people, and they turned out as one man.
He took a pair of oxen
In ancient Israel, oxen were valuable assets, essential for agriculture and transportation. The Hebrew word for "oxen" is "בָּקָר" (baqar), which signifies their importance in daily life. Saul's choice to use oxen underscores the gravity of the situation, as he sacrifices something of great value to rally the Israelites. This act symbolizes the seriousness of the call to unity and action against the Ammonite threat.

cut them into pieces
The act of cutting the oxen into pieces is reminiscent of the covenant ritual described in Genesis 15, where animals were divided to signify a binding agreement. The Hebrew word "נִתַּח" (nittach) implies a deliberate and solemn act. This gruesome imagery serves as a powerful visual message, emphasizing the dire consequences of inaction and the need for collective response.

sent the pieces by messengers
The use of messengers to distribute the pieces throughout Israel highlights the urgency and widespread nature of the call. The Hebrew term "מַלְאָכִים" (mal'akhim) for "messengers" can also mean "angels," indicating the divine authority behind the message. This method ensured that the call to arms reached every corner of the nation, uniting the tribes under a common cause.

throughout the land of Israel
The phrase "throughout the land of Israel" signifies the comprehensive scope of Saul's message. It was not limited to a single tribe or region but extended to the entire nation. This reflects the unity and collective identity of Israel as God's chosen people, called to defend their land and uphold their covenant with the LORD.

proclaiming, 'This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel.'
The proclamation serves as both a warning and a rallying cry. The mention of "Saul and Samuel" together emphasizes the divinely appointed leadership and the spiritual authority guiding the nation. The Hebrew word "יֹאמַר" (yomar) for "proclaiming" conveys a sense of authoritative declaration, underscoring the seriousness of the call to action.

Then the terror of the LORD fell upon the people
The "terror of the LORD" is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, often associated with divine intervention and awe-inspiring power. The Hebrew word "פַּחַד" (pachad) for "terror" indicates a profound fear that compels obedience. This divine fear unites the people, ensuring their collective response to the threat and demonstrating God's active presence in their midst.

and they turned out as one man
The phrase "as one man" highlights the unity and solidarity of the Israelites in response to Saul's call. The Hebrew expression "כְּאִישׁ אֶחָד" (ke'ish echad) signifies complete unanimity and shared purpose. This unity is a testament to the effectiveness of Saul's leadership and the divine influence that brought the people together to face their common enemy.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Saul
The first king of Israel, chosen by God and anointed by Samuel. In this passage, he demonstrates leadership and decisiveness in rallying the Israelites.

2. Samuel
The prophet and last judge of Israel, who anointed Saul as king. His name is invoked alongside Saul's to lend authority to the call to arms.

3. Oxen
Animals used in agriculture, symbolizing wealth and livelihood. Saul's drastic action of cutting them into pieces serves as a powerful visual and symbolic message.

4. Messengers
Individuals tasked with delivering Saul's message throughout Israel, ensuring that the call to arms reaches all tribes.

5. Israel
The nation of God's chosen people, who are called to unite under Saul's leadership to face an external threat.
Teaching Points
Decisive Leadership
Saul's actions demonstrate the importance of decisive leadership in times of crisis. Leaders must sometimes take bold actions to unify and motivate their people.

Unity in Purpose
The response of the Israelites, turning out "as one man," underscores the power of unity in achieving a common goal. Believers are called to stand together in faith and purpose.

Fear of the Lord
The "terror of the LORD" serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the reverence due to Him. It is a call to align our actions with His will.

Symbolic Actions
Saul's use of a powerful symbol (the cut oxen) illustrates how symbolic actions can communicate urgency and compel action. In our lives, we should consider how our actions and symbols reflect our faith.

Obedience and Consequences
The warning attached to Saul's message highlights the importance of obedience to God's appointed leaders and the consequences of inaction.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Saul's leadership in this passage compare to other leaders in the Bible who faced crises? What can we learn from their examples?

2. In what ways can we, as a church or community, ensure unity in purpose when facing challenges today?

3. How does the "terror of the LORD" manifest in our lives, and how should it influence our actions and decisions?

4. What are some modern-day "symbolic actions" that can effectively communicate urgency and motivate others in our faith communities?

5. Reflect on a time when you faced a decision that required bold action. How did your faith influence your decision-making process, and what was the outcome?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Judges 19:29
This passage describes a similar act of cutting a concubine into pieces to rally the tribes of Israel, highlighting the gravity and urgency of the situation.

Exodus 15:16
The "terror of the LORD" is reminiscent of the fear that fell upon the nations as Israel journeyed to the Promised Land, emphasizing God's power to unite and protect His people.

1 Samuel 10:26-27
Saul's initial acceptance as king and the skepticism of some Israelites, setting the stage for his need to prove his leadership.
Practical RoyaltyJ. Parker, D. D.1 Samuel 11:1-11
The Immediate Consequences of a National Rejection of GodJoseph S. Exell, M. A.1 Samuel 11:1-11
The Relic of Jabesh-GileadW. G. Blaikie, D. D.1 Samuel 11:1-11
Saul's First VictoryB. Dale 1 Samuel 11:1-15
Enthusiastic LeadersWeekly Pulpit1 Samuel 11:7-11
Rallying to the King's StandardHugh Brown.1 Samuel 11:7-11
People
Ammonites, Israelites, Jabesh, Nahash, Samuel, Saul
Places
Bezek, Gibeah, Gilgal, Jabesh-gilead
Topics
Anyone, Border, Borders, Coasts, Consent, Couple, Cut, Cutteth, Cutting, Doesn't, Dread, Falleth, Fear, Fell, Follow, Forth, Hands, Hewed, Messengers, Oxen, Pieces, Proclaiming, Runners, Samuel, Saul, Saying, Taketh, Territory, Terror, Throughout, Thus, Yoke
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Samuel 11:7

     5335   herald
     5372   knife
     5571   surgery
     5865   gestures

1 Samuel 11:1-11

     5607   warfare, examples

1 Samuel 11:6-8

     5608   warfare, strategies

Library
The Bright Dawn of a Reign
'And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the Lord said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And He said, Unto Hebron. 2. So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail, Nabal's wife, the Carmelite. 3. And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. 4. And the men of Judah came, and there
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The King after Man's Heart
'And Samuel called the people together unto the Lord to Mizpeh; 18. And said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms, and of them that oppressed you; 19. And ye have this day rejected your God, who Himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto Him, Nay, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

And V the Kingdom Undivided and the Kingdom Divided
THE HISTORICAL BOOKS: I and II Samuel. I and II Kings. I and II Chronicles. NOTE.--As these three pairs of books are so closely related in their historical contents, it is deemed best to study them together, though they overlap the two divisions of IV and V. I. CHARTS Chart A. General Contents +--+ " I AND II SAMUEL " +-------------+-----+------+ "Samuel "Saul "David " +-------------+-----+------+----------+ " " " " I AND II KINGS "NOTE.--Biblical
Frank Nelson Palmer—A Bird's-Eye View of the Bible

The Providence of God
Q-11: WHAT ARE GOD'S WORKS OF PROVIDENCE? A: God's works of providence are the acts of his most holy, wise, and powerful government of his creatures, and of their actions. Of the work of God's providence Christ says, My Father worketh hitherto and I work.' John 5:17. God has rested from the works of creation, he does not create any new species of things. He rested from all his works;' Gen 2:2; and therefore it must needs be meant of his works of providence: My Father worketh and I work.' His kingdom
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

Links
1 Samuel 11:7 NIV
1 Samuel 11:7 NLT
1 Samuel 11:7 ESV
1 Samuel 11:7 NASB
1 Samuel 11:7 KJV

1 Samuel 11:7 Commentaries

Bible Hub
1 Samuel 11:6
Top of Page
Top of Page