Background and Context:
The account of the men of Jabesh deceiving Nahash is found in 1 Samuel 11. This event occurs during the early reign of Saul, the first king of Israel, and highlights the challenges faced by the Israelites from surrounding nations. Nahash, the Ammonite king, posed a significant threat to the Israelites, particularly those living in the region of Jabesh-gilead.

The Threat of Nahash:
Nahash the Ammonite besieged Jabesh-gilead, a city east of the Jordan River. The men of Jabesh, recognizing their inability to withstand Nahash's forces, sought to make a treaty with him. Nahash, however, proposed a humiliating condition for peace: "I will make a treaty with you on the condition that I gouge out the right eye of every one of you, and so bring disgrace on all Israel" (1 Samuel 11:2). This demand was intended not only to incapacitate the men of Jabesh for future combat but also to shame the entire nation of Israel.

The Deception and Call for Help:
Faced with this dire situation, the elders of Jabesh requested a seven-day respite to seek help from their fellow Israelites. They said to Nahash, "Give us seven days so we can send messengers throughout Israel. If no one comes to rescue us, we will surrender to you" (1 Samuel 11:3). Nahash, confident in his military superiority and perhaps underestimating the unity of Israel, agreed to this request.

The men of Jabesh then sent messengers throughout Israel, reaching Gibeah, where Saul resided. Upon hearing the news, the people wept aloud. Saul, returning from the fields, inquired about the cause of the people's distress. When informed of the situation, "the Spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul, and he burned with anger" (1 Samuel 11:6).

Saul's Response and Victory:
Saul, demonstrating decisive leadership, took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces throughout Israel with the message: "This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel" (1 Samuel 11:7). The fear of the LORD fell upon the people, and they united as one. Saul mustered an army of 330,000 men and sent word to Jabesh-gilead that deliverance would come by the next day.

The men of Jabesh, assured of their impending rescue, informed Nahash that they would surrender the following day. This was a strategic deception, as it lulled Nahash into a false sense of security. The next morning, Saul divided his forces into three companies and launched a surprise attack on the Ammonite camp during the early morning watch. The Israelites struck down the Ammonites until the heat of the day, and those who survived were so scattered that no two of them were left together (1 Samuel 11:11).

Significance:
This event marked a pivotal moment in Saul's reign, solidifying his position as king and demonstrating the power of unity under God's anointed leader. It also underscored the importance of divine intervention and the role of the Spirit of God in empowering leaders to deliver His people. The victory over Nahash not only saved Jabesh-gilead but also reinforced the cohesion and morale of the Israelite tribes under Saul's leadership.