Nahash, king of the Ammonites, was oppressing the people of Gad and Reuben who lived in the east of the Jordan.
He gouged out the right eye of each of the Israelites living there, and he didn’t allow anyone to come and help. There wasn’t a single one whose right eye was not gouged out.
But there were 7,000 men who had escaped from the Ammonites, and they had settled in Jabesh-Gilead.
King Nahash led his army against Jabesh-Gilead to attack the 7000 men. But all the citizens asked for peace, they pleaded. So Nahash agreed on one condition, to gouge out the right eye of everyone as a disgrace to all Israel!
The elders asked seven days to send messengers throughout Israel! “If no one helps, they decided to agree to the terms of Nahash.” When they came to Saul and the people told about their plight, everyone broke into tears.
Then the Spirit of God came powerfully upon Saul, and he became very angry. He took two oxen and cut them into pieces and sent the messengers to carry them throughout Israel with this message: "This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel"
And the LORD made the people afraid of Saul’s anger, and all of them came out together as one.
Saul made a surprise attack and fought all morning and won over king Nahash.
Then the people of Israel said to Samuel, “Where are the people who said that Saul should not be our king? Hand them over to us, and we will kill them!”
But Saul said, “No one will be put to death for this is the day the Lord rescued Israel.” And Samuel said, “Let us all go and once more proclaim Saul as our king.”
To Ponder:
Don't worry. Today God will silence the mouths of the people who spoke negatively about you. Jesus is still on the Throne. He will stand up for us once again. Amen
Just when you enemy seems to have the upper hand, place your trust in God and realize that the day set for your destruction may actually be the day of your deliverance.
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