Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabeshgilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee.

1 SAMUEL 11:1KJV
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1 Samuel 11:1 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 11:1 mean?

1 Samuel 11:1 describes how Nahash, the leader of the Ammonites, brought his army to surround the Israelite town of Jabesh-gilead. The men of Jabesh, facing this threat, asked Nahash to make a formal agreement with them so they could surrender and serve him.

In this verse, the story is set up with Nahash (an enemy leader) attacking an Israelite city. The people of Jabesh-gilead, seeing they are outmatched, try to negotiate rather than fight. This moment shows their desperation and sets the stage for the events that follow in the chapter.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 11:1

  • נָחָשׁ (Nahash, transliterated "Nahash") means "serpent" in Hebrew, but here it is used as a personal name for the Ammonite leader. The name might hint at his threatening or dangerous character.
  • בְּרִית (berit, transliterated "berit") is the word for "covenant" or "agreement." In this context, it refers to a formal treaty or surrender, not just a casual promise. The men are asking for an official arrangement to avoid destruction.
  • עָלָה (alah, transliterated "alah") means "came up" or "went up," often used for military advances. It shows Nahash is taking the initiative and moving his forces aggressively against Jabesh-gilead.

Why 1 Samuel 11:1 matters

  • This verse highlights the vulnerability and fear of the people of Jabesh-gilead, showing how dire their situation was before Saul’s kingship is fully established.
  • The request for a "covenant" with Nahash shows the seriousness of the threat and how surrender was sometimes seen as the only option for survival in ancient warfare.
  • Understanding this verse helps make sense of why Saul’s later rescue of Jabesh-gilead is such a dramatic and important event in the story of Israel’s first king.

Where else these words appear

“Nahash” Hebrew H5176 · used in 8 verses

  • 1 Samuel 11:2 And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.
  • 2 Samuel 10:2 Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon.
  • 2 Samuel 17:27 And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash of Rabbah of the children of Ammon, and Machir the son of Ammiel of Lodebar, and Barzillai the Gileadite of Rogelim,

“Ammonite” Hebrew H5984 · used in 18 verses

  • Deuteronomy 2:20 (That also was accounted a land of giants: giants dwelt therein in old time; and the Ammonites call them Zamzummims;
  • 1 Kings 11:5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
  • Nehemiah 2:10 When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.

“Jabeshgilead” Hebrew H3003 · used in 21 verses

  • Judges 21:8 And they said, What one is there of the tribes of Israel that came not up to Mizpeh to the LORD? And, behold, there came none to the camp from Jabeshgilead to the assembly.
  • 1 Samuel 11:5 And, behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field; and Saul said, What aileth the people that they weep? And they told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh.
  • 2 Samuel 2:5 And David sent messengers unto the men of Jabeshgilead, and said unto them, Blessed be ye of the LORD, that ye have shewed this kindness unto your lord, even unto Saul, and have buried him.

“Jabeshgilead” Hebrew H1568 · used in 123 verses

  • Genesis 31:21 So he fled with all that he had; and he rose up, and passed over the river, and set his face toward the mount Gilead.
  • Judges 10:17 Then the children of Ammon were gathered together, and encamped in Gilead. And the children of Israel assembled themselves together, and encamped in Mizpeh.
  • 2 Kings 9:4 So the young man, even the young man the prophet, went to Ramothgilead.