Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there.

1 SAMUEL 11:14KJV
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1 Samuel 11:14 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 11:14 mean?

1 Samuel 11:14 describes Samuel inviting the people of Israel to go with him to Gilgal in order to "renew the kingdom" there. This means Samuel is calling the nation together for a public reaffirmation of Saul's kingship after Saul's recent victory over the Ammonites.

Samuel, the prophet and leader, is speaking to the Israelites after Saul has just delivered them from an enemy. The setting is a moment of national relief and unity, and Samuel suggests gathering at Gilgal, a significant place in Israel's history, to formally strengthen Saul's position as king. This verse highlights a turning point where the people are encouraged to come together and confirm their support for Saul's rule.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 11:14

  • "renew" (חָדַשׁ, chadash): This word means to make new or restore. Here, it suggests not starting something from scratch, but reaffirming or strengthening Saul's kingship, which had already been announced earlier.
  • "kingdom" (מַמְלָכָה, mamlakhah): This word refers to the rule or reign of a king. In this context, it points to the institution of kingship in Israel, focusing on Saul's leadership.
  • "Gilgal" (גִּלְגָּל, Gilgal): Gilgal was a significant site for Israel, often associated with important national events. Choosing this location adds weight to the ceremony and connects it to Israel's earlier history.

Why 1 Samuel 11:14 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Saul's kingship needed public confirmation, not just a private or initial announcement, especially after he proved himself as a leader in battle.
  • The use of "renew" shows that leadership in Israel was not a one-time event but something that could be reaffirmed as circumstances changed.
  • The gathering at Gilgal ties Saul's kingship to Israel's broader story, reminding the people of their shared history and God's past actions at that site.

Where else these words appear

“renew” Hebrew H2318 · used in 10 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 15:8 And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the LORD, that was before the porch of the LORD.
  • Job 10:17 Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, and increasest thine indignation upon me; changes and war are against me.
  • Psalms 104:30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.

“kingdom” Hebrew H4410 · used in 23 verses

  • 1 Samuel 10:16 And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not.
  • 1 Kings 2:15 And he said, Thou knowest that the kingdom was mine, and that all Israel set their faces on me, that I should reign: howbeit the kingdom is turned about, and is become my brother's: for it was his from the LORD.
  • Psalms 22:28 For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations.

“Gilgal” Hebrew H1537 · used in 39 verses

  • Deuteronomy 11:30 Are they not on the other side Jordan, by the way where the sun goeth down, in the land of the Canaanites, which dwell in the champaign over against Gilgal, beside the plains of Moreh?
  • Joshua 14:6 Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea.
  • 1 Samuel 15:21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.

“Samuel” Hebrew H8050 · used in 120 verses

  • Numbers 34:20 And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud.
  • 1 Samuel 9:15 Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,
  • 1 Samuel 15:22 And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.