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.

1 SAMUEL 11:5KJV
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1 Samuel 11:5 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 11:5 mean?

1 Samuel 11:5 shows Saul learning why his people are in distress. He has returned from tending cattle and finds them weeping over news from Jabesh. His question brings the crisis to his attention and sets up his response in the verses that follow.

Saul comes “after the herd,” a picture of him driving the animals home from the field. When he asks, “What aileth the people?” he means, “What is troubling them?” The people then tell him the news that has reached them from Jabesh.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 11:5

  • “herd” — בָּקָר (baqar): This word refers to cattle. It gives a more specific picture than the English word “herd,” which can refer to several kinds of animals.
  • “tidings” — דָּבָר (davar): This word can mean a matter, a report, or words spoken. Here it refers to the news about the men of Jabesh that the people pass on to Saul.

Why 1 Samuel 11:5 matters

  • Saul is introduced here in the middle of ordinary farm work, even though he has already been chosen as king. His return from the field places the coming rescue alongside his daily life.
  • The people’s grief shows that the trouble at Jabesh is not treated as a distant concern. After messengers bring the news, the people raise their voices and weep (verse 4).
  • Saul’s question is the turning point between hearing about the threat and acting on it. In the following verses, Saul summons Israel to help Jabesh.

Where else these words appear

“Jabesh” 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 11:3 And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days' respite, that we may send messengers unto all the coasts of Israel: and then, if there be no man to save us, we will come out to thee.
  • 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.

“weep” Hebrew H1058 · used in 100 verses

  • Genesis 21:16 And she went, and sat her down over against him a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over against him, and lift up her voice, and wept.
  • Judges 20:26 Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
  • Esther 8:3 And Esther spake yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and besought him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews.