And they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall ye say unto the men of Jabeshgilead, To morrow, by that time the sun be hot, ye shall have help. And the messengers came and shewed it to the men of Jabesh; and they were glad.

1 SAMUEL 11:9KJV
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1 Samuel 11:9 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 11:9 mean?

1 Samuel 11:9 describes how messengers were told to assure the people of Jabesh-gilead that help would arrive by the next day, around the time the sun grew hot. When the messengers delivered this news, the people of Jabesh were relieved and glad.

The context is that the people of Jabesh-gilead were under threat from an enemy, and they had sent for help. Saul, newly anointed as king, is responding to their plea. The verse shows the promise of timely rescue and the hope it brings to a desperate community.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 11:9

  • "messengers" (מַלְאָךְ, mal’akh): This word means messengers or envoys, and it highlights the official role of those carrying the urgent news between Saul and Jabesh-gilead.
  • "help" (תְּשׁוּעָה, teshua): This word means deliverance or salvation, emphasizing that what is being promised is not just military aid, but a true rescue from danger.
  • "glad" (שָׂמַח, samach): This word means to rejoice or be glad, showing the deep relief and happiness the people felt upon hearing that they would not be abandoned.

Why 1 Samuel 11:9 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Saul’s leadership is immediately practical and responsive, showing his role as a deliverer for Israel right from the start of his reign.
  • The specific promise of help "by that time the sun be hot" gives a concrete sense of timing, which would have reassured the anxious people that their rescue was imminent.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by setting up the dramatic rescue that follows, showing how hope and action work together in a crisis.

Where else these words appear

“hot” Hebrew H2527 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 8:22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
  • 2 Samuel 4:5 And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, went, and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, who lay on a bed at noon.
  • Isaiah 18:4 For so the LORD said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.

“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 11:3 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.

“help” Hebrew H8668 · used in 32 verses

  • Judges 15:18 And he was sore athirst, and called on the LORD, and said, Thou hast given this great deliverance into the hand of thy servant: and now shall I die for thirst, and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?
  • 2 Chronicles 6:41 Now therefore arise, O LORD God, into thy resting place, thou, and the ark of thy strength: let thy priests, O LORD God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness.
  • Psalms 119:41 VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.

“morrow” Hebrew H4279 · used in 52 verses

  • Genesis 30:33 So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me.
  • Joshua 3:5 And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you.
  • 1 Samuel 28:19 Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.