Then Nahashthe Ammonitecame up, and encampedagainstJabesh-gilead: and allthe menof JabeshsaiduntoNahash, Makea covenantwith us, and we will servethee. And Nahashthe Ammoniteansweredthem, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust outallyour righteyes, and layit for a reproachuponallIsrael. And the eldersof Jabeshsaiduntohim, Give us sevendays' respite, that we may sendmessengersunto allthe coastsof Israel: and then, if there be no manto saveus, we will come outtothee. Then camethe messengersto Gibeahof Saul, and toldthe tidingsin the earsof the people: and allthe peoplelifted uptheir voices, and wept. And, behold, Saulcameafterthe herdout ofthe field; and Saulsaid, What aileth the peoplethatthey weep? And they toldhim the tidingsof the menof Jabesh. And the Spiritof GodcameuponSaulwhen he heardthosetidings, and his angerwas kindledgreatly. And he tooka yokeof oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout allthe coastsof Israelby the handsof messengers, saying, Whosoevercometh not forthafterSauland afterSamuel, soshall it be doneunto his oxen. And the fearof the LORDfellonthe people, and they came outwith oneconsent. And when he numberedthem in Bezek, the childrenof Israelwerethreehundredthousand, and the menof Judahthirtythousand. And they saidunto the messengersthat came, Thusshall ye sayunto the menof Jabesh-gilead, Tomorrow, by that time the sunbe hot, ye shall havehelp. And the messengerscameand showed it to the menof Jabesh; and they were glad. Therefore the menof Jabeshsaid, Tomorrowwe will come outuntoyou, and ye shall dowith us allthat seemethgoodunto you. And it was so on the morrow, that Saulputthe peoplein threecompanies; and they cameinto the midstof the hostin the morningwatch, and slewthe Ammonitesuntilthe heatof the day: and it came to pass, that they which remainedwere scattered, so that twoof them were notlefttogether. And the peoplesaiduntoSamuel, Who is he that said, Shall Saulreignoverus? bringthe men, that we may put them to death. And Saulsaid, There shall nota manbe put to deaththisday: fortodaythe LORDhath wroughtsalvationin Israel. Then saidSamueltothe people, Come, and let us goto Gilgal, and renewthe kingdomthere. And allthe peoplewentto Gilgal; and therethey made Saul kingbeforethe LORDin Gilgal; and therethey sacrificedsacrificesof peace offeringsbeforethe LORD; and thereSauland allthe menof Israelrejoicedgreatly.