Day 81: 1 Samuel 10, 11 and 12

Say to the men of Jabesh Gilead, “By the time the sun is hot tomorrow, you will be delivered.” (1 Samuel 11:9)

This is actually the second of three installments in the story of Jabesh Gilead. You remember Jabesh in Gilead. Episode One: The tribe of Benjamin was in trouble for a heinous crime perpetrated by a few of its members. When the tribes of Israel united against Benjamin, nearly bringing it to the point of extinction (Judges 19-20), Jabesh did not join the fight. After Israel realized how close it had come to losing one of its tribes altogether, Jabesh was attacked and its young women given to Benjamin as wives.

And where did Saul hail from? You got it. He was from the tribe of Benjamin.

In this story (Episode Two), Jabesh Gilead (it must have risen from the ashes) was besieged by the Ammonites. When word of their plight reached Saul, the new king of Israel realized his first test had arrived. To make a long, confusing story short, Saul led Israel’s fighting men and rescued Jabesh. Saul’s kingship, which had up to that point been received unenthusiastically at best, was strengthened and acclaimed by everyone.

Episode Three is the tear-jerker. Rather than tell you the story, I’ll let you read it for yourself: 1 Samuel 31:11-13. How the mighty have fallen. Saul, in spite of his failings, was honored by many.

Have you ever been blessed at a later date by a visit from your past?