1 Samuel 11:1–7

Then Nahash the ^aAmmonite came up, and encamped against ^bJabesh-gilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, ^cMake a covenant with us, and we will serve thee. ²And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make ^da covenant with you, that I may ^ethrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for ^fa reproach upon all Israel. ³And 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. ⁴Then came the messengers to ^gGibeah of Saul, and told the tidings in the ears of the people: and ^hall the people lifted up their voices, and wept. ⁵And, 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. ⁶And ⁱthe Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly. ⁷And he took a yoke of oxen, and ^jhewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, ^kWhosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out ^†with one consent.