Reading for February 26th

 Read 1 Samuel 27b-11.15. In 10.27b-11.15: Saul defeats the Ammonites. In 10.27b: This paragraph was lost from the Hebrew text but can now be restored from a Dead Sea Scroll fragment of Samuel. The missing material explains the reason for the conflict in ch 11. The Gadites are the Reubenites were Israelites living east of the Jordan River in territory which the Ammonite king, Nahash, considered his, but which Israel also claimed. The city of Jabesh in Gilead was farther north and outside of the disputed area, but Nahash threatened it because some of the Israelites from Gad and Rueben had fled there. In 11.3: The messages are not sent directly to Saul but through all the territory of Israel. In verses 4-5: Even in Gibeah the messengers do not seek out Saul, but he learns of their mission because of the weeping of the people as he returns from the field. Thus, the story does not seem to assume that Saul is king. In verse 6: The spirit of the God spurs Saul to military action as it had some of the delivers in the book of Judges. In verse 7: Saul's action symbolizes a threat against the animals and perhaps the people themselves who do not join in the war. References to dismemberment occur in ancient treaties, so that Saul's actions assumes covenant relationship among the tribes. In verse 8: The division between Israel and Judah is reflected here through it did not occur until after Solomon's reign. In verse 10: We will give ourselves up to you means literally, "we will come out to you." What sounds to Nahash like a surrender cleverly masks a threat. The people of Jabesh will come out to fight. In verse 11: The next day actually began at sunset according to Israelite reckoning and the morning watch was in the early hours before sunrise. This was a surprise attack before dawn. In verses 12:14: These verses are editorial and bind 10.17-27a with 10.27b-11.15. It was the "worthless fellows" in 10.27 a who asked, Shall Saul reign over us? The editor adds Samuel to the story at this point even though he plays no role in the battle account. The editor also speaks of renew(ing) the kingship. In verse 15: The original story did not assume that Saul was already king but explained that the people made Saul king as a result of his victory on this occasions. Comments or Questions..