Saul’s First Kingly Action

1 Samuel 11

            Saul’s first kingly action is forced on him by the Ammonites, who threatens to destroy Jabesh Gilead. It is interesting that Saul’s first battle is to defend that particular city because of its role in Judges 21. The men of Jabesh Gilead had not come out to fight against the Benjamites, so the rest of Israel had put the city to death and given the 400 virgin daughters still found there to the remaining Benjamites as wives. Now, here comes a Benjamite king, rallying all Israel, to defend this previously despised town.

            Saul’s leadership inspires through fear. In anger he butchers a team of oxen and threatens the same to anyone who refuses to help. Specifically, the terror of the Lord fell on Israel. It smacks a little of Samson. Although the text doesn’t explicitly criticize Saul, I do have to wonder if it damns with faint praise. Wouldn’t it be better to inspire action through the righteousness of the cause? However that may be, Saul does have a moment of wisdom after his kingship is confirmed: he refuses to punish those who had resisted his reign.