1 Samuel 11:5 net — Now Saul was walking behind the oxen as he came from the field. Saul asked,“What has happened to the people? Why are th…

NET Bible

"Now Saul was walking behind the oxen as he came from the field. Saul asked,“What has happened to the people? Why are they weeping?” So they told him about the men of Jabesh."

— 1 Samuel 11:5, NET Bible

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1 Samuel 11:5 in Other Translations

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1 Samuel 11 — Context

2

But Nahash the Ammonite said to them,“The only way I will make a treaty with you is if you let me gouge out the right eye of every one of you and in so doing humiliate all Israel!”

3

The elders of Jabesh said to him,“Leave us alone for seven days so that we can send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. If there is no one who can deliver us, we will come out voluntarily to you.”

4

When the messengers went to Gibeah(where Saul lived) and informed the people of these matters, all the people wept loudly.

5

Now Saul was walking behind the oxen as he came from the field. Saul asked,“What has happened to the people? Why are they weeping?” So they told him about the men of Jabesh.

6

The Spirit of God rushed upon Saul when he heard these words, and he became very angry.

7

He took a pair of oxen and cut them up. Then he sent the pieces throughout the territory of Israel by the hand of messengers, who said,“Whoever does not go out after Saul and after Samuel should expect this to be done to his oxen!” Then the terror of the LORD fell on the people, and they went out as one army.

8

When Saul counted them at Bezek, the Israelites were 300,000 strong and the men of Judah numbered 30,000.

1 Samuel 11:5 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Samuel 11:5 say?
1 Samuel 11:5 in the NET Bible reads: “Now Saul was walking behind the oxen as he came from the field. Saul asked,“What has happened to the people? Why are they weeping?” So they told him about the men of Jabesh.”
Where is 1 Samuel 11:5 in the Bible?
1 Samuel 11:5 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 1 Samuel, chapter 11, verse 5.
Who wrote 1 Samuel?
1 Samuel is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Samuel, Nathan, and Gad). It was written c. 930–722 BC.
What is the book of 1 Samuel about?
1 Samuel marks Israel's transition from judges to kings. It traces the births and ministries of the prophet Samuel, the rise and tragic fall of Saul as Israel's first king, and the anointing of the shepherd boy David, whose faith makes him a man after God's own heart.
What are the major themes of 1 Samuel?
1 Samuel explores themes including Kingship, Prophet, Faith vs. Fear, God's Sovereign Choice, Anointing. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 Samuel 11:5.
What translation should I read 1 Samuel 11:5 in?
1 Samuel 11:5 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 1 Samuel 11:5?
1 Samuel 11:5 reads (NET): “Now Saul was walking behind the oxen as he came from the field. Saul asked,“What has happened to the people? Why are they weeping?” So they told him about the men of Jabesh.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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