1 Então subiu Naás amonita, e se acampou contra Jabes-Gileade. Disseram todos os homens de Jabes a Naás: Faze aliança conosco, e te serviremos.2 Respondeu-lhes Naás, amonita: Farei aliança convosco com a condição de vos serem tirados os olhos direitos; assim trarei opróbrio sobre todo o Israel.3 Disseram-lhe os anciãos de Jabes: Concede-nos sete dias, para que enviemos mensageiros por todo o território de Israel; e, não havendo ninguém que nos livre, sairemos a ter contigo.4 Vieram os mensageiros a Gibeá de Saul, e falaram estas palavras aos ouvidos do povo; todo o povo levantou a voz e chorou.5 Eis que Saul vinha do campo atrás dos bois, e perguntou: Que tem o povo para chorar? Referiram-lhe as palavras dos homens de Jabes.6 O espírito de Deus apoderou-se de Saul, quando ouviu estas palavras e acendeu-se grandemente a sua ira.7 Tomou uma junta de bois, cortou-os em pedaços e enviou a todos os termos de Israel por mão de mensageiros que dissessem: Todo aquele que não sair para seguir a Saul e a Samuel, assim se fará aos seus bois. Então caiu o temor do Senhor sobre o povo, e saíram como um só homem.8 Contou-o em Bezeque; e acharam-se trezentos mil homens de Israel e trinta mil de Judá.9 Disseram aos mensageiros que tinham vindo: Assim direis aos homens de Jabes-Gileade: Amanhã quando o sol aquentar, sereis socorridos. Vieram os mensageiros e deram a notícia aos homens de Jabes, que se alegraram,10 e disseram: Amanhã sairemos a ter convosco, e nos fareis tudo o que bem vos parecer.11 Ao outro dia dividiu Saul o povo em três companhias. Na vigília da manhã entraram no meio do arraial, e feriram aos amonitas até que se fez sentir o calor do dia. Os que escaparam foram desmantelados, de sorte que não ficaram deles dois juntos.12 Disse o povo a Saul: Quem são os que diziam: Reinará, porventura, Saul sobre nós? trazei cá os homens, para que os matemos.13 Porém Saul disse: Hoje não se há de matar ninguém, porque no dia de hoje Jeová salvou a Israel.14 Então disse Samuel ao povo: Vinde, e vamos a Gilgal, e renovemos ali o reino.15 Partiu todo o povo para Gilgal; ali em Gilgal constituíram a Saul por seu rei diante de Jeová, ali imolaram sacrifícios de ofertas pacíficas diante de Jeová, e ali muito se alegrou Saul, e todos os homens de Israel.

1 Nahash the Ammonite came up and put his forces in position for attacking Jabesh in Gilead. The men of Jabesh said to Nahash: »Make an agreement with us and we will be your servants.«2 Nahash answered: »I will make a treaty with you on one condition. I will put out everyone’s right eye and so bring disgrace on all Israel.«3 The elders of Jabesh said: »Give us seven days to send messengers throughout the land of Israel. If no one will help us, then we will surrender to you.«4 The messengers arrived at Gibeah where Saul lived. When they told the news, the people started crying in despair.5 Just then Saul came from the field from behind some oxen. »Why are these people crying?« Saul asked. They told him the news about the men of Jabesh.6 When he heard this news, God’s Spirit came over him. He became very angry.7 Saul took a pair of oxen, cut them in pieces, and sent them by messengers throughout the territory of Israel with the following message: »This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel into battle.« The people were afraid of Jehovah. They came out united behind Saul.8 When Saul counted them at Bezek, there were three hundred thousand troops from Israel and thirty thousand troops from Judah.9 They told the messengers: »This is what you are to say to the men of Jabesh in Gilead: ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun gets hot, you will be rescued.’« When the men of Jabesh received the message, they were overjoyed.10 They said to Nahash the Ammonite: »Tomorrow we will surrender to you. You may do to us whatever you think is right.«11 The next day Saul arranged the army in three divisions. They came into the Ammonite camp during the morning hours. They continued to defeat the Ammonites until it got hot that day. The survivors were so scattered that no two of them were left together.12 The people asked Samuel: »Who said: ‘Saul should not rule us?’ Let us have them, and we will kill them.’«13 Saul said: »No man is to be put to death today, for today Jehovah has saved Israel.«14 Then Samuel said to the people: »Come to Gilgal. Let us make the kingdom strong in the hands of Saul.«15 So all the people went to Gilgal. In Gilgal they made Saul king before Jehovah. Peace offerings were offered before Jehovah. Saul and all the men of Israel were glad with great joy.