1. About a month later, Nahash the Ammonite went up and laid siege to Jabesh-gilead. All the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, "Make a treaty with us, and we’ll be your servants."
2. "I will make a treaty with you on one condition: that everyone’s right eye be gouged out!" Nahash the Ammonite said to them. "That’s how I bring humiliation on all Israel."
3. The elders of Jabesh replied to him, "Leave us alone for seven days so we can send messengers thoughout Israel’s territory. If there’s no one to save us, then we’ll surrender to you."
4. When the messengers reached Gibeah where Saul lived, they reported the news directly to the people there. Then they all wept aloud.
5. At just that moment, Saul was coming back from keeping the cattle in the fields. "What’s wrong with everybody?" he asked. "Why are they crying?" Saul was then told what the men from Jabesh had said.
6. God’s spirit came over Saul when he heard those words, and he burned with anger.
7. He took two oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent them by messengers throughout Israel’s territory. "This is exactly what will be done to the oxen of anyone who doesn’t come to the aid of Saul and Samuel," he said. Great fear of the Lord came over the people, and they came to Saul completely unified.