Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabesh Gilead: and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you. 2Nahash the Ammonite said to them, On this condition will I make it with you, that all your right eyes be put out; and I will lay it for a reproach on all Israel. 3The elders of Jabesh said to him, Give us seven days’ respite, that we may send messengers to all the borders of Israel; and then, if there be none to save us, we will come out to you. 4Then the messengers came to Gibeah of Talut, and spoke these words in the ears of the people: and all the people lifted up their voice, and wept. 5Meanwhile, Talut came following the oxen from the field; and Talut said, What ails the people that they weep? They told him the words of the men of Jabesh. 6The Spirit of God came mightily on Talut when he heard those words, and he became very angry. 7He took a yoke of oxen, and cut them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the borders of Israel by the hand of messengers, saying, Whoever does not come forth after Talut and after Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen. The dread of Allah fell on the people, and they came out as one man. 8Talut numbered them in Bezek; and Bani-Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand. 9They said to the messengers who came, Tell the men of Jabesh Gilead, Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have deliverance. The messengers came and told the men of Jabesh; and they were glad. 10Therefore the men of Jabesh said, Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you shall do with us all that seems good to you. 11It was so on the next day, that Talut put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch, and struck the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it happened, that those who remained were scattered, so that no two of them were left together. 12The people said to Samuel, Who is he who said, Shall Talut reign over us? Bring the men, that we may put them to death. 13Talut said, There shall not a man be put to death this day; for today Allah has worked deliverance in Israel. 14Then Samuel told the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there. 15All the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Talut king before Allah in Gilgal; and there they offered sacrifices of peace-offerings before Allah; and there Talut and all the men of Israel rejoiced very much.