The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1935-08-08
Saul OverthrOws Nahash, The
AmmOnite

From Rabbath-Ammon, his capital,
a city at the headwaters of the Jabbok,
twenty-three miles east of the Jordan,
came Nahash, a sheik of the Ammon-
ties, and encamped against Jabesh-
Gilead. This placed his army east of
the Jordan, and about as far from
Jerusalem as before Nahash began
his march. However it was a distinct
threat against the peace of Israel, and
would have called for armed resistance
even though the Ammonites had re-
Trained from any other hostile demon
stration. The men of Jabesh, however,
seeing themselves hopeiessly outnum-
bered as well as outmanouevered, said
unto Nahash, make a covenant with
US, and we will serve thee" This was
tantamount to voluntary slavery. But
Nahash, not content with reducing
this group to a state of serfdOm, an
swered them in this wise: "On this
condition will l make a covenant with
you, that l may thrust out all your
right eyes, and lay it for a reproach
upon all Israel" A more cruel or das-
tardly proposal to say nothing of the
gratuitous insult to the entire nation
could scarcely be imagined. Horror
stricken and we'll night paralyzed by
such a demand the elders of Jabesh
requested seven days respite, in order
to send messengers unto all the coasts
of Israel, hoping to find some who
might come to their aid, and promising
to yield themselves to Nahash at the
end of the week, should not help come
from their brethren.
When these messengers arrived at
Gibeah, SauPs city, and told the It'd
ings in the ears of the people there
was universal mourning.
About this time Saul returned from
the meadows, driving his herd toward
the Carol for the night, and observing
the atmosphere of mourning, asked:
What aileth the people that they
weep" And they told him the tidings
of the men of Jabesh. And when Saul
heard these tidings his anger was
kindled greatly.
Taking yoke of oxen from his own
herd he hewed them to pieces and sent
a piece to each of the tribes with this
command: "Whosoever cometh not
forth after Saul and after Samuel, so
shall be done with his oxen. And the
fear of the Lord fell on the people,
and they came with one consent"
Those were not easy days for the con-
scientious objector.
Saul's "oXgram" met with such
hearty response that he found himself
at the head of an army of 100000 men.
The messengers from Jabesh-Gilead
were told that on the morrow, by the
time the sun grew hot, they should
have help. They fastened back to
Jabesh with the glad tidings. So it
happened on the morrow that Saul, at
lacking the Ammorites from three
sides simultaneously destroyed them
with great slaughter, scattering so
completely the few who escaped the
sword that no two of them were left
together.
The people were so excited by this
signal victory and so proud of Saul's
success that they wished to show
their loyalty by Staying all who had
spoken disparagingly of the son of
Kish. But Saul said, There shall not a |
man be put to death this day: for to-
day the Lord hath wrought salvation |
to Israel" Then said Samuel to the |
people: "Come let us go to Gilgal, and
renew the kingdom there" And all the |
people went to Gilgal, and then they |
crowned Saul king, offering sacrifices
to the Lord, and rejoicing greatly be- |
cause of His great deliverance.