Behold, Saul came following the oxen out of the field; and Saul said, What ails the people that they weep? They told him the words of the men of Jabesh.
"He sent throughout all the territory of Israel by the hand of messengers"  (1 Samuel 11:7).  How could Saul have done this, unless he had been selected king by the casting of lots at Mizpah?  No critic has ever dared to answer that question.  This could have happened only after Saul had been formally appointed king of Israel at Mizpah.  Who were these messengers? They were most certainly from that group mentioned in the previous chapter, "Saul went to his home in Gibeah, and with him went men of valor whose hearts the Lord had touched."   (1 Samuel 10:26).