King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 11:11 Mean?

1 Samuel 11:11 in the King James Version says “And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in th...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together.”

1 Samuel 11:11 · King James Version


Context

9

And they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall ye say unto the men of Jabeshgilead , To morrow, by that time the sun be hot, ye shall have help. And the messengers came and shewed it to the men of Jabesh; and they were glad. help: or, deliverance

10

Therefore the men of Jabesh said, To morrow we will come out unto you, and ye shall do with us all that seemeth good unto you.

11

And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together.

12

And the people said unto Samuel, Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death.

13

And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel.


Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the host in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they which remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together.

Saul's tactical brilliance appears in his three-company formation attacking during the 'morning watch' (2-6 AM), achieving complete surprise. The phrase 'slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day' fulfills the promise of verse 9 precisely. That no 'two of them were left together' indicates total victory - the enemy scattered so completely they could not even flee in pairs. This crushing defeat vindicated Israel's God and established Saul's military credentials. Divine empowerment combined with human skill produced overwhelming triumph.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The three-company formation was a standard ancient Near Eastern tactical arrangement allowing for flanking maneuvers and preventing enemy escape. The night march required extraordinary coordination and discipline, demonstrating Saul's emerging military capability. The morning watch attack maximized surprise when enemy vigilance was lowest.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God use both supernatural empowerment and human preparation to accomplish His purposes?
  2. What does complete victory over enemies of God's people teach us about divine deliverance?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.


Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיְהִ֣י1 of 27
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מִֽמָּחֳרָ֗ת2 of 27

“And it was so on the morrow”

H4283

the morrow or (adverbially) tomorrow

וַיָּ֨שֶׂם3 of 27

“put”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

שָׁא֣וּל4 of 27

“that Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

אֶת5 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָעָם֮6 of 27

“the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה7 of 27

“in three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

רָאשִׁים֒8 of 27

“companies”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

וַיָּבֹ֤אוּ9 of 27

“and they came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

בְתוֹךְ10 of 27

“into the midst”

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

הַֽמַּחֲנֶה֙11 of 27

“of the host”

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

בְּאַשְׁמֹ֣רֶת12 of 27

“watch”

H821

a night watch

הַבֹּ֔קֶר13 of 27

“in the morning”

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

וַיַּכּ֥וּ14 of 27

“and slew”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אֶת15 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עַמּ֖וֹן16 of 27

“the Ammonites”

H5983

ammon, a son of lot; also his posterity and their country

עַד17 of 27
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

חֹ֣ם18 of 27

“until the heat”

H2527

heat

הַיּ֑וֹם19 of 27

“of the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

וַיְהִ֤י20 of 27
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

נִשְׁאֲרוּ21 of 27

“and it came to pass that they which remained”

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

וַיָּפֻ֔צוּ22 of 27

“were scattered”

H6327

to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)

וְלֹ֥א23 of 27
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נִשְׁאֲרוּ24 of 27

“and it came to pass that they which remained”

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

בָ֖ם25 of 27
H0
שְׁנַ֥יִם26 of 27

“so that two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

יָֽחַד׃27 of 27

“together”

H3162

properly, a unit, i.e., (adverb) unitedly


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 11:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 11:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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