King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 11:3 Mean?

1 Samuel 11:3 in the King James Version says “And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days' respite, that we may send messengers unto all the coasts of ...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days' respite, that we may send messengers unto all the coasts of Israel: and then, if there be no man to save us, we will come out to thee. Give: Heb. Forbear us”

1 Samuel 11:3 · KJV

Salvation

Context

1

Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabeshgilead : and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee.

2

And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.

3

And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days' respite, that we may send messengers unto all the coasts of Israel: and then, if there be no man to save us, we will come out to thee. Give: Heb. Forbear us

4

Then came the messengers to Gibeah of Saul, and told the tidings in the ears of the people: and all the people lifted up their voices, and wept.

5

And, behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field; and Saul said, What aileth the people that they weep? And they told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh.

Read 1 Samuel 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days' respite, that we may send messengers unto all the coasts of Israel: and then, if there be no man to save us, we will come out to thee.

The elders' request for seven days reveals both their desperate straits and, remarkably, Nahash's overconfidence. That he grants this respite suggests his certainty that no help would come - a miscalculation rooted in his underestimation of Israel's God. The appeal to 'all the coasts of Israel' represents a final desperate hope that the scattered tribes might unite. This moment exposes the fundamental weakness of the pre-monarchical period: no central authority existed to coordinate national defense.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The seven-day period allowed messengers to travel throughout Israel. The fragmented nature of the tribal confederation meant military response required voluntary cooperation. The period of judges had seen repeated failures of inter-tribal unity (Judges 5:15-17).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God sometimes use desperate situations to accomplish His purposes?
  2. When has an enemy's overconfidence led to their downfall in your experience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיֹּֽאמְר֨וּ1 of 19

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֵלָ֜יו2 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

זִקְנֵ֣י3 of 19

“And the elders”

H2205

old

יָבֵ֗ישׁ4 of 19

“of Jabesh”

H3003

jobesh, the name of an israelite and of a place in palestine

הֶ֤רֶף5 of 19

“respite”

H7503

to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)

לָ֙נוּ֙6 of 19
H0
שִׁבְעַ֣ת7 of 19

“unto him Give us seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

יָמִ֔ים8 of 19

“days”

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

וְנִשְׁלְחָה֙9 of 19

“that we may send”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

מַלְאָכִ֔ים10 of 19

“messengers”

H4397

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

בְּכֹ֖ל11 of 19
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

גְּב֣וּל12 of 19

“unto all the coasts”

H1366

properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל13 of 19

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְאִם14 of 19
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

אֵ֥ין15 of 19
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מוֹשִׁ֛יעַ16 of 19

“and then if there be no man to save”

H3467

properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor

אֹתָ֖נוּ17 of 19
H853

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

וְיָצָ֥אנוּ18 of 19

“us we will come out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

אֵלֶֽיךָ׃19 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

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 11:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Places in This Verse

Jabesh-gileadSettlement · Modern: Tell el Maqlub · 32.40°N, 35.68°E20 verses across 4 books
View all places in 1 Samuel 11 →

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