King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 11:5 Mean?

1 Samuel 11:5 in the King James Version says “And, behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field; and Saul said, What aileth the people that they weep? And they t...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

1 Samuel 11:5 · KJV

Context

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.

6

And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.

7

And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the coasts of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen. And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out with one consent. with: Heb. as one man

Read 1 Samuel 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

The detail that Saul 'came after the herd out of the field' emphasizes his humble circumstances despite his anointing. He had not yet assumed royal duties but continued his ordinary agricultural work. This image of the farmer-king recalls Cincinnatus of Rome and anticipates David the shepherd-king. Saul's question 'What aileth the people?' shows he was not present when the messengers arrived, underscoring the providential timing of his return at this precise moment.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Cattle herding was a primary occupation in the hill country of Benjamin. Saul's continued agricultural work after his anointing reflects the gradual nature of his assumption of royal authority. Unlike later Israelite kings, Saul had no palace, court, or standing army at this point.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Saul's humble work ethic before assuming power instruct leaders today?
  2. In what ways does God prepare His servants through ordinary labor before calling them to greater tasks?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְהִנֵּ֣ה1 of 19
H2009

lo!

שָׁא֔וּל2 of 19

“And behold Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

בָּ֣א3 of 19

“came”

H935

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

אַֽחֲרֵ֤י4 of 19

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

הַבָּקָר֙5 of 19

“the herd”

H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

מִן6 of 19
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַשָּׂדֶ֔ה7 of 19

“out of the field”

H7704

a field (as flat)

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר8 of 19

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שָׁא֔וּל9 of 19

“And behold Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

מַה10 of 19
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

לָּעָ֖ם11 of 19

“What aileth the people”

H5971

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

כִּ֣י12 of 19
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יִבְכּ֑וּ13 of 19

“that they weep”

H1058

to weep; generally to bemoan

וַיְסַ֨פְּרוּ14 of 19

“And they told”

H5608

properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra

ל֔וֹ15 of 19
H0
אֶת16 of 19
H853

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

דִּבְרֵ֖י17 of 19

“him the tidings”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

אַנְשֵׁ֥י18 of 19

“of the men”

H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

יָבֵֽישׁ׃19 of 19

“of Jabesh”

H3003

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

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 11:5 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 11:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 19:19Genesis 21:17Isaiah 22:11 Samuel 9:1Judges 18:23Psalms 78:71

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 →

Test Your Knowledge

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