King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 11:9 Mean?

1 Samuel 11:9 in the King James Version says “And they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall ye say unto the men of Jabeshgilead , To morrow, by that time th...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

1 Samuel 11:9 · KJV

Context

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

8

And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.

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.

Read 1 Samuel 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall ye say unto the men of Jabesh-gilead, 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.

The confident message promising deliverance 'by that time the sun be hot' demonstrates faith transformed into action. What began as impossible - a relief force materializing within seven days - becomes certainty through Spirit-empowered leadership. The timing 'by the heat of the day' indicates a morning attack, utilizing the element of surprise and the sun's position for tactical advantage. The men of Jabesh 'were glad,' their hope vindicated and their faith rewarded.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Military campaigns in the ancient Near East typically began at dawn to avoid midday heat and maximize daylight hours. The promise of deliverance during the morning heat suggests the main battle would conclude before noon, allowing pursuit of the routed enemy through the afternoon.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does faith in God's promises enable confident action in seemingly impossible circumstances?
  2. When has God turned your despair into joy through unexpected deliverance?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
תֹֽאמְרוּן֙1 of 20

“And they said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הַמַּלְאָכִ֗ים2 of 20

“And the messengers”

H4397

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

וַיָּבֹ֣אוּ3 of 20

“came”

H935

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

כֹּ֤ה4 of 20
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

תֹֽאמְרוּן֙5 of 20

“And they said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לְאַנְשֵׁ֥י6 of 20

“unto the men”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

יָבֵ֖ישׁ7 of 20

“of Jabesh”

H3003

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

גִּלְעָ֔ד8 of 20
H1568

gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites

מָחָ֛ר9 of 20

“To morrow”

H4279

properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter

תִּֽהְיֶֽה10 of 20
H1961

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

לָכֶ֥ם11 of 20
H0
תְּשׁוּעָ֖ה12 of 20

“ye shall have help”

H8668

rescue (literal or figurative, persons, national or spiritual)

בְּחֹ֣ם13 of 20

“be hot”

H2527

heat

הַשָּׁ֑מֶשׁ14 of 20

“by that time the sun”

H8121

the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement

וַיָּבֹ֣אוּ15 of 20

“came”

H935

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

הַמַּלְאָכִ֗ים16 of 20

“And the messengers”

H4397

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

וַיַּגִּ֛ידוּ17 of 20

“and shewed”

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

לְאַנְשֵׁ֥י18 of 20

“unto the men”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

יָבֵ֖ישׁ19 of 20

“of Jabesh”

H3003

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

וַיִּשְׂמָֽחוּ׃20 of 20

“and they were glad”

H8055

probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome

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 11:9 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 11:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 18:17

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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