Then Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh-gilead, and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
It’s striking how quickly the people of Jabesh-gilead turn to a treaty of servitude, revealing a deep fear that makes them willing to trade their freedom for perceived safety under an oppressor. This immediate jump to submission shows a desire to appease Nahash rather than stand firm or seek divine help, a common human tendency when facing overwhelming threats.
Then Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh-gilead, and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Right before this, Saul has just been anointed king, but his authority isn't widely recognized yet. Now, an enemy king, Nahash, is making a bold move, threatening a town in Israel. The people of Jabesh-gilead, desperate and feeling abandoned, are looking for a way to survive by submitting to the Ammonites, setting the stage for Saul's first real test as king.
A new enemy emerges, bringing immediate crisis. This isn't just a border skirmish; it's a direct challenge to Israel's peace.
The story opens with a stark declaration of war. Nahash, the Ammonite king, launches an unprovoked attack on Jabesh-gilead. This act of aggression sets the stage for Saul's rise to kingship.
The Nature of the Attack
Nahash didn't just want to conquer; he intended to humiliate and subjugate. His demand, which we'll see later, was exceptionally cruel, aiming to dehumanize the Israelites by gouging out their right eyes. This wasn't a typical act of warfare; it was a deliberate attempt to break their spirit and their ability to fight as a people.
The Plea for Survival
Faced with overwhelming force, the people of Jabesh-gilead choose a path of appeasement. Their desperate plea, 'Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you,' reflects a fundamental choice: to surrender their autonomy in exchange for their lives. It’s a pragmatic decision born out of fear, but it sets a dangerous precedent.
The words 'we will serve you' sound obedient, but is this the kind of service God desires?
The people of Jabesh-gilead offer to 'serve' Nahash. This word 'serve' can have many meanings. In this context, it's not about willing devotion or faithful obedience as one might serve a righteous king or God. It's about forced submission.
Service Under Duress
Their offer is made under the extreme pressure of a siege. It's a bargain for survival, not a declaration of loyalty. This is the kind of 'service' that comes from coercion and fear, stripping away dignity and self-determination.
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The Contrast with God's Service
In the Bible, true service is usually voluntary and rooted in love and faithfulness. God calls His people to serve Him, but this service is empowering and liberating. The 'service' offered to Nahash is the opposite – it leads to oppression and humiliation. This highlights a crucial difference between serving out of love and being enslaved by fear.
Understand the original words
berith · Hebrew Noun
A term used for a covenant or agreement, often involving conditions or obligations between parties; in this context, it implies a submission to vassalage.
abad · Hebrew Verb
A term indicating the status of being a bondservant or subject; serving as a vassal to a superior power, involving labor, tribute, or political submission.
This event highlights the precarious geopolitical situation of early Israel, surrounded by hostile neighbors, which directly contributed to the need for and acceptance of centralized monarchy under Saul.
c. 1050 BC
Saul Anointed King
Samuel, the prophet and judge, anoints Saul as the first king of Israel, marking a significant shift from the period of the Judges to monarchy.
c. 1030 BC
Philistine Dominance
The Philistines exert strong control over Israel, limiting their military and technological development and often engaging in conflict.
c. 1030 BC— this verse
Siege of Jabesh-gilead
Nahash the Ammonite king besieges the Israelite city of Jabesh-gilead, demanding harsh terms for surrender.
c. 1030 BC
Saul's Rise to Power
In response to the brutal actions of Nahash, Saul rallies Israelite tribes, defeats the Ammonites, and secures his kingship.
c. 1020 BC
Continued Conflict with Philistines
Saul's reign is marked by ongoing struggles against the Philistines, a testament to the ongoing regional instability.
This passage shows the Ammonites oppressing Israel in a similar way, highlighting a recurring pattern of conflict and judgment due to Israel's unfaithfulness.
Judges 11:4-33This details Jephthah's confrontation with the Ammonites, revealing a deep-seated animosity and showing how Israel's actions often led to such hostile encounters.
2 Samuel 10:1-5This passage describes a later instance of Ammonite aggression against David's messengers, demonstrating that the insult and mistreatment shown by the Ammonites were not isolated incidents but a consistent pattern of disrespect towards God's people.
Jeremiah 49:1-6This prophecy against the Ammonites echoes the themes of their arrogance and impending judgment, connecting their historical actions to God's ultimate justice.
It’s striking how quickly the people of Jabesh-gilead turn to a treaty of servitude, revealing a deep fear that makes them willing to trade their freedom for perceived safety under an oppressor. This immediate jump to submission shows a desire to appease Nahash rather than stand firm or seek divine help, a common human tendency when facing overwhelming threats.
Right before this, Saul has just been anointed king, but his authority isn't widely recognized yet. Now, an enemy king, Nahash, is making a bold move, threatening a town in Israel. The people of Jabesh-gilead, desperate and feeling abandoned, are looking for a way to survive by submitting to the Ammonites, setting the stage for Saul's first real test as king.
Right before this, Saul has just been anointed king, but his authority isn't widely recognized yet. Now, an enemy king, Nahash, is making a bold move, threatening a town in Israel. The people of Jabesh-gilead, desperate and feeling abandoned, are looking for a way to survive by submitting to the Ammonites, setting the stage for Saul's first real test as king.
"Then Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh-gilead, and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.”" — It’s striking how quickly the people of Jabesh-gilead turn to a treaty of servitude, revealing a deep fear that makes them willing to trade their freedom for perceived safety under an oppressor. This…
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Last reviewed October 2026