I Samuel 11

vayya'al nakhash ha'ammoni vayyikhan al-yavesh gilad vayyomeru kol-anshe yavesh el-nakhash kerot-lanu verit vena'avdekka

Nahash the Ammonite marched up and besieged Jabesh-gilead. All the people of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a pact with us, and we will serve you.”

vayyomer alehem nakhash ha'ammoni bezot ekhrot lakhem binqor lakhem kol-en yamin vesamtiha kherpah al-kol-yisra'el

But Nahash the Ammonite answered them, “I will make a pact with you on this condition, that every man’s right eye be gouged out; I will make this a humiliation for all Israel.”

vayyomeru elayw ziqne yavesh heref lanu shivat yamim venishlekhah malakhim bekhol gevul yisra'el ve'im-en moshia otanu veyatsanu elekha

The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days’ respite, so that we may send messengers throughout the territory of Israel; if no one comes to our aid, we will surrender to you.”

vayyavo'u hammalakhim givat sha'ul vayedabberu haddevarim be'ozne ha'am vayyisu khol-ha'am et-qolam vayyivku

When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and gave this report in the hearing of the people, all the people broke into weeping.

vehinneh sha'ul ba akhare habbaqar min-hassadeh vayyomer sha'ul mah-lla'am ki yivku vayesapperu-lo et-divre anshe yavesh

Saul was just coming from the field driving the cattle; and Saul asked, “Why are the people crying?” And they told him about the situation of the inhabitants of Jabesh.

vattitslakh ruakh-elohim al-sha'ul (vshmv) [keshomo] et-haddevarim ha'elleh vayyikhar appo me'od

When he heard these things, the spirit of God gripped Saul and his anger blazed up.

vayyiqqakh tsemed baqar vayenattekhehu vayeshallakh bekhol-gevul yisra'el beyad hammalakhim lemor asher enennu yotse akhare sha'ul ve'akhar shemu'el koh ye'aseh livqaro vayyippol pakhad-Adonai al-ha'am vayyetse'u ke'ish ekhad

He took a yoke of oxen and cut them into pieces, which he sent by messengers throughout the territory of Israel, with the warning, “Thus shall be done to the cattle of anyone who does not follow Saul and Samuel into battle!” Terror from GOD fell upon the people, and they came out united.

vayyifqedem bevazeq vayyihyu vene-yisra'el shelosh me'ot elef ve'ish yehudah sheloshim alef

[Saul] mustered them in Bezek: the Israelites numbered 300,000, and Judah’s contingent 30,000.

vayyomeru lammalakhim habba'im koh tomerun le'ish yavesh gilad makhar tihyeh-lakhem teshu'ah (vkhm) [kekhom] hashamesh vayyavo'u hammalakhim vayyaggidu le'anshe yavesh vayyismakhu

The messengers who had come were told, “Thus shall you speak to Jabesh-gilead’s side: Tomorrow, when the sun grows hot, you shall be saved.” When the messengers came and told this to the representatives of Jabesh, they rejoiced.

vayyomeru anshe yavesh makhar netse alekhem va'asitem lanu kekhol-hattov be'enekhem

The representatives of Jabesh then told [the Ammonites], “Tomorrow we will surrender to you, and you can do to us whatever you please.”

vayehi mimmokhorat vayyasem sha'ul et-ha'am sheloshah rashim vayyavo'u vetokh-hammakhaneh be'ashmoret habboqer vayyakku et-ammon ad-khom hayyom vayehi hannisharim vayyafutsu velo nisharu-vam shenayim yakhad

The next day, Saul divided the troops into three columns; at the morning watch they entered the camp and struck down the Ammonites until the day grew hot. The survivors scattered; no two were left together.

vayyomer ha'am el-shemu'el mi ha'omer sha'ul yimlokh alenu tenu ha'anashim unemitem

The people then said to Samuel, “Who was it said, ‘Shall Saul be king over us?’ Hand over those involved—and we will put them to death!”

vayyomer sha'ul lo-yumat ish bayyom hazzeh ki hayyom asah-Adonai teshu'ah beyisra'el

But Saul replied, “Nobody shall be put to death this day! For this day GOD has brought victory to Israel.”

vayyomer shemu'el el-ha'am lekhu venelekhah haggilgal unekhaddesh sham hammelukhah

Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there inaugurate the monarchy.”

vayyelekhu khol-ha'am haggilgal vayyamlikhu sham et-sha'ul lifne Adonai baggilgal vayyizbekhu-sham zevakhim shelamim lifne Adonai vayyismakh sham sha'ul vekhol-anshe yisra'el ad-me'od

So all the people went to Gilgal, and there at Gilgal they declared Saul king before GOD. They offered sacrifices of well-being there before GOD; and Saul and everyone connected with Israel held a great celebration there.