1 Samuel 11:13 kjv
And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel.
1 Samuel 11:13 nkjv
But Saul said, "Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the LORD has accomplished salvation in Israel."
1 Samuel 11:13 niv
But Saul said, "No one will be put to death today, for this day the LORD has rescued Israel."
1 Samuel 11:13 esv
But Saul said, "Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the LORD has worked salvation in Israel."
1 Samuel 11:13 nlt
But Saul replied, "No one will be executed today, for today the LORD has rescued Israel!"
1 Samuel 11 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 3:8 | Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing be on your people! Selah | God is the source of all deliverance. |
| Ps 44:6-7 | For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me. But you have saved us from our foes and put to shame those who hate us. | Victory is from God, not human means. |
| Prov 21:31 | The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord. | Divine sovereignty in warfare outcomes. |
| Exod 14:13 | And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid; stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today..." | God working deliverance for His people. |
| Deut 20:4 | for the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory. | God fights on behalf of His people. |
| 1 Chr 29:11 | Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. | All victory and glory belong to the Lord. |
| Judg 7:7 | The Lord said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men who lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hand..." | God accomplishing deliverance with few. |
| 1 Cor 15:57 | But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. | God as the ultimate giver of victory in Christ. |
| Rom 12:19 | Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” | Prohibits personal vengeance, similar to Saul's act. |
| Prov 24:29 | Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.” | Calls for restraint from retaliation. |
| Matt 5:44 | But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you... | Jesus' teaching on loving opponents. |
| Exod 34:6-7 | The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness...forgiving iniquity... | God's character of mercy and forgiveness. |
| Ps 103:10 | He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. | God's merciful disposition towards sinners. |
| 2 Cor 5:17 | Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. | Spirit of starting anew, letting go of the past. |
| Isa 43:18-19 | “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, will you not perceive it?" | God creating new opportunities and overcoming past failures. |
| Luke 23:34 | And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” | Supreme example of clemency and forgiveness. |
| 1 Sam 10:27 | But some worthless fellows said, “How can this man save us?” And they despised him and brought him no present. | The specific individuals Saul spared. |
| 1 Sam 11:6 | And the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul when he heard these words... | Divine enablement leading to Saul's victory. |
| Gen 50:19-20 | But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good..." | God's sovereign control over human intentions. |
| Prov 16:3 | Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. | Trusting God for outcomes rather than human power. |
1 Samuel 11 verses
1 Samuel 11 13 Meaning
1 Samuel 11:13 records King Saul's immediate and magnanimous declaration following his decisive victory over the Ammonites. Instead of permitting the execution of those who had previously scorned his kingship, Saul proclaimed a universal clemency for that day. He explicitly grounded this act of mercy in a theological truth: the great military success and the salvation of Israel was not by human might or Saul's own prowess, but solely "for today the Lord has worked deliverance in Israel." This act showcased Saul's initial humility, reliance on divine power, and commitment to unify the nation under God's grace rather than human vengeance.
1 Samuel 11 13 Context
Prior to this verse, Saul had been anointed king by Samuel, but his kingship lacked universal affirmation, with some Israelites questioning his legitimacy (1 Sam 10:27). The catalyst for the events in this chapter was Nahash the Ammonite's siege of Jabesh-Gilead, threatening to gouge out the right eyes of its inhabitants. When news reached Gibeah, the Spirit of God "rushed upon" Saul (1 Sam 11:6), empowering him to rally all of Israel, leading to a decisive and overwhelming victory over the Ammonites. In the aftermath, the elated people, desiring to solidify Saul's reign and punish disloyalty, sought to execute those who had initially scoffed at Saul's kingship. Verse 13 is Saul's inspired response to this vengeful proposal, which not only showed political wisdom but primarily demonstrated a deep theological understanding and reliance on the divine hand in their victory.
1 Samuel 11 13 Word analysis
- And Saul said (וַיֹּ֣אמֶר שָׁא֔וּל - vayo'mer sha'ul): This immediately attributes the words of clemency to the newly victorious king. It establishes his authority, though an authority rooted in his spiritual empowerment rather than sheer human might or political maneuvering. This contrasts with what might have been a common reaction for a newly established king in the Ancient Near East to execute rivals.
- “No one shall be put to death (לֹא־יוּמַ֣ת אִ֔ישׁ - lo yumat ish):
- לֹא־ (lo-): The Hebrew negative particle "not," indicating an absolute prohibition.
- יוּמַת (yumat): The Hophal imperfect form of the verb מוּת (mut), "to die." In Hophal, it means "to be caused to die," or "to be put to death." This passive construction emphasizes the action being prevented, highlighting that no human agency should initiate such an act.
- אִ֔ישׁ (ish): "man, anyone, no one." It signifies a comprehensive prohibition against putting any person to death, indicating universal clemency without exception.
- this day (הַיּ֔וֹם - hayyom): This temporal marker emphasizes the significance of the present moment. It's not a general decree of mercy forever, but specific to this day of unprecedented divine action. This makes the day distinct—a day consecrated by God's victory. It signifies a new beginning for Israel and for Saul's kingship.
- for today (כִּי הַיּ֗וֹם - ki hayyom): The particle כִּי (ki) here acts as a causal conjunction, meaning "for, because." It provides the divine justification for Saul's decree, directly linking his act of clemency to the spiritual reality of God's work.
- the Lord (יְהוָ֣ה - YHWH): Refers to the covenant God of Israel, emphasizing that the victory was not of human origin but specifically orchestrated by the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This avoids any attribution of the victory to idols or mere chance.
- has worked (עָשָׂ֣ה - 'asah): This is the Qal perfect form of the verb עָשָׂה ('asah), "to do, to make, to perform." The perfect tense indicates a completed action. God has definitively and effectually performed this act of deliverance.
- deliverance (תְשׁוּעָ֔ה - teshu'ah): This is a key term in the Old Testament, signifying "salvation, rescue, victory, help." It speaks of a decisive and often dramatic act of liberation by God. In this context, it refers specifically to the military triumph over the Ammonites, but it carries the broader theological meaning of divine redemption. This is not just a military win, but a divine intervention that secured freedom and safety for Israel.
- in Israel (בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל - b'yisrael): Specifies the recipients of this deliverance—the entire nation of Israel. It reinforces the idea of national unity under God's saving hand, thereby establishing Saul's kingship over a united people through divine grace.
1 Samuel 11 13 Bonus section
- A "New Beginning" Theology: Saul's declaration establishes the principle that when God delivers His people, a "new beginning" is forged. Old grievances and past offenses, particularly against the newly appointed king, are to be set aside because God's redemptive work overshadows all human animosity. This echoes themes of reconciliation and forgiveness seen later in biblical narrative.
- Divine Vindication: Saul's act of mercy, rooted in God's deliverance, also served as a powerful form of divine vindication for his kingship. Instead of needing to prove his authority through punishment, the sheer magnitude of God's salvation proved him a king by divine favor, making human retaliation not only unnecessary but spiritually inappropriate.
- Theocratic Principle: This verse powerfully illustrates a core theocratic principle: human authority, especially kingly authority in Israel, derived its legitimacy from God's active work and was to operate in alignment with His character, which includes mercy and justice. When Saul honored God as the source of victory, he exemplified the ideal of a king serving under God.
1 Samuel 11 13 Commentary
1 Samuel 11:13 stands as a pivotal moment in the early narrative of King Saul, showcasing his nascent kingship in its finest hour. After a divinely-empowered victory, Saul's response to the popular clamor for vengeance against his detractors demonstrates remarkable wisdom and theological insight. His absolute prohibition of executions on this "day" directly attributes the monumental triumph to the Lord alone, using the key word "deliverance" (teshu'ah), thereby recognizing God as the sole architect of Israel's salvation. This declaration serves multiple critical functions: it affirms Saul's humility and reliance on God's power, deflects any human claim to glory, establishes a tone of grace for his new reign, and most importantly, unifies the nascent kingdom under God's beneficence rather than internal retribution. It marks a moment of pure and righteous leadership under the anointing of the Spirit, reflecting God's own character of mercy even towards those who initially opposed His chosen instrument.