1 Samuel 11 8

1 Samuel 11:8 kjv

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

1 Samuel 11:8 nkjv

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

1 Samuel 11:8 niv

When Saul mustered them at Bezek, the men of Israel numbered three hundred thousand and those of Judah thirty thousand.

1 Samuel 11:8 esv

When he mustered them at Bezek, the people of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.

1 Samuel 11:8 nlt

When Saul mobilized them at Bezek, he found that there were 300,000 men from Israel and 30,000 men from Judah.

1 Samuel 11 verses

1 Samuel 11 8 Meaning

1 Samuel 11:8 records the successful mobilization of Israel and Judah under King Saul's command in response to the Ammonite threat against Jabesh-Gilead. It details the massive numerical strength gathered at Bezek, showcasing the newfound unity of the tribes and Saul's emerging leadership empowered by God's Spirit, which compelled such a rapid and widespread response to a plea for help from their kinsmen across the Jordan.

1 Samuel 11 8 Context

1 Samuel 11 details Saul's first major act as king, which legitimizes his leadership in the eyes of the people. Following Nahash the Ammonite's threat to the people of Jabesh-Gilead (verses 1-3) and their desperate plea for help (verses 4-5), a righteous indignation filled Saul when the Spirit of God rushed upon him (verse 6). This divine empowerment propelled him to issue a powerful call to arms by cutting a yoke of oxen into pieces and sending them throughout Israel (verse 7). The response recorded in verse 8 marks the immediate success of this unprecedented mobilization. The muster at Bezek directly precedes Saul's decisive victory over the Ammonites, solidifying his role as Israel's deliverer and anointed king, particularly among those who previously doubted him (1 Sam 10:27).

1 Samuel 11 8 Word analysis

• Saul (שָׁאוּל, Sha’ul): Refers to the newly designated king of Israel. This act of mustering signifies his proactive step into the role of military leader, moving from a hesitant individual (1 Sam 10:22) to a divinely empowered commander. This is his first recorded major act of leadership, showcasing his obedient response to God's Spirit.
• mustered them (וַיִּפְקְדֵם, vayyiphk'dem): From the verb פָּקַד (paqad), meaning to visit, inspect, number, appoint, or muster. It denotes an official review or census for a military purpose. It emphasizes Saul's authoritative role and the orderly nature of the assembly, rather than a mere spontaneous gathering. This action highlights his administrative capacity as king.
• in Bezek (בְּבָזֶק, b'Vazek): A location not frequently mentioned in the Bible. It was likely a well-known assembly point in central or eastern Cisjordan, possibly strategically chosen for its proximity to both Israelite population centers and Jabesh-Gilead, allowing for rapid deployment. The Septuagint for 1 Samuel 11:11 identifies a route from Bezek. Its specific strategic value might have been its open terrain suitable for mustering large forces, or its position on a key ancient road.
• the number of the people of Israel (מִסְפַּר בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל, mispar b’nēy-Yisra'el): Refers to the men able to bear arms, from the tribes predominantly north of Judah. The phrase "people of Israel" generally refers to the larger body of the northern tribes. The count signifies the vast turnout and unity in response to the Ammonite threat. This represents the fulfillment of Saul's mandate as king to unite and lead.
• three hundred thousand (שְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת אֶלֶף, sh'losh me’ôt eleph): An exceptionally large number for an ancient army, suggesting not just human power but divine intervention in inspiring such a rapid and unified turnout across dispersed tribes. While biblical numbers for armies can sometimes be symbolic or indicate vastness, this magnitude emphasizes the unprecedented national response. This number underscores the immediate popular endorsement and success of Saul’s leadership in his initial challenge.
• and the men of Judah (וְאִישׁ יְהוּדָה, w'ish Y'hudah): Judah is specifically enumerated, distinct from "Israel," reflecting its geographical and cultural distinctiveness. Even in this early period, there is an implicit acknowledgment of Judah as a separate, albeit allied, entity, which foreshadows the later political division of the kingdom. However, at this point, their unity is paramount.
• thirty thousand (שְׁלֹשִׁים אָלֶף, sh'loshim aleph): A significant number from Judah. This combined force of 330,000 demonstrates a powerful, unified national response to aggression, demonstrating the initial strength of Saul's kingdom and the tribes' willingness to stand together under his divinely appointed authority. This cooperation indicates a powerful display of early national cohesion before later divisions.

1 Samuel 11 8 Bonus section

The specific numbers, 300,000 for Israel and 30,000 for Judah, are proportionally consistent with later records of the size difference between the two kingdoms when they split, lending historical plausibility to the biblical account while still pointing to a remarkable divinely enabled turnout. Some ancient texts, like the Septuagint, present slightly different numbers for Israel (e.g., 600,000 instead of 300,000), but the message of overwhelming national unity and strength under Saul remains consistent across traditions. This collective action contrasts sharply with the earlier periods of the Judges, where often only a few tribes responded to threats (e.g., Judg 5).

1 Samuel 11 8 Commentary

1 Samuel 11:8 is a pivotal verse establishing Saul's legitimacy and the newfound unity of Israel. The sheer scale of the assembled force at Bezek (330,000 men) is astounding, a direct testament to the Spirit of God moving not only Saul but also the entire nation. This was no ordinary mustering; the urgency (implied by the speed of response to the severed oxen) and the widespread participation underscore the depth of national crisis and the effectiveness of Saul’s God-given leadership. The distinct mention of "Israel" and "Judah" for the first time in a numerical count for military purposes is significant, subtly highlighting tribal distinctiveness even as they unite under one king. This successful mobilization represents Israel's transition from fragmented tribal confederacy to a more unified kingdom under Saul's early rule. It sets the stage for Saul's first triumphant military campaign, validating his kingship through a display of divinely enabled power and unity.