1 Samuel 11:11
New International Version
The next day Saul separated his men into three divisions; during the last watch of the night they broke into the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

New Living Translation
But before dawn the next morning, Saul arrived, having divided his army into three detachments. He launched a surprise attack against the Ammonites and slaughtered them the whole morning. The remnant of their army was so badly scattered that no two of them were left together.

English Standard Version
And the next day Saul put the people in three companies. And they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch and struck down the Ammonites until the heat of the day. And those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

Berean Standard Bible
The next day Saul organized the troops into three divisions, and during the morning watch they invaded the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them, until the hottest part of the day. And the survivors were so scattered that no two of them were left together.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
So it was, on the next day, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch, and killed Ammonites until the heat of the day. And it happened that those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

New American Standard Bible
The next morning Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the camp at the morning watch, and struck and killed the Ammonites until the heat of the day. And those who survived scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

NASB 1995
The next morning Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the camp at the morning watch and struck down the Ammonites until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

NASB 1977
And it happened the next morning that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the camp at the morning watch, and struck down the Ammonites until the heat of the day. And it came about that those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the next morning Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the camp at the morning watch and struck down the Ammonites until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

Amplified Bible
The next morning Saul put the men into three companies; and they entered the [Ammonites’] camp during the [darkness of the early] morning watch and killed the Ammonites until the heat of the day; and the survivors were scattered, and no two of them were left together.

Christian Standard Bible
The next day Saul organized the troops into three divisions. During the morning watch, they invaded the Ammonite camp and slaughtered them until the heat of the day. There were survivors, but they were so scattered that no two of them were left together.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The next day Saul organized the troops into three divisions. During the morning watch, they invaded the Ammonite camp and slaughtered them until the heat of the day. There were survivors, but they were so scattered that no two of them were left together.

American Standard Version
And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch, and smote the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it came to pass, that they that remained were scattered, so that not two of them were left together.

Contemporary English Version
The next day, Saul divided his army into three groups and attacked before daylight. They started killing Ammonites and kept it up until afternoon. A few Ammonites managed to escape, but they were scattered far from each other.

English Revised Version
And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch, and smote 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The next day Saul arranged the army in three divisions. They came into the [Ammonite] camp during the morning hours and continued to defeat the Ammonites until it got hot that day. The survivors were so scattered that no two of them were left together.

Good News Translation
That night Saul divided his men into three groups, and at dawn the next day they rushed into the enemy camp and attacked the Ammonites. By noon they had slaughtered them. The survivors scattered, each man running off by himself.

International Standard Version
The next day Saul separated the people into three companies. They came into the camp during the morning watch, and struck down the Ammonites until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered so that no two of them remained together.

Majority Standard Bible
The next day Saul organized the troops into three divisions, and during the morning watch they invaded the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them, until the hottest part of the day. And the survivors were so scattered that no two of them were left together.

NET Bible
The next day Saul placed the people in three groups. They went to the Ammonite camp during the morning watch and struck them down until the hottest part of the day. The survivors scattered; no two of them remained together.

New Heart English Bible
It was so on the next day, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch, and struck the Ammonites until the heat of the day: and it happened, that those who remained were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it was so on the morrow, that Saul disposed 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 who remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together.

World English Bible
On the next day, Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the middle of the camp in the morning watch, and struck the Ammonites until the heat of the day. Those who remained were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it comes to pass, on the next day, that Saul puts the people in three detachments, and they come into the midst of the camp in the morning-watch, and strike Ammon until the heat of the day; and it comes to pass that those left are scattered, and there have not been left two of them together.

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass, on the morrow, that Saul putteth the people in three detachments, and they come into the midst of the camp in the morning-watch, and smite Ammon till the heat of the day; and it cometh to pass that those left are scattered, and there have not been left of them two together.

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be on the morrow, and Saul will put the people three heads; and they will come into the midst of the camp in the watch of the morning, and they will strike Ammon till the heat of the day: and there will be those being left and they will be scattered, and two among them were not left together.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And it came to pass, when the morrow was come that Saul put the people in three companies: and he came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch, and he slew the Ammonites until the day grew hot, and the rest were scattered, so that two of them were not left together.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And it happened that, when the next day had arrived, Saul arranged the people into three parts. And he entered into the middle of the camp at the early morning watch, and he struck down the Ammonites until the day grew hot. Then the remainder were dispersed, so much so that not even two of them were left together.

New American Bible
The next day, Saul arranged his troops in three companies and invaded the camp during the dawn watch. They slaughtered Ammonites until the day had gotten hot; by then the survivors were so scattered that no two of them were left together.

New Revised Standard Version
The next day Saul put the people in three companies. At the morning watch they came into the camp and cut down the Ammonites until the heat of the day; and those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And it came to pass, on the next day, Saul divided the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch, and slew the Ammonites until the heat of the day; and those who remained were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And it was the day after and Shaul divided the people into three divisions, and he entered within the camp at the watch of dawn and destroyed the sons of Amon until the day was hot, and those who survived were scattered, and there were not found two of them together
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch, and smote the Ammonites until the heat of the day; and it came to pass, that they that remained were scattered, so that two of them were not left together.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Saul divided the people into three companies, and they go into the midst of the camp in the morning watch, and they smote the children of Ammon until the day was hot; at it came to pass that those who were left were scattered, and there were not left among them two together.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Saul Defeats the Ammonites
10Then the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Tomorrow we will come out, and you can do with us whatever seems good to you.” 11 The next day Saul organized the troops into three divisions, and during the morning watch they invaded the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them, until the hottest part of the day. And the survivors were so scattered that no two of them were left together.

Cross References
Judges 7:16-22
And he divided the three hundred men into three companies and gave each man a ram’s horn in one hand and a large jar in the other, containing a torch. / “Watch me and do as I do,” Gideon said. “When I come to the outskirts of the camp, do exactly as I do. / When I and all who are with me blow our horns, then you are also to blow your horns from all around the camp and shout, ‘For the LORD and for Gideon!’” ...

1 Samuel 10:7
When these signs have come, do as the occasion demands, for God is with you.

1 Samuel 13:4
And all Israel heard the news: “Saul has attacked an outpost of the Philistines, and now Israel has become a stench to the Philistines!” Then the people were summoned to join Saul at Gilgal.

1 Samuel 14:20
Then Saul and all his troops assembled and marched to the battle, and they found the Philistines in total confusion, with each man wielding the sword against his neighbor.

1 Samuel 15:4
So Saul summoned the troops and numbered them at Telaim—200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men of Judah.

1 Samuel 17:47
And all those assembled here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give all of you into our hands.”

1 Samuel 18:5
So David marched out and prospered in everything Saul sent him to do, and Saul set him over the men of war. And this was pleasing in the sight of all the people, and of Saul’s officers as well.

2 Samuel 10:9-14
When Joab saw the battle lines before him and behind him, he selected some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans. / And he placed the rest of the troops under the command of his brother Abishai, who arrayed them against the Ammonites. / “If the Arameans are too strong for me,” said Joab, “then you will come to my rescue. And if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come to your rescue. ...

2 Samuel 23:8-12
These are the names of David’s mighty men: Josheb-basshebeth the Tahchemonite was chief of the Three. He wielded his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed at one time. / Next in command was Eleazar son of Dodo the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he went with David to taunt the Philistines who had gathered for battle at Pas-dammim. The men of Israel retreated, / but Eleazar stood his ground and struck the Philistines until his hand grew weary and stuck to his sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day. Then the troops returned to him, but only to plunder the dead. ...

2 Kings 3:24
But when the Moabites came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites rose up and attacked them, and they fled before them. So the Israelites invaded their land and struck down the Moabites.

2 Chronicles 20:17
You need not fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out and face them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you.’”

Isaiah 41:15-16
Behold, I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth. You will thresh the mountains and crush them, and reduce the hills to chaff. / You will winnow them, and a wind will carry them away; a gale will scatter them. But you will rejoice in the LORD; you will glory in the Holy One of Israel.

Matthew 12:25
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.

Mark 3:24-25
If a kingdom is divided against itself, it cannot stand. / If a house is divided against itself, it cannot stand.

Luke 11:17
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and a house divided against a house will fall.


Treasury of Scripture

And it was so on the morrow, that Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the middle 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.

on the morrow

Genesis 22:14
And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.

Psalm 46:1
To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

in three

Judges 7:16
And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the pitchers.

Judges 9:43
And he took the people, and divided them into three companies, and laid wait in the field, and looked, and, behold, the people were come forth out of the city; and he rose up against them, and smote them.

morning

1 Samuel 11:2
And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that I may thrust out all your right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.

Judges 1:7
And Adonibezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.

Matthew 7:2
For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

so that two

1 Samuel 30:17,18
And David smote them from the twilight even unto the evening of the next day: and there escaped not a man of them, save four hundred young men, which rode upon camels, and fled…

Judges 4:16
But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left.

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Ammonites Camp Companies Disposed Heat Host Midst Morning Morrow Saul Scattered Slew Smote Struck Three Together Watch
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Ammonites Camp Companies Disposed Heat Host Midst Morning Morrow Saul Scattered Slew Smote Struck Three Together Watch
1 Samuel 11
1. Nahash offers them of Jabesh Gilead a reproachful condition
4. They send messengers, and are delivered by Saul
12. Saul thereby is confirmed, and his kingdom renewed














The next day Saul organized the troops into three divisions
Saul's leadership is evident as he takes decisive action to organize the troops. This reflects the military strategies seen in other parts of the Old Testament, such as Gideon's division of his men in Judges 7:16. The number three often symbolizes completeness and divine perfection in the Bible, suggesting that Saul's plan was divinely inspired. This moment marks Saul's first major military campaign as king, highlighting his role as a leader chosen by God.

and during the morning watch they invaded the camp of the Ammonites
The morning watch refers to the last third of the night, from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m., a time when enemies would be least prepared for an attack. This strategic timing shows Saul's wisdom and understanding of warfare. The Ammonites, descendants of Lot (Genesis 19:38), were long-standing enemies of Israel, often representing opposition to God's people. This invasion signifies a turning point where Israel begins to assert itself against its oppressors.

and slaughtered them, until the hottest part of the day
The phrase indicates a complete and overwhelming victory for Saul and the Israelites. The battle lasting until the hottest part of the day suggests both the intensity and the thoroughness of the conflict. This victory can be seen as a fulfillment of God's promise to deliver His people from their enemies, as seen in Deuteronomy 20:4. It also foreshadows the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death.

And the survivors were so scattered that no two of them were left together
This scattering of the Ammonites signifies a total rout, emphasizing the completeness of Israel's victory. It reflects the biblical theme of God scattering His enemies, as seen in Psalm 68:1. The disarray among the Ammonites can be seen as a divine intervention, ensuring that they could not regroup or pose a future threat. This scattering also prefigures the final defeat of all opposition to God's kingdom, as prophesied in Revelation.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Saul
The first king of Israel, chosen by God and anointed by the prophet Samuel. In this passage, he demonstrates leadership and military strategy.

2. The Ammonites
A neighboring nation often in conflict with Israel. They were led by Nahash, who threatened the people of Jabesh-gilead.

3. Jabesh-gilead
A city in Israel that was under siege by the Ammonites. The people of Jabesh-gilead sent messengers to Saul for help.

4. The Israelites
The people of God, who were united under Saul's leadership to defend their fellow Israelites in Jabesh-gilead.

5. The Morning Watch
A time reference indicating the early hours of the morning, a strategic time for launching a surprise attack.
Teaching Points
God’s Empowerment for Leadership
Saul’s ability to organize and lead the troops effectively is a reminder that God equips those He calls. We should seek God’s guidance and strength in our leadership roles.

Unity in the Body of Christ
The Israelites came together to defend Jabesh-gilead, illustrating the importance of unity among believers. We are called to support and defend one another in times of need.

Strategic Action in Spiritual Warfare
Just as Saul used strategy in battle, we are called to be wise and strategic in our spiritual battles, using the armor of God as described in Ephesians 6.

God’s Deliverance
The victory over the Ammonites is a testament to God’s faithfulness in delivering His people. We can trust in God’s promises and His power to save us from our adversaries.

The Importance of Obedience
Saul’s success was rooted in his obedience to God’s calling. Our victories in life are often tied to our willingness to follow God’s instructions.(11) The morning watch.--The morning watch was the last of the three watches, each lasting for four hours; this was the old Hebrew division of the night. Thus the first onslaught of the men of Israel under Saul would have taken place some time between two and six a.m. The battle, and subsequent rout of Ammon, continued evidently for many hours.

Verse 11. - They came.., in the morning watch. By a forced march Saul came upon the unsuspecting Ammonites just before daybreak, when sleep is deepest; and as his host was unwieldy, he arranged it in three divisions, assigning to each a different route, that they might not impede one another on the way, and might also cut off the retreat of the enemy. As the fighting went on for five or six hours, until the heat of the day, the Ammonites must at first have made some resistance; but when all three divisions of Saul's army had come up, they were so utterly routed that "no two of them were left together."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The next day
מִֽמָּחֳרָ֗ת (mim·mā·ḥo·rāṯ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4283: The morrow, tomorrow

Saul
שָׁא֣וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

organized
וַיָּ֨שֶׂם (way·yā·śem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set

the troops
הָעָם֮ (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

into three
שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה (šə·lō·šāh)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

divisions,
רָאשִׁים֒ (rā·šîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7218: The head

and during the morning
הַבֹּ֔קֶר (hab·bō·qer)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1242: Dawn, morning

watch
בְּאַשְׁמֹ֣רֶת (bə·’aš·mō·reṯ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 821: A night watch

they invaded
וַיָּבֹ֤אוּ (way·yā·ḇō·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

the camp
הַֽמַּחֲנֶה֙ (ham·ma·ḥă·neh)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 4264: An encampment, an army

of the Ammonites
עַמּ֖וֹן (‘am·mō·wn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5983: Ammon -- a people living East of the Jordan

and slaughtered
וַיַּכּ֥וּ (way·yak·kū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5221: To strike

them until
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

the hottest part
חֹ֣ם (ḥōm)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2527: Heat

of the day.
הַיּ֑וֹם (hay·yō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

And
וַיְהִ֤י (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

the survivors
הַנִּשְׁאָרִים֙ (han·niš·’ā·rîm)
Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7604: To swell up, be, redundant

were so scattered
וַיָּפֻ֔צוּ (way·yā·p̄u·ṣū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6327: To be dispersed or scattered

that no
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

two
שְׁנַ֥יִם (šə·na·yim)
Number - md
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

of them
בָ֖ם (ḇām)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 0: 0

were left
נִשְׁאֲרוּ־ (niš·’ă·rū-)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 7604: To swell up, be, redundant

together.
יָֽחַד׃ (yā·ḥaḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 3162: A unit, unitedly


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OT History: 1 Samuel 11:11 It was so on the next day (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
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