Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days so we can send messengers throughout Israel; if no one comes to rescue us, we will surrender to you.” New Living Translation “Give us seven days to send messengers throughout Israel!” replied the elders of Jabesh. “If no one comes to save us, we will agree to your terms.” English Standard Version The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days’ respite that we may send messengers through all the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to save us, we will give ourselves up to you.” Berean Standard Bible “Hold off for seven days,” replied the elders of Jabesh, “and let us send messengers throughout Israel. If there is no one to save us, we will surrender to you.” King James Bible And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days' respite, that we may send messengers unto all the coasts of Israel: and then, if there be no man to save us, we will come out to thee. New King James Version Then the elders of Jabesh said to him, “Hold off for seven days, that we may send messengers to all the territory of Israel. And then, if there is no one to save us, we will come out to you.” New American Standard Bible So the elders of Jabesh said to him, “Allow us seven days to send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to save us, we will come out to you.” NASB 1995 The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Let us alone for seven days, that we may send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to deliver us, we will come out to you.” NASB 1977 And the elders of Jabesh said to him, “Let us alone for seven days, that we may send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to deliver us, we will come out to you.” Legacy Standard Bible Then the elders of Jabesh said to him, “Let us alone for seven days, that we may send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to save us, we will come out to you.” Amplified Bible The elders of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Give us seven days so that we may send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to save us, we will come out [and surrender] to you.” Christian Standard Bible “Don’t do anything to us for seven days,” the elders of Jabesh said to him, “and let us send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. If no one saves us, we will surrender to you.” Holman Christian Standard Bible “Don’t do anything to us for seven days,” the elders of Jabesh said to him, “and let us send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. If no one saves us, we will surrender to you.” American Standard Version And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days' respite, that we may send messengers unto all the borders of Israel; and then, if there be none to save us, we will come out to thee. Contemporary English Version The town leaders said, "Give us seven days so we can send messengers everywhere in Israel to ask for help. If no one comes here to save us, we will surrender to you." English Revised Version And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days' respite, that we may send messengers unto all the borders of Israel: and then, if there be none to save us, we will come out to thee. GOD'S WORD® Translation The leaders of Jabesh told him, "Give us seven days so that we can send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. And if there's no one to save us, we'll surrender to you." Good News Translation The leaders of Jabesh said, "Give us seven days to send messengers throughout the land of Israel. If no one will help us, then we will surrender to you." International Standard Version The elders of Jabesh told him, "Leave us alone for seven days so that we may send messengers through all the territory of Israel. Then if no one delivers us, we will come out to you and surrender." NET Bible The elders of Jabesh said to him, "Leave us alone for seven days so that we can send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. If there is no one who can deliver us, we will come out voluntarily to you." New Heart English Bible The elders of Jabesh said to him, "Give us seven days, that we may send messengers to all the borders of Israel; and then, if there is no one to save us, we will come out to you." Webster's Bible Translation And the elders of Jabesh said to him, Give us seven days respit, that we may send messengers to all the borders of Israel: and then, if there is no man to save us, we will come out to thee. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“Hold off for seven days,” replied the elders of Jabesh, “and let us send messengers throughout Israel. If there is no one to save us, we will surrender to you.” World English Bible The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days, that we may send messengers to all the borders of Israel; and then, if there is no one to save us, we will come out to you.” Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd [the] elderly of Jabesh say to him, “Leave us alone [for] seven days, and we send messengers into all the border of Israel: and if there is none saving us—then we have come out to you.” Young's Literal Translation And the elders of Jabesh say to him, 'Let us alone seven days, and we send messengers into all the border of Israel: and if there is none saving us -- then we have come out unto thee.' Smith's Literal Translation And the old men of Jabesh will say to him, Let go to us seven days, and we will send messengers in every bound of Israel: and if none save us we will come forth to thee. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the ancients of Jabes said to him: Allow us seven days, that we may send messengers to all the coasts of Israel: and if there be no one to defend us, we will come out to thee. Catholic Public Domain Version And the elders of Jabesh said to him: “Grant to us seven days, so that we may send messengers to all the borders of Israel. And if there is no one who may defend us, we will go out to you.” New American Bible The elders of Jabesh said to him: “Give us seven days to send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. If there is no one to save us, we will surrender to you.” New Revised Standard Version The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days’ respite that we may send messengers through all the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to save us, we will give ourselves up to you.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the eiders of Jabesh said to him, Give us seven days respite, that we may send messengers throughout all the territory of Israel; and when we see if we have a savior or not, then we will come out to you. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the Elders of Lakish said to him: “Let go us seven days, and we shall send Messengers into the entire border of Israel, and we will see if there is a Savior for us, and if not, then we will come forth to you” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the elders of Jabesh said unto him: 'Give us seven days' respite, that we may send messengers unto all the borders of Israel; and then, if there be none to deliver us, we will come out to thee.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And the men of Jabis say to him, Allow us seven days, and we will send messengers into all the coasts of Israel: if there should be no one to deliver us, we will come out to you. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Saul Defeats the Ammonites…2But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you on one condition, that I may put out everyone’s right eye and bring reproach upon all Israel.” 3“Hold off for seven days,” replied the elders of Jabesh, “and let us send messengers throughout Israel. If there is no one to save us, we will surrender to you.” 4When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and relayed these words in the hearing of the people, they all wept aloud.… Cross References Judges 21:8-9 So they asked, “Which one of the tribes of Israel failed to come up before the LORD at Mizpah?” And, in fact, no one from Jabesh-gilead had come to the camp for the assembly. / For when the people were counted, none of the residents of Jabesh-gilead were there. Judges 20:7 Behold, all you Israelites, give your advice and verdict here and now.” 1 Samuel 10:27 But some worthless men said, “How can this man save us?” So they despised him and brought him no gifts; but Saul remained silent about it. 1 Samuel 17:10 Then the Philistine said, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day! Give me a man to fight!” 2 Kings 18:19-20 The Rabshakeh said to them, “Tell Hezekiah that this is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: What is the basis of this confidence of yours? / You claim to have a strategy and strength for war, but these are empty words. In whom are you now trusting, that you have rebelled against me? 2 Kings 19:9-11 Now Sennacherib had been warned about Tirhakah king of Cush: “Look, he has set out to fight against you.” So Sennacherib again sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying, / “Give this message to Hezekiah king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God, in whom you trust, deceive you by saying that Jerusalem will not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. / Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the other countries, devoting them to destruction. Will you then be spared? Isaiah 36:4-5 The Rabshakeh said to them, “Tell Hezekiah that this is what the great king, the king of Assyria, says: What is the basis of this confidence of yours? / You claim to have a strategy and strength for war, but these are empty words. In whom are you now trusting, that you have rebelled against me? Isaiah 37:10-12 “Give this message to Hezekiah king of Judah: ‘Do not let your God, in whom you trust, deceive you by saying that Jerusalem will not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria. / Surely you have heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all the other countries, devoting them to destruction. Will you then be spared? / Did the gods of the nations destroyed by my fathers rescue those nations—the gods of Gozan, Haran, and Rezeph, and of the people of Eden in Telassar? Jeremiah 21:8-9 Furthermore, you are to tell this people that this is what the LORD says: ‘Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death. / Whoever stays in this city will die by sword and famine and plague, but whoever goes out and surrenders to the Chaldeans who besiege you will live; he will retain his life like a spoil of war. Jeremiah 38:17-18 Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “This is what the LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘If you indeed surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then you will live, this city will not be burned down, and you and your household will survive. / But if you do not surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then this city will be delivered into the hands of the Chaldeans. They will burn it down, and you yourself will not escape their grasp.’” Ezekiel 33:11 Say to them: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’ Matthew 10:14-15 And if anyone will not welcome you or heed your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. / Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. Matthew 11:21-24 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. / But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. / And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. ... Luke 10:10-12 But if you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go into the streets and declare, / ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off as a testimony against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.’ / I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. Luke 14:31-32 Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand? / And if he is unable, he will send a delegation while the other king is still far off, to ask for terms of peace. Treasury of Scripture And the elders of Jabesh said to him, Give us seven days' respite, that we may send messengers to all the coasts of Israel: and then, if there be no man to save us, we will come out to you. give us. Jump to Previous Alone Borders Coasts Deliver Elders Israel Jabesh Messengers Ourselves Part Rescue Respit Respite Responsible Save Seven Surrender Territory ThroughoutJump to Next Alone Borders Coasts Deliver Elders Israel Jabesh Messengers Ourselves Part Rescue Respit Respite Responsible Save Seven Surrender Territory Throughout1 Samuel 11 1. Nahash offers them of Jabesh Gilead a reproachful condition4. They send messengers, and are delivered by Saul 12. Saul thereby is confirmed, and his kingdom renewed "Hold off for seven days," replied the elders of Jabesh The elders of Jabesh are negotiating with Nahash the Ammonite, who has besieged their city. The request for a seven-day reprieve reflects a desperate situation, as they seek time to find a deliverer. The number seven often signifies completeness or divine intervention in the Bible, suggesting a hope for God's deliverance. The elders' role indicates a structured leadership within the city, typical of ancient Near Eastern societies. "and let us send messengers throughout Israel." "If there is no one to save us," "we will surrender to you." Persons / Places / Events 1. Jabesh-gileadA city in the territory of Gilead, east of the Jordan River. The inhabitants are under threat from the Ammonites. 2. Nahash the Ammonite The king of the Ammonites who besieges Jabesh-gilead and offers harsh terms for surrender. 3. The Elders of Jabesh Leaders of the city who negotiate with Nahash for a delay to seek help from the rest of Israel. 4. Israel The nation to whom the messengers are sent, seeking deliverance from the Ammonite threat. 5. Saul Although not mentioned in this specific verse, Saul becomes a central figure in the subsequent account as the newly anointed king who responds to the call for help. Teaching Points Seeking Help in Times of TroubleThe elders of Jabesh-gilead demonstrate the importance of seeking assistance when faced with overwhelming challenges. In our lives, we should not hesitate to reach out for help from God and our community. The Role of Leadership This passage highlights the need for strong and decisive leadership in times of crisis. As Christians, we are called to support and pray for our leaders, that they may act with wisdom and courage. God's Timing and Deliverance The request for seven days reflects a period of waiting and hope for deliverance. Trusting in God's timing is crucial, even when the situation seems dire. Unity and Community Support The call for help to the rest of Israel underscores the importance of unity and mutual support within the body of Christ. We are stronger together and should be ready to support one another in times of need. Faith in Action The elders' decision to seek help is an act of faith, believing that deliverance is possible. Our faith should lead us to take action, trusting that God will provide a way. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 11:3?2. How does 1 Samuel 11:3 demonstrate the importance of seeking godly counsel? 3. What can we learn about patience from the elders' request in 1 Samuel 11:3? 4. How does 1 Samuel 11:3 connect to seeking God's guidance in difficult times? 5. How can we apply the elders' strategy in 1 Samuel 11:3 today? 6. What does 1 Samuel 11:3 teach about community reliance during crises? 7. What historical evidence supports the events described in 1 Samuel 11:3? 8. How does 1 Samuel 11:3 reflect God's role in Israel's leadership? 9. Why did the elders of Jabesh request seven days in 1 Samuel 11:3? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 11? 11. In 1 Samuel 11:1–2, how could gouging out the right eye of every Israelite realistically have served as a sign of submission without stronger resistance or outside intervention? 12. Who was Uriah the Hittite in the Bible? 13. In 1 Samuel 11:5-7, is it historically plausible that Saul's threat with the oxen pieces could mobilize such a large army so quickly? 14. Numbers 11:17-25 discusses God's Spirit resting on the seventy elders; why is there limited mention of this event in subsequent biblical texts if it was so pivotal? What Does 1 Samuel 11:3 Mean Hold off for seven days- The elders ask for a week’s grace, trusting God will work within a definite, short window (cf. Exodus 12:15, where seven days establishes a complete, God-ordained period). - Seven often marks divine completeness; their request hints at expectation that the Lord can resolve the crisis in a perfectly timed way (see Joshua 6:4). replied the elders of Jabesh - Leadership steps forward. Unlike Israel’s earlier chaos in Judges 21:25, these elders act with unified purpose. - Their response shows faith and courage; they do not panic, but direct the people toward action that still leaves room for God to deliver (compare Numbers 13:30). and let us send messengers throughout Israel - They recognize covenant solidarity: every tribe is obligated to aid a threatened brother (Judges 20:8-11). - This call previews Saul’s Spirit-empowered rally in 1 Samuel 11:6-7, fulfilling God’s earlier choice of a king who would “save My people” (1 Samuel 9:16). - The messengers embody Romans 10:14-15 in seed form—deliverance comes after a message is sent. If there is no one to save us - The elders acknowledge human means but ultimately depend on the Lord to raise a savior (Psalm 20:7). - The phrase echoes the judges era when God repeatedly “raised up a deliverer” (Judges 3:9); the elders expect the same pattern. - It underscores their humility: victory is not presumed, but sought. we will surrender to you - They express conditional submission, keeping covenant faithfulness yet recognizing reality if Israel fails to respond (cf. Deuteronomy 20:10-12 on terms of siege). - Their willingness to yield, only after every avenue of God-provided help is exhausted, shows balanced wisdom—neither reckless defiance nor faithless capitulation (Luke 14:31-32). summary The elders of Jabesh ask Nahash for seven days, signaling faith that God can act within a complete, divinely significant period. They lead decisively, summon national covenant aid, and wait to see if the Lord will raise a deliverer. Their conditional offer to surrender shows realistic humility without abandoning trust. The verse sets the stage for God’s swift intervention through Saul, demonstrating that when God’s people cry out and unite, He faithfully provides salvation. (3) Give us seven days' respite.--This kind of proposal has always in time of war been a common one; such a request from a beleaguered fortress we meet with constantly, especially in mediaeval chronicles. It was, no doubt, made by the citizens in the hope that Saul the Benjamite, in whose election as king they had recently taken a part, would devise some means for their rescue. Between Benjamin and the city of Jabesh-gilead there had long existed the closest ties of friendship. How far back this strange link between the southern tribe and the distant frontier town dated, we know not. When Israel was summoned "as one man" (Judges 21), probably under the direction of Phinehas, the grandson of Aaron, to avenge on Benjamin the crime committed by the men of Gibeah, Jabesh-gilead alone, among the cities of Israel--no doubt, out of its friendship for the sinning tribe--declined to obey the imperious summons, and for this act of disobedience was rased to the ground, and its inhabitants put to the sword. The tribes, however, subsequently regretted their remorseless cruelty in their punishment of Benjamin, and feared lest their brother's name might perish out of the land; mindful, then, of the old loving feeling which existed between the city of Jabesh-gilead and the tribe of Benjamin, they gave the maidens of the ruined city spared in the judicial massacre perpetrated on the citizens, to the fighting remnant of Benjamin, still defending themselves on the impregnable Rock of the Pomegranate, "Rimmon," and did what was in their power to restore the ruined and broken tribe. Jabesh-gilead seems to have risen again from its ashes, and Benjamin once more held up its head among the tribes of Israel, and just now had given the first king to the people. No wonder, then, that the city in the hour of its sore need and deadly peril should send for succour to Gibeah in Benjamin, and to Saul, the Benjamite king. Neither the tribe nor the king failed them in their distress.Verse 3. - The elders who govern the town know nothing of a king having been appointed, nor do they send to Samuel to ask him, as the judge, to protect them; but they request a seven days' respite, that they may send messengers unto all the coasts of Israel, and Nahash, feeling sure that no combined action would be the result, grants their request, that so Israel far and wide might know of his triumph.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “Hold offהֶ֤רֶף (he·rep̄) Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 7503: Sink, relax for לָ֙נוּ֙ (lā·nū) Preposition | first person common plural Strong's Hebrew seven שִׁבְעַ֣ת (šiḇ·‘aṯ) Number - masculine singular construct Strong's 7651: Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number days,” יָמִ֔ים (yā·mîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3117: A day replied וַיֹּאמְר֨וּ (way·yō·mə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say the elders זִקְנֵ֣י (ziq·nê) Adjective - masculine plural construct Strong's 2205: Old of Jabesh, יָבֵ֗ישׁ (yā·ḇêš) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3003: Jabesh -- a place in Gilead, also an Israelite “and let us send וְנִשְׁלְחָה֙ (wə·niš·lə·ḥāh) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common plural Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out messengers מַלְאָכִ֔ים (mal·’ā·ḵîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel throughout בְּכֹ֖ל (bə·ḵōl) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every Israel. יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc If וְאִם־ (wə·’im-) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not [there is] no one אֵ֥ין (’ên) Adverb Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle to deliver מוֹשִׁ֛יעַ (mō·wō·šî·a‘) Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 3467: To be open, wide, free, to be safe, to free, succor us, אֹתָ֖נוּ (’ō·ṯā·nū) Direct object marker | first person common plural Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case we will surrender וְיָצָ֥אנוּ (wə·yā·ṣā·nū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim to you.” אֵלֶֽיךָ׃ (’ê·le·ḵā) Preposition | second person masculine singular Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Links 1 Samuel 11:3 NIV1 Samuel 11:3 NLT 1 Samuel 11:3 ESV 1 Samuel 11:3 NASB 1 Samuel 11:3 KJV 1 Samuel 11:3 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 11:3 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 11:3 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 11:3 French Bible 1 Samuel 11:3 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 11:3 The elders of Jabesh said to him (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
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