David Honors His Valiant Brothers

By Mary Vee

II Samuel 2

David's Thoughts

The celebration in my honor as the new king of Judah continued for days.

Saul, the king of Israel had been killed in battle, and God allowed my men and I to return to Judah. Once the elders of Judah heard we'd returned, they gathered and anointed me king of Judah. 

During the dancing and singing a man from Judah came to me with important news.

He bowed. "My lord, I didn't know if you'd heard this news."

"Yes, go on."

"It was the men of Jabesh Gilead who buried Saul. First, they gathered together, allowing any man who wished to go on the dangerous mission. They went behind enemy lines to the Philistine city where Saul and his son's bodies hung in horrible display, cut down the bodies, and carried them safely to Jabesh.

"The bodies were laid to rest under the same tree Saul had spent meditating many days. It seemed the fitting burial place. The men then mourned deeply for a time."

He was right, I had not known my brothers from Jabesh had risked their lives to honor Saul and his sons. Especially Jonathan. I had to speak with them at once.

"Go to Jabesh and deliver this message to those very men:

You are blessed of the Lord, for you have shown this kindness to your lord, to Saul, and have buried him. and now may the Lord show kindness and truth to you. I also will repay you this kindness, because you have done this thing. Because of your deed, may your hands be strengthened, and be valiant. Your master Saul is dead, and now the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.

Once the messenger left, I stopped the music. "Listen everyone. I have great news about the mighty men of Jabesh, our brothers. Let me tell you what they did!"  I repeated the whole story.

Hardly before I finished the last word a new celebration broke out to honor our brothers from Jabesh who sacrificed their lives to honor their king.

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1. Why did the people celebrate in the beginning?

2. What news did the man tell David?

3. Why did the news please David?

4.  David's message to the men of Jabesh told them three things: he wanted to honor them, their master _____________ was dead, ____________ had anointed __________ king over them.

The Battle Belonged to the Lord

By Mary Vee
I Samuel 11

A Messenger's Report

By the time I arrived back at Jabesh my strength had left me. I had run a long distance with Saul's message.


The elders of the city gathered around me to hear my report but I couldn't speak. "Get him some water." One commanded.


I drank the water and felt much better. Here is my report: "I spoke with Saul, the man chosen king of Israel. He mumbled something about the brothers never helping one another. His face turned red and he balled his fist. He chopped up the yoke of an oxen and sent it to each Israelite territory with a message to help with this battle or their oxen would be treated the same way."


The elders raised their eyebrows. "They will come?"


Never had I been so happy to deliver a message. I continued: "Not only will they come but three hundred thousand soldiers did. I saw them at the meeting place Saul arranged."


"Three hundred thousand? Really?" The elders laughed and patted each other on the backs. "We're saved! Our brothers will come help us fight after all." They stood and danced around the room, praising God for His help.


When the dance stopped they sat again. One leader stroked his beard and said, "What shall we tell that evil commander, Nahash who sits outside our gate?"


Another answered, "I say--I say we tell him this, 'Tomorrow we will come and surrender to you. You may do to us whatever seems good to you. By saying this, he will not prepare for battle."


The elders looked at each other, smiled, then broke into a loud, long laughter. "Yes. We should tell him those words. Messenger, go proclaim our message to Nahash."


We went to the top of the city wall. I called down to Nahash, who stood like am arrogant man, ready to collect his prize. "Nahash, tomorrow we will come and surrender to you. At that time you may do to us whatever seems good to you."


Nahash doubled over with laughter. He clapped his hands and pushed them high up in the air. "How wise of you to surrender. You have saved your city by becoming my servants." He turned back to his men and led a chant. "The people of Jabesh are ours! The people of Jabesh are ours!"


We, of course were not afraid. We had a secret. Nahash would soon pay for his cruelties.


The next morning, even before the sun rose, our watchmen reported three units approaching the area from the woods.. Nahash didn't know to watch for them. Hah. He sat like a fool in his chair, waiting for us to parade outside the city and turn our lives over to become his slaves. Won't he be surprised.


The thirty thousand man army marched forward. The earth rumbled as they drew closer. Nahash stood and looked to the fields around the city. His eyes went wide and he screamed, "Arm yourselves." 


But they weren't ready. Saul led the army, dedicated by Samuel to the Lord. They pushed into Nahash's camp wielding their swords. Our army joined them. We fought those Ammorites through the heat of the day. We didn't mind at all. 


The Lord had rescued us. Our brothers had rescued us. 


The Lord won the battle for us!


The Israelite army echoed cheers again and again to Saul. They sang and danced their praises to God. One man shouted, "Bring the men here who said Saul  should not reign over us. We will kill them."


Saul held up his hands and shouted. "No. No one will be put to death  today. For the Lord has brought this salvation for Israel."


Samuel nodded. "Yes. This is true. Come now, let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingdom."


We gathered in Gilgal to offer sacrifices in praise to God for saving us. We also made Saul our  king before the Lord.


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1. What message did the messenger bring to the elders of Israel?
2. What did they tell Nahash?
3. Who all came to their rescue?
4. What did Samuel do?
5. Who won the battle?
6. What did the people do after the battle?

Saul Stirs the People to Fight

By Mary Vee

I Samuel 11

A Messenger from Jabesh's Journal

That evil Ammonite captain, Nahash, camped outside the city Jabesh ready to squash us with his army. I along with other messengers ran to the tribes of Israel to ask for help.


Click here here  to read how this mess started.  

All my life I had trained to run long distances. Today, I let my legs run like a predator. My job: take the message to Saul, the new king of Israel.


I found a place to cross the Jordan river and ran southwest to Gibeah where Saul lived. 

When I arrived the people crowded around me. One brought me something to drink. One man asked. "What happened?" 

The people pressed closer to hear my message. "The evil Nahash has prepared an attack against Jabesh. He said he would accept surrender only if we agreed to let him take out our right eyes. We need help!"

The people just stood their...crying. No one said, "Yes, we'll help. Grab your weapons!" They cried louder the more they talked among themselves. What good did that do? 

A tall man came from a nearby field. He walked behind a heard which he directed toward the road. He turned towards the noise and walked to the crowd. "What's going on? Why are you crying?" I didn't know who he was until the crowd parted and bowed.

A man stepped forward. "This messenger came from Jabesh. He said Nahash and his army are camped outside the city and will attack unless they surrender. If they surrender he will take out everyone's right eye and make them slaves. He has come to ask for help."

Saul's face turned red and he balled his fist. 


Then something unusual happened. Saul's face changed, like the Spirit of God came upon him. He raised his fist and faced me. He didn't seem angry with me. No. His rage seemed against someone else.  


He said, "I know as well as you do that the other tribes won't come to your aid." He huffed. "I am tired of them refusing to help their own brothers. This has got to stop."

Saul took the yoke of an oxen and cut it into pieces. He ordered messengers to come forward. "Each of you take a piece  of this yoke to one territory of Israel along with this message: Whoever does not go out with Saul and Samuel to battle will have this done to their oxen."


The message seemed to work! Three hundred thirty thousand Israelite soldiers met at Bezek to fight. Saul seemed pleased. "Messenger, return to your city with this word: Tomorrow by the time the sun is hot you will have help."


I couldn't wait to deliver the message. I ran faster than a bird can fly back to my home. The leaders met at once to hear what I had to say. One leader raised his hands when I'd finished and said, "Marvelous news." Another said, "I'm surprised. Clearly the Lord has brought this blessing."


One leader said, "What shall we tell Nahash? We don't want to warn him that an army is coming to our rescue." Another leader smiled with mischief in his eyes. "We should let Nahash think we will surrender tomorrow. He will have his guard down." Another nodded. "Yes, Nahash will be so busy laughing he won't see the army coming." 


The men discussed the issue longer then walked together to the top of the city wall and shouted, "Nahash, tomorrow we will come out to you. You may do with us whatever seems good to you."


Come back next time to see if Saul's army can save them.


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1. Where did the messenger from Jabesh take his message?
2. What did the people do when they heard his words?
3. Who came out from the field?
4. What did he say after hearing the message?
5. Did the Israelites listen to him?
6. What message did Saul send back to Jabesh?

Nahesh the Tyrant

By Mary Vee
I Samuel 11

A Messenger from Jabesh's Journal

We woke one terrible morning to find Nahash the Ammonite camped with his army outside our city, Jabesh Gilead. This man was evil. Why did he come to our peaceful city?


All Israel knew about Nahash and his desire to not only conquer cities, but also to embarrass the citizens as much as possible. 


We knew he'd attack and kill all the people from our city. Or, maybe if he had a good day, he might decide to take us as prisoners, torture us, and make us slaves. Neither choice worked for me.


Our city leaders met together. They were scared, all right.


They stroked their beards. 


Sweat beaded on their foreheads.


Their voices trembled. 


Not one could say a solution that pleased the others.


The head elder sighed. "Our only choice is surrender. We can't fight him and win." The other leaders groaned but finally nodded their agreement.  


Women and children watched us climb to the top of the city wall. Their eyes showed hope and trust. Who are we that Nahash had to attack our small city? Why did he have to come here? I called out to Nahash. "Set your terms, Nahash and we will surrender. We agree to be your slaves."


Nahash didn't wait a second before laughing like an evil villain. "Sure. I accept your surrender. Here are my terms: you must all agree to let me take out the right eye of every person in your city." He laughed again. "This way, you will be embarrassed before all Israel."


Well we didn't expect him to say that! 


The leaders rushed off to a meeting room and chattered like squirrels trying to work out a solution. One said, "Ask for an extension." Another said. "Yes, we need seven days to ask for help." And another said, "No other tribe has come to the aid of another in need for a long time, no one will come." The leaders shook their heads and sat back in their chairs. After a few moments of quiet one said, "He's right, but we have no other choice."


No one would come from any tribe to help, he said. Sad words, but true. Each tribe pretty much lived by themselves and ignored the others. We didn't act like a nation. If no tribe answered our plea for help against Nahash, well, I guess I'd be a slave with one eye. 


The leaders and I walked back to the same place on top of the city wall. I called down to the evil Nahash. "Give us seven days to send messengers to all the territory of Israel. If no one comes to save us, we will agree to your terms."


Nahash knew the other tribes wouldn't come help, we weren't the first city he tormented. He burst into his dastardly laugh again. "Sure, call for help. Call anyone you'd like. In seven days I will have your right eyes."


He strutted back to his tent, laughing with his soldiers.


The elders chose the fastest message runners to take our plea for help to each tribe. I was sent to Gibeah to tell Saul, our new king. I hope he can help.


Come back next time to see what Saul chooses to do.


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1. Who camped outside Jabesh Gilead?
2. What did he want to do?
3. Why didn't the people of Jabesh Gilead fight?
4. What was wrong with the other tribes of Israel? 
5. Who didn't they ask for help?
6. When the leaders asked to surrender what did Nahash say?
7. What did the leaders decide to do?
8. Did Nahash agree? Why?