1Sa 11:1
11:1 Then Nahash the Ammonite {a} came up, and encamped against
     Jabeshgilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash,
     Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee.

     (a) After that Saul was chosen king: for fear of whom they
         asked a king, as in 1Sa 12:12.

1Sa 11:2
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 {b} right eyes, and lay it [for] a reproach upon
     all Israel.

     (b) This declares that the closer the tyrants are to their
         destruction, the more cruel they are.

1Sa 11:6
11:6 And the Spirit of God {c} came upon Saul when he heard
     those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly.

     (c) God gave him the spirit of strength and courage to go
         against this tyrant.

1Sa 11:7
11:7 And he took a yoke of oxen, and hewed them in pieces, and
     sent [them] throughout all the coasts of Israel by the
     hands of messengers, saying, Whosoever cometh not forth
     after Saul and after {d} Samuel, so shall it be done unto
     his oxen. And the fear of the LORD fell on the people, and
     they came out with one consent.

     (d) He adds Samuel because Saul was not yet approved by
         all.

1Sa 11:9
11:9 And {e} they said unto the messengers that came, Thus shall
     ye say unto the men of Jabeshgilead, To morrow, by [that
     time] the sun be hot, ye shall have help. And the
     messengers came and shewed [it] to the men of Jabesh; and
     they were glad.

     (e) Meaning, Saul and Samuel.

1Sa 11:10
11:10 Therefore the men of Jabesh said, To morrow we will come
      out unto {f} you, and ye shall do with us all that seemeth
      good unto you.

      (f) That is, to the Ammonites, concealing that they had
          hope of aid.

1Sa 11:12
11:12 And the people said unto Samuel, {g} Who [is] he that
      said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may
      put them to death.

      (g) By this victory the Lord won the hearts of the people
          to Saul.

1Sa 11:13
11:13 And Saul said, There shall not a man be {h} put to death
      this day: for to day the LORD hath wrought salvation in
      Israel.

      (h) By showing mercy he thought to overcome their malice.

1Sa 11:15
11:15 And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made
      Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they
      sacrificed sacrifices of {i} peace offerings before the
      LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced
      greatly.

      (i) In sign of thanksgiving for the victory.