The King of the Ammonites, whose name, Nachash, means Serpent, had a particularly cruel way to mark his rule over the local people he conquered: Every man’s right eye was mutilated. When King Serpent attacks the city of Yavesh Gilad, east of the Jordan river, its residents - from the tribe of Menashe, ask for a week’s reprieve before becoming his vassals, and in the meanwhile send for emergency help from their people, the tribe of Benjamin, across the river. For those who recall the dreadful civil war that ends the Book of Judges - the relationship between the people of Benjamin and Yavesh Gilad seems uncanny - they are kin, but not of choice. After the tribes of Israel waged war on Benjamin for their part in the ‘Concubine of Gibeah' massacre, they also killed most of the people of Yavesh Gilad, and supplied the remaining men of Benjamin with young virgins to perpetuate the almost extinct tribe. Generations later, the tribe now boasting a king from within its ranks, has to deal with a plea for urgent help from its relatives across the river.
There’s more about this ancient horror story that is echoed in this chapter.
When the frantic messengers from Yavesh arrive at the Hill of Benjamin (the exact site of the original rape and massacre) Saul is summoned. Although already pronounced king, he’s still working on the family cattle ranch.
When he hears of the threat to the people he takes two cows, cuts them into parts and sends those to all the tribal territories, with a strong message - join our fight against the Serpent King or this is what will happen to your cattle too.
If this too seems weirdly similar to the bizarre act in that old war story in which the angry Levite carved up his dead concubines’s body into 12 parts to rally the tribes of Israel -- it is indeed no accident. These are a few of the elements in today’s chapter that echo that terror tale and most scholars agree that this literary-political choice was on purpose - meant to make Saul look good and to ensure that Benjamin's bad reputation is restored.
330,000 men show up to fight along with Saul, and the battle ends swiftly with Israel’s victory. Saul saved the day - finally, a king worthy of the claim.
But it isn’t just his swift sword and courage that win Saul the people’s trust. It’s also the confidence to speak up that renders him regal.
Unfortunately, his new found courage to speak up also begins to disrupt his support from Samuel.
As soon as the battle is done, the people who grumbled against Saul in the last chapter now change their tune. The rest of the people suggest to Samuel that whoever spoke against Saul will be killed on the spot.
And here, for the first time, Saul speaks up, even though it was Samuel the people addressed, not him:
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר שָׁא֔וּל לֹא־יוּמַ֥ת אִ֖ישׁ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַזֶּ֑ה כִּ֥י הַיּ֛וֹם עָשָֽׂה־יְהֹוָ֥ה תְּשׁוּעָ֖ה בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
But Saul replied, “No man shall be put to death this day! For this day YHWH has brought victory to Israel.”
Saul's response is magnanimous - he pardons the people who doubted him. But what’s really important here is that after proving himself as a skilled strategist and general who actually accomplished what the people wanted -- he becomes a leader who feels he can save them from their enemies. With this confidence boost he speaks up, even when not addressed, and takes the reins.
Rabbi Benjamin Lau identifies his brief sentence as a moment of great shift:
“The transformation that Saul goes through after his heroic battle at Yavesh is the key to understanding Samuel’s attitude to Saul. As long as Saul was passive and obedient, Samuel favored him. But when Saul speaks up instead of Samuel in response to the people who demand swift executions - he establishes his kingship. In that dramatic moment Samuel realizes that Saul internalized the fact that being a king may also mean the removal of the prophet from his position as political leader.
Samuel’s response is immediate - he summons the people to Gilgal to officially establish the monarchy. What will take place in Gilgal is not just Saul’s official coronation but also Samuel’s farewell from the people. In one moment, the era of Judges is over and the time of the kings begins.”
And that’s what happens next. The people, led by Samuel and Saul, crown Saul in Gilgal, offer sacrifices to YHWH and celebrate. There’s a use of a verb here that will never again be connected to King Saul - he was very happy.
But clearly, not everyone’s happy. Samuel is preparing an address that will include rage and unwelcome rains - and fill the entire next chapter with a taste of things to come.
Meet the Royal Family. Join me for our monthly online conversation and exploration of compelling themes and enduring questions in the Book of Samuel, as we get to know the rise the fall of King Saul. Bring your questions!
January 11 2023 1-2PM ET.
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