Nahash

Portrait of Nahash

Nahash was the Ammonite king whose cruel siege of Jabesh-gilead - demanding that every man's right eye be put out - provoked Saul's first great victory and confirmed him as king. In a striking later contrast, Nahash showed kindness to David, and David sought to repay that kindness to Nahash's son Hanun, only to be insulted and drawn into war.

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Biography

Occupation
King of Ammon
Era
United Kingdom
Nationality
Ammonite
Old Testament 1 Samuel King Villain

Did You Know?

1

Nahash the Ammonite demanded to gouge out the right eye of every man in Jabesh-gilead as the price of surrender (1 Samuel 11:2), an atrocity that galvanized the newly anointed Saul into his first great military victory.

2

His name means 'serpent,' fitting the menacing role he plays as the enemy whose cruelty first united Israel behind their new king.

3

Curiously, Nahash later showed 'kindness' to David (2 Samuel 10:2), and it was David's attempt to repay that kindness to Nahash's son Hanun - who humiliated the envoys - that triggered a major war with Ammon.

Key Chapters

1 Samuel 11 Saul Rescues Jabesh-Gilead 3 min read Nahash's brutal demand rouses Saul, whose rescue of Jabesh-gilead unites Israel ...

Key Passages

Nahash Besieges Jabesh-gilead

1 Samuel 11:1-11

Nahash's brutal demand rouses Saul, whose rescue of Jabesh-gilead unites Israel behind him.

T1hen Nahash the Ammonite 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.

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. 3 And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven daysโ€™ 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. 4 Then came the messengers to Gibeah of Saul, and told the tidings in the ears of the people: and all the people lifted up their voices, and wept. 5 And, behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field; and Saul said, What aileth the people that they weep? And they told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh. 6 And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those tidings, and his anger was kindled greatly. 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 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. 8 And when he numbered them in Bezek, the children of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand. 9 And 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. 10 Therefore the men of Jabesh said, To morrow we will come out unto you, and ye shall do with us all that seemeth good unto you. 11 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.

Read full chapter: 1 Samuel 11 โ†’

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