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1 Samuel 11 · Grade 5

Victory and Mercy

Name Date

Read and Think

Chapter 11 shows Saul at his best. Nahash the Ammonite threatened Jabesh Gilead with terms designed to bring reproach on all Israel. The city's request for seven days shows how weak and divided Israel was. Nahash expected no one to come.

The news reached Gibeah, where Saul was still working as a farmer. God's Spirit came mightily on Saul, recalling the judges whom God raised up in crisis. Saul's summons, the pieces of a yoke of oxen sent throughout Israel, was a vivid call to unity. The fear of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out as one man, a mustered army of hundreds of thousands at Bezek.

Saul's victory at the morning watch was decisive. Then came a test of character. The people demanded death for those who had asked, Shall Saul reign over us? Saul answered, No man shall be put to death today; for today Yahweh has rescued Israel. Samuel led the people to Gilgal to renew the kingdom, and they rejoiced greatly. Saul's humility and mercy here make his later decline all the more tragic.

Show What You Know

  1. What did the city's request for seven days show?

  2. Whom does God's Spirit coming on Saul recall?

  3. What did Saul say when the people demanded death for his critics?

  4. Why does Saul's later decline seem tragic?

Crossword

42531

Across

  1. The Ammonite who came against Jabesh (11:1)
  2. Where they made Saul king (11:15)
  3. Saul and the men of Israel ____ greatly (11:15).

Down

  1. God's ____ came mightily on Saul (11:6).
  2. Saul cut up a yoke of ____ (11:7).

Think About It

  1. What does Saul's mercy in this chapter teach about power used well?

  2. How can God's people today come out as one man to help those in need?

Memory Verse

Saul said, “No man shall be put to death today; for today Yahweh has rescued Israel.”

1 Samuel 11:13 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for rescuing your people. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • Why was this chapter Saul's finest hour?
  • How can a community unite to rescue people in trouble?
  • What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.