1 Samuel 11 · Verse 3

1 Samuel 11:3

And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days’ 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.

1 Samuel 11:3, King James Version

1 Samuel 11:3 in other translations

BSB	“Hold off for seven days,” replied the elders of Jabesh, “and let us send messengers throughout Israel. If there is no one to save us, we will surrender to you.”
WEB	The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days, that we may send messengers to all the borders of Israel; and then, if there is no one to save us, we will come out to you.”
ASV	And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days’ respite, that we may send messengers unto all the borders of Israel; and then, if there be none to save us, we will come out to thee.
YLT	And the elders of Jabesh say to him, ‘Let us alone seven days, and we send messengers into all the border of Israel: and if there is none saving us--then we have come out unto thee.'
DARBY	And the elders of Jabesh said to him, Allow us seven days, and we will send messengers into all the districts of Israel; and if there be no man to deliver us, we will come out to thee.
BBE	Then the responsible men of Jabesh said to him, Give us seven days, so that we may send men to every part of Israel: and then, if no one comes to our help, we will come out to you.
Webster	And the elders of Jabesh said to him, Give us seven days respit, that we may send messengers to all the borders of Israel: and then, if there is no man to save us, we will come out to thee.

What does 1 Samuel 11:3 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 11:3-4

3-4. send messengers unto all the coasts of Israel--a curious proof of the general dissatisfaction that prevailed as to the appointment of Saul. Those Gileadites deemed him capable neither of advising nor succoring them; and even in his own town the appeal was made to the people--not to the prince. 1Sa 11:5-11. They Send to Saul, and Are Delivered.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 3 Give us seven days respite - Such promises are frequently made by besieged places: "We will surrender if not relieved in so many days;" and such conditions are generally received by the besiegers.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Samuel 11:1-11

Chapter Outline Jabesh-gilead delivered. (1-11) Saul confirmed in his kingdom. (12-15) Verses 1-11 The first fruit of Saul's government was the rescue of Jabesh-gilead from the Ammonites. To save their lives, men will part with liberty, and even consent to have their eyes put out; is it then no wisdom to part with that sin which is as dear to us as our right eye, rather than to be cast into hell-fire? See the faith…

Read the full comment on 1 Samuel 11:1-11 →

1 Samuel 11:3 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וַיֹּאמְר֨וּvai.yo.me.Ruand they saidH559

אֵלָ֜יו'e.Lavto himH413

זִקְנֵ֣יzik.Nei[the] elders ofH2205

יָבֵ֗ישׁya.VeishJabeshH3003

הֶ֤רֶףHe.refrefrainH7503

לָ֙נוּ֙la.nuto <the> us

שִׁבְעַ֣תshiv.'AtsevenH7651

יָמִ֔יםya.MimdaysH3117

וְנִשְׁלְחָה֙ve.nish.le.Chahso let us sendH7971

מַלְאָכִ֔יםmal.'a.KhimmessengersH4397

בְּכֹ֖לbe.Kholin allH3605

גְּב֣וּלge.Vul[the] territory ofH1366

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לYis.ra.'ElIsraelH3478

וְאִם\־ve.'im-and ifH518

אֵ֥ין'einthere notH369

מוֹשִׁ֛יעַmo.Shi.a'[is one who] deliversH3467

אֹתָ֖נוּ'o.Ta.nu<obj.> usH853

וְיָצָ֥אנוּve.ya.Tza.nuand we will come outH3318

אֵלֶֽיךָ\׃'e.Lei.khato youH413

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Give us. Heb. Forbear us.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

1 Samuel 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 right eyes, and lay it for a reproach upon all Israel.
1 Samuel 11:3
And the elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days’ 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.
1 Samuel 11:4
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.

Read all of 1 Samuel 11

1 Samuel 11:3 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	Entonces los ancianos de Jabes le dijeron: Danos siete días, para que enviemos mensajeros á todos los términos de Israel; y si nadie hubiere que nos defienda, saldremos á ti.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Et les anciens de Jabès lui dirent: Donne-nous un délai de sept jours, et nous enverrons des messagers dans tous les confins d’Israël; et s’il n’y a personne qui nous sauve, alors nous sortirons vers toi.
German Elberfelder 1871	Und die Ältesten von Jabes sprachen zu ihm: Laß uns sieben Tage, und wir wollen Boten in alle Grenzen Israels senden; und wenn niemand ist, der uns rettet, so wollen wir zu dir hinausgehen.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Et dixerunt ad eum seniores Jabes: Concede nobis septem dies, ut mittamus nuntios ad universos terminos Israël, et si non fuerit qui defendat nos, egrediemur ad te.