1 Samuel 11:6

6 When he heard this news, God's Spirit came over him, and he became very angry.

1 Samuel 11:6 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 11:6

And the Spirit of God came upon Saul when he heard those
tidings
And filled him with pity and compassion to the inhabitants of Jabesh, and with wisdom and prudence, and set his thoughts at work to contrive ways and means for their relief, and with fortitude, courage, and resolution, to attempt their deliverance; so the Targum,

``the spirit of fortitude from the Lord dwelt on Saul:''

and his anger was kindled greatly; against Nahash the Ammonite for insulting Israel, and threatening to use the inhabitants of Jabesh in such a cruel manner.

1 Samuel 11:6 In-Context

4 The messengers came to Saul's town, Gibeah. When they told the people the news, the people cried loudly.

5 Just then Saul was coming from the field behind some oxen. "Why are these people crying?" Saul asked. So they told him the news about the men of Jabesh.

6 When he heard this news, God's Spirit came over him, and he became very angry.

7 Saul took a pair of oxen, cut them in pieces, and sent them by messengers throughout the territory of Israel with the following message: "This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who doesn't follow Saul and Samuel [into battle]." So the people became terrified by the LORD, and they came out united [behind Saul].

8 When Saul counted them at Bezek, there were 300,000 troops from Israel and 30,000 troops from Judah.