8. at Bezek. Saul had them organized and counted. There were three hundred thousand from Israel and thirty thousand from Judah.
9. Saul and his officers sent the messengers back to Jabesh with this promise: “We will rescue you tomorrow afternoon.” The messengers went back to the people at Jabesh and told them that they were going to be rescued.Everyone was encouraged!
10. So they told the Ammonites, “We will surrender to you tomorrow, and then you can do whatever you want to.”
11. The next day, Saul divided his army into three groups and attacked before daylight. They started killing Ammonites and kept it up until afternoon. A few Ammonites managed to escape, but they were scattered far from each other.
12. The Israelite soldiers went to Samuel and demanded, “Where are the men who said they didn't want Saul to be king? Bring them to us, and we will put them to death!”
13. “No you won't!” Saul told them. “The Lord rescued Israel today, and no one will be put to death.”