12 And the people say unto Samuel, 'Who is he that saith, Saul doth reign over us! give ye up the men, and we put them to death.' 13 And Saul saith, 'There is no man put to death on this day, for to-day hath Jehovah wrought salvation in Israel.' 14 And Samuel saith unto the people, 'Come and we go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there;' 15 and all the people go to Gilgal, and cause Saul to reign there before Jehovah in Gilgal, and sacrifice there sacrifices of peace-offerings before Jehovah, and there Saul rejoiceth—and all the men of Israel—very greatly.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 11:12-15
Commentary on 1 Samuel 11:12-15
(Read 1 Samuel 11:12-15)
They now honoured Saul whom they had despised; and if an enemy be made a friend, that is more to our advantage than to have him slain. The once despised Saviour will at length be acknowledged by all as the Lord's own anointed king. As yet, upon his mercy-seat, he receives the submission of rebels, and even pleads their cause; but shortly, from his righteous tribunal, he will condemn all who persist in opposing him.