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撒母耳記上 11 : 1-15

亞捫人的王拿轄上來,對著基列雅比安營。雅比眾人對拿轄說:「你與我們立約,我們就服事你。」

撒母耳記上11章1-15節

撒母耳記上11章1-15節: 講義(龍漢泉弟兄)

掃羅打敗亞捫人

1. 亞捫王拿轄凌辱基列雅比人(1-4)

11:1 亞捫人的王拿轄上來,對着基列‧雅比安營。雅比眾人對拿轄說:「你與我們立約,我們就服事你。」

11:2 亞捫人拿轄說:「你們若由我剜出你們各人的右眼,以此凌辱以色列眾人,我就與你們立約。」

11:3 雅比的長老對他說:「求你寬容我們七日,等我們打發人往以色列的全境去;若沒有人救我們,我們就出來歸順你。」

11:4 使者到了掃羅住的基比亞,將這話說給百姓聽,百姓就都放聲而哭。


1『亞捫人』

亞捫人從血統上來說與以色列人乃是近親。亞捫人乃是亞伯拉罕的侄兒羅得的後代(創19:30-38),然而歷代以來亞捫人與以色列人的關係一直處於敵對的狀態。從以色列人出埃及進迦南的時候,摩押人與亞捫人拒絕接待他們,甚至雇了先知巴蘭來咒詛他們(申23:3-4),以致於神吩咐他們的子孫,雖過十代,也永不可入耶和華的會;到士師早期以色列人被亞捫人欺壓(士3:12-13, 10:7);再到王國時代,兩國經常交兵(撒上11:1, 14:47, 8:11-12, 撒下10:6-14, 11:1)等,就可以看出。神也曾使用亞捫人作為刑罰以色列人的工具(士10:7)。一直到大衛王的時候才將亞捫人治服(撒下12:26-31)。

『拿轄』
在撒下10:2中提到另一位亞捫人的王拿轄。這兩位應該是不同的人,畢竟一位在掃羅作王初期,另一位在大衛作王的中後期,相隔了至少40年以上。因此有人推測拿轄可能是亞捫王的稱號,就像法老是埃及王的稱號一樣。

『基列‧雅比…眾人對拿轄說:「與我們立約,我們就服事你」』 參末頁地圖。亞捫人當時勢強,而以色列人雖選出了掃羅為王,卻只是名義上而已,並沒有正式成立政府。事實上掃羅還在家裡放牛呢。(參第5節)因此以色列沒有軍隊保衛自己,基列雅比人碰見亞捫人來攻打就立刻示弱投降,願意與亞捫人立約服事他們。


2『由我剜出你們各人的右眼,以此凌辱以色列眾人』

為什麼拿轄會向基列雅比人提出這麼一個特別的要求來凌辱以色列人?在死海古卷的抄本裡面,11章第1節之前多了這麼一段話:『亞捫人的王拿轄重重逼迫迦得人和流便人。他剜出他們所有人的右眼,使以色列人恐懼害怕。在約旦河外的以色列人中,沒有一個人的右眼沒有被亞捫王拿轄剜出來的。只有七千人逃離了亞捫人,來到基列雅比。大約一個月後,…』。所以根據死海古卷,這些基列雅比人乃是從約旦河東迦得人和流便人之地逃到瑪拿西境內的基列雅比的。亞捫王拿轄追殺他們直到基列雅比,並且要剜出他們的右眼,和其他的迦得人和流便人一樣,以此來凌辱以色列人,製造恐怖和懼怕。


3『若沒有人救我們,我們就出來歸順你』

當初撒母耳在米斯巴掣籤立掃羅為王的時候(10:17撒母耳將百姓招聚到米斯巴耶和華那裏),基列雅比人應該也有人在場。現在拿轄追殺他們到雅比,並且提出這麼殘酷的條件,他們心裡必定覺得悲哀無助。他們要求延遲七日,也許真心盼望以色列中有人可以來拯救他們,或者也想看看這位新選出來的掃羅王能否幫助他們。然而他們並沒有為此而求問神,他們只想到人而沒有想到神。他們忘了他們的神是創造天地的萬軍之耶和華,可見他們屬靈生命的軟弱。他們並不認為,甚至沒有想到神可以拯救他們。亞捫人的王拿轄認為以色列不可能有人敢出來對抗他,所以同意了這個請求,大概也是想避免折兵損將。


亞捫人與以色列人有什麼血緣關係?歷代以來他們之間的關係如何?

拿轄向基列雅比人提出什麼要求?為什麼會提出這樣一個要求?

基列雅比人的反應是什麼?為什麼會有這樣的反應?

他們心裡的感受如何?屬靈的狀況如何?


4『基比亞…百姓就都放聲而哭』

基比亞是掃羅的家鄉。使者到了基比亞當然也是想看看掃羅有什麼反應,是否能拯救他們。而百姓的反應也是很特別。他們聽見這消息的時候,第一個反應不是憤怒,而是悲哀。這固然是反應他們之間的同胞愛,但更表明以色列人不認為自己能夠抵抗亞捫人,面對敵人欺上門只能逆來順受。他們也同樣的沒有想到神可以拯救他們。他們已經忘記了神如何拯救他們出埃及進迦南,如何藉著士師(包括撒母耳)率領他們打敗仇敵(參撒上7:10-12)。所以當他們聽見基列雅比人的遭遇就懼怕,感到絕望而哀哭。

從基列雅比人和基比亞人的反應,可以看到整個以色列人屬靈的光景。我們今天面對一些生活上的挑戰的時候,不論是私人的還是教會的,我們第一個想到的是否也是如何用自己的方法來處理,而不是先禱告呢?如果碰到了力所不及的情況,我們是悲傷絕望,還是仰望交託神,享受主裡的安息呢?

基比亞在哪裡?當他們聽到這個消息時的反應是什麼?

他們為什麼放聲而哭?他們的心態是什麼?

他們和基列雅比人有什麼共同點?這反應出以色列人屬靈的狀況如何?

我們今天面對生活上艱難挑戰的時候反應如何?和他們有什麼異同嗎?


2. 掃羅擊敗亞捫人(5-15)

11:5 掃羅正從田間趕牛回來,問說:「百姓為甚麼哭呢?」眾人將雅比人的話告訴他。

11:6 掃羅聽見這話,就被神的靈大大感動,甚是發怒。

11:7 他將一對牛切成塊子,託付使者傳送以色列的全境,說:「凡不出來跟隨掃羅和撒母耳的,也必這樣切開他的牛。」於是耶和華使百姓懼怕,他們就都出來,如同一人。

11:8 掃羅在比色數點他們:以色列人有三十萬,猶大人有三萬。

11:9 眾人對那使者說:「你們要回覆基列‧雅比人說,明日太陽近午的時候,你們必得解救。」使者回去告訴雅比人,他們就歡喜了。

11:10 於是雅比人對亞捫人說:「明日我們出來歸順你們,你們可以隨意待我們。」

11:11 第二日,掃羅將百姓分為三隊,在晨更的時候入了亞捫人的營,擊殺他們直到太陽近午,剩下的人都逃散,沒有二人同在一處的。

11:12 百姓對撒母耳說:「那說『掃羅豈能管理我們』的是誰呢?可以將他交出來,我們好殺死他。」

11:13 掃羅說:「今日耶和華在以色列中施行拯救,所以不可殺人。」

11:14 撒母耳對百姓說:「我們要往吉甲去,在那裏立國。」

11:15 眾百姓就到了吉甲那裏,在耶和華面前立掃羅為王,又在耶和華面前獻平安祭。掃羅和以色列眾人大大歡喜。


5『正從田間趕牛回來』

掃羅雖然被揀選為王,但當時以色列還沒有任何政府形態。選王大會之後,眾人就各歸各家了。雖然有名義上的王,底下卻沒有臣宰,沒有將帥,沒有軍隊。說得好聽一點是全民皆兵,說得難聽一點就是烏合之眾。掃羅也是照樣回家,趕牛耕田,就如同平常的農夫一樣。


6『就被神的靈大大感動,甚是發怒』

掃羅原本的個性當中可能有一個缺點,就是稍微缺乏自信。不論是在撒母耳與他談話的時候還是掣簽選王的時候,都可以看出來。然而當神揀選他作王之後,就賜給了他一顆新心,成為新人(different heart, different person撒上10:9,6,可能神改變了他的個性,喜好等)。此刻更被聖靈大大感動,因此他的反應和其他人就完全不同。他不是悲傷,而是憤怒,憤怒於亞捫人的欺壓殘酷,憤怒於對方如此對待神的子民。他看亞捫人的軍隊不再是一個無法戰勝的敵人,神的靈讓他有信心可以打敗亞捫人。當神的靈動工的時候,沒有任何人可以攔阻他的作為;而當我們讓神的靈完全引領我們的時候,也沒有任何環境可以讓我們恐懼害怕。

你覺得掃羅個性中有什麼弱點?他得到新心,成為新人對他有什麼影響?

當他聽到這個消息時的反應是什麼?他為什麼憤怒?

他的感受和其他人不同的原因是什麼?神的靈如何幫助他?

我曾經有過類似的經歷嗎?能否和大家分享?



7『切成塊子,託付使者傳送以色列的全境』

我們曾在士師記19-20章中看到類似的事(士19:29, 20:6)。這似乎是當時以色列人的習俗。每當有極其重大的事情發生的時候,就將屍體切成塊子,發送到以色列全境,通知所有的百姓。


『於是耶和華使百姓懼怕,他們就都出來,如同一人』

這一次的懼怕和基列雅比人的懼怕不同,乃是神使他們懼怕。基列雅比人乃是懼怕人,懼怕亞捫人的軍隊。這些以色列人則是懼怕神,懼怕神的榮耀與憤怒,因為掃羅是在執行神的權柄。因著對神的懼怕,就產生了順服,以致於他們就都出來,如同一人。教會想要戰勝魔鬼,也必須同心合意,達到如同一人的地步。我們今天常常不順服神的旨意,造成了許多的傷害、紛爭、擾亂,無法合而為一,很多時候就是因為不懼怕神,認為神不會管我們。然而我們每個人有一天都要在神面前交賬,他要按著我們的行為審判我們。


百姓為什麼懼怕?他們怕什麼?

這樣懼怕的結果是什麼?順服神的結果是什麼?

教會想要戰勝魔鬼必須如何?你覺得教會為什麼常常不能合一?



8『比色』

參附圖。距離基列雅比約20多公里。

『以色列人有三十萬,猶大人有三萬』

從這裡看來,神已經預知將來以色列人會分成南北兩國(北國以色列,南國猶大),因此在此就將以色列人和猶大人分開計數了。


9,11『明日太陽近午的時候,你們必得解救…晨更的時候…直到太陽近午』

掃羅的策略是要在清晨(晨更, 6AM之前)進攻亞捫人,一直戰到中午。他率領33萬人行軍,從比色趕到基列雅比。他們應該是晚上趕路,免得被亞捫人發現,因為畢竟33萬人不是一個小團體。因有神的靈同在,他知道這次必能戰勝亞捫人,所以他應許基列雅比人中午的時候必得解救。



10『明日我們出來歸順你們,你們可以隨意待我們』

很顯然這是掃羅和基列雅比人定下的緩兵之計。一方面可以拖延時間等到以色列的軍隊來到,一方面也是讓亞捫人以為勝利在握,就鬆懈下來。他們甚至可能沒有派哨兵在晚上巡邏,以致被掃羅他們在清晨趁虛而入。掃羅雖然從來沒有打過仗,但靠著聖靈的幫助,他展現了良好的軍事素養,用一群從來沒有打過仗的民兵,擊敗了亞捫人的精兵。從此開始應驗了神當初揀選他的預言:9:16 「明日這時候,我必使一個人從便雅憫地到你這裏來,你要膏他作我民以色列的君。他必救我民脫離非利士人的手;因我民的哀聲上達於我,我就眷顧他們。」


羅的策略是什麼?他憑什麼應許基列雅比人中午的時候必得解救?


掃羅以前打過仗嗎?你覺得他為什麼可以戰勝亞捫人?

神對以色列人的應許如何在他身上應驗?



12『人民對撒母耳說』

顯然撒母耳也參與了這次的行動,而且是處於一個輔助的角色,主角卻是掃羅。當時撒母耳和掃羅應該在一起,所以掃羅也聽到了人民的要求,立刻作了答覆。

『那說「掃羅豈能管理我們」的是誰呢?』

參10:27。這些人是匪徒(useless persons),瞧不起掃羅,即使他已經在百姓面前被選立為王。百姓想要殺他們(可以將他交出來,我們好殺死他),因為他們藐視這位帶領他們戰勝敵人的君王。



13『今日耶和華在以色列中施行拯救,所以不可殺人』

我們發現了掃羅另一個優點,就是寬宏大量。這一點在10:27的時候已經表現出來,現在更是明顯。而且他也看重神的作為,以此為理由,安撫那些為他打抱不平之人的心。的確,以人的標準無論從哪方面來看,掃羅都是當之無愧的模範青年。這讓我們更是為他感嘆,並且引為鑑戒。一個人不論他有多少優點,如果不聽神的話,離開神,這些優點都算不了什麼,甚至會讓他驕傲自大,成為他的絆腳石。

掃羅如何對待那些匪類?目前為止你發現了他哪些優點?

掃羅以前打過仗嗎?你覺得他為什麼可以戰勝亞捫人?

一個人如果不聽神的話會有什麼結果?他的優點能幫助他嗎?


14-15『我們要往吉甲去,在那裏立國…在耶和華面前立掃羅為王』

吉甲距離基列雅比約60公里。參附圖。吉甲是當年約書亞率領以色列人渡過約旦河進入迦南地的第一站(書4:19)。它是撒母耳巡行審判以色列人的城市之一(撒上7:16),也是撒母耳吩咐掃羅等候他七日的地方(撒上10:8, 13:8),在當時是一個相當重要的據點,因此撒母耳告訴以色列人要在那裡立國(renew the kingship/kingdom)。英文譯本都是翻成renew,也就是重建國度。『立掃羅為王』意即正式確立掃羅的王權。神讓掃羅代表他在地上管理他的百姓,而且撒母耳已經在百姓面前揀選掃羅為王了,這一次乃是藉著戰勝亞捫人之威,再一次堅立掃羅的王位,並且正式成立國家。

吉甲在哪裡?『立國』在這裡是什麼意思?

撒母耳已經在百姓面前選立了掃羅,為什麼還要再立掃羅為王?

今天的查經對我有什麼幫助?我願意在未來一週做出什麼改變嗎?


11:1 亞捫人的王拿轄上來,對着基列‧雅比安營。雅比眾人對拿轄說:「你與我們立約,我們就服事你。」

11:2 亞捫人拿轄說:「你們若由我剜出你們各人的右眼,以此凌辱以色列眾人,我就與你們立約。」

11:3 雅比的長老對他說:「求你寬容我們七日,等我們打發人往以色列的全境去;若沒有人救我們,我們就出來歸順你。」

11:4 使者到了掃羅住的基比亞,將這話說給百姓聽,百姓就都放聲而哭。

11:5 掃羅正從田間趕牛回來,問說:「百姓為甚麼哭呢?」眾人將雅比人的話告訴他。

11:6 掃羅聽見這話,就被神的靈大大感動,甚是發怒。

11:7 他將一對牛切成塊子,託付使者傳送以色列的全境,說:「凡不出來跟隨掃羅和撒母耳的,也必這樣切開他的牛。」於是耶和華使百姓懼怕,他們就都出來,如同一人。

11:8 掃羅在比色數點他們:以色列人有三十萬,猶大人有三萬。

11:9 眾人對那使者說:「你們要回覆基列‧雅比人說,明日太陽近午的時候,你們必得解救。」使者回去告訴雅比人,他們就歡喜了。

11:10 於是雅比人對亞捫人說:「明日我們出來歸順你們,你們可以隨意待我們。」

11:11 第二日,掃羅將百姓分為三隊,在晨更的時候入了亞捫人的營,擊殺他們直到太陽近午,剩下的人都逃散,沒有二人同在一處的。

11:12 百姓對撒母耳說:「那說『掃羅豈能管理我們』的是誰呢?可以將他交出來,我們好殺死他。」

11:13 掃羅說:「今日耶和華在以色列中施行拯救,所以不可殺人。」

11:14 撒母耳對百姓說:「我們要往吉甲去,在那裏立國。」

11:15 眾百姓就到了吉甲那裏,在耶和華面前立掃羅為王,又在耶和華面前獻平安祭。掃羅和以色列眾人大大歡喜。


NIV

1 Nahash[a] the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh Gilead. And all the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty with us, and we will be subject to you.”

2 But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you only on the condition that I gouge out the right eye of every one of you and so bring disgrace on all Israel.”

3 The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days so we can send messengers throughout Israel; if no one comes to rescue us, we will surrender to you.”

4 When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and reported these terms to the people, they all wept aloud.

5 Just then Saul was returning from the fields, behind his oxen, and he asked, “What is wrong with everyone? Why are they weeping?” Then they repeated to him what the men of Jabesh had said.

6 When Saul heard their words, the Spirit of God came powerfully upon him, and he burned with anger.

7 He took a pair of oxen, cut them into pieces, and sent the pieces by messengers throughout Israel, proclaiming, “This is what will be done to the oxen of anyone who doesnot follow Saul and Samuel.” Then the terror of the LORD fell on the people, and they came out together as one.

8 When Saul mustered them at Bezek, the men of Israel numbered three hundred thousand and those of Judah thirty thousand.

9 They told the messengers who had come, “Say to the men of Jabesh Gilead, ‘By the time the sun is hot tomorrow, you will be rescued.’” When the messengers went and reported this to the men of Jabesh, they were elated.

10 They said to the Ammonites, “Tomorrow we will surrender to you, and you can do to us whatever you like.”

11 The next day Saul separated his men into three divisions; during the last watch of the night they broke into the camp of the Ammonites and slaughtered them until the heat of the day. Those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

12 The people then said to Samuel, “Who was it that asked, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Turn these men over to us so that we may put them to death.”

13 But Saul said, “No one will be put to death today, for this day the LORD has rescued Israel.”

14 Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingship.”

15 So all the people went to Gilgal and made Saul king in the presence of the LORD. There they sacrificed fellowship offerings before the LORD, and Saul and all the Israelites held a great celebration.


Footnotes

a. 1 Samuel 11:1 Masoretic Text; Dead Sea Scrolls gifts. Now Nahash king of the Ammonites oppressed the Gadites and Reubenites severely. He gouged out all their right eyes and struck terror and dread in Israel. Not a man remained among the Israelites beyond the Jordan whose right eye was not gouged out by Nahash king of the Ammonites, except that seven thousand men fled from the Ammonites and entered Jabesh Gilead. About a month later, 1 Nahash


ESV

1 Then Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh-gilead, and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.”

2 But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, “On this condition I will make a treaty with you, that I gouge out all your right eyes, and thus bring disgrace on all Israel.”

3 The elders of Jabesh said to him, “Give us seven days' respite that we may send messengers through all the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to save us, we will give ourselves up to you.”

4 When the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul, they reported the matter in the ears of the people, and all the people wept aloud.

5 Now, behold, Saul was coming from the field behind the oxen. And Saul said, “What is wrong with the people, that they are weeping?” So they told him the news of the men of Jabesh.

6 And the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul when he heard these words, and his anger was greatly kindled.

7 He took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces and sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by the hand of the messengers,saying, “Whoever does not come out after Saul and Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen!” Then the dread of the LORD fell upon the people, and they came out as one man.

8 When he mustered them at Bezek, the people of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah thirty thousand.

9 And they said to the messengers who had come, “Thus shall you say to the men of Jabesh-gilead: ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have salvation.’” When the messengers came and told the men of Jabesh, they were glad.

10 Therefore the men of Jabesh said, “Tomorrow we will give ourselves up to you, and you may do to us whatever seems good to you.”

11 And the next day Saul put the people in three companies. And they came into the midst of the camp in the morning watch and struck down the Ammonites until the heat of the day. And those who survived were scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

12 Then the people said to Samuel, “Who is it that said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ Bring the men, that we may put them to death.”

13 But Saul said, “Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the LORD has worked salvation in Israel.”

14 Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and there renew the kingdom.”

15 So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the LORD, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.


NASB

1 Now Nahash the Ammonite went up and besieged Jabesh-gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, “Make a covenant with us and we will serve you.”

2 But Nahash the Ammonite said to them, “I will make it with you on this condition, that I will gouge out the right eye of every one of you, and thereby I will inflict a disgrace on all Israel.”

3 So the elders of Jabesh said to him, “Allow us seven days to send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to save us, we will come out to you.”

4 Then the messengers came to Gibeah of Saul and spoke these words in the hearing of the people, and all the people raised their voices and wept.

5 Now behold, Saul was coming from the field behind the oxen, and Saul said, “What is the matter with the people that they weep?” So they reported to him the words of the men of Jabesh.

6 Then the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul when he heard these words, and [a]he became very angry.

7 He then took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces, and sent them throughout the territory of Israel bythe hand of messengers, saying, “Whoever does not come out after Saul and after Samuel, the same shall be done to his oxen.” Then the dread of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out as one person.

8 He [b]counted them in Bezek; and the sons of Israel were three hundred thousand, and the men of Judah, thirty thousand.

9 They said to the messengers who had come, “This is what you shall say to the men of Jabesh-gilead: ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you will be saved.’” So the messengers went and told the men of Jabesh; and they rejoiced.

10 Then the men of Jabesh said, “Tomorrow we will come out to you, and you may do to us whatever seems good [c]to you.”

11 The next morning Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the midst of the camp at the morning watch, and struck and killed the Ammonites until the heat of the day. And those who survived scattered, so that no two of them were left together.

12 Then the people said to Samuel, “Who is he that said, ‘Shall Saul reign over us?’ [d]Bring the men, so that we may put them to death!”

13 But Saul said, “Not a single person shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has brought about [e]victory in Israel.”

14 Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, and let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingdom there.”

15 So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the Lord in Gilgal. There they also offered sacrifices of peace offerings before the Lord; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.


Footnotes

a. 1 Samuel 11:6 Lit his anger burned exceedingly

b. 1 Samuel 11:8 Lit mustered

c. 1 Samuel 11:10 Lit in your sight

d. 1 Samuel 11:12 Lit Give

e. 1 Samuel 11:13 Or deliverance in