1 Samuel 11:3
1 Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabesh-gilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee.
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.
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.
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.
5 And, behold, Saul came after the herd out of the field; and Saul said, What aileth the people that they weep? And they told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh.
Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- 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.”
- KJV
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- BLB
- And the elders of Jabesh said to him, “Hold off for seven days, that we may send messengers to all the territory of Israel. And if no one is saving us, we will come out to you.”
- ÅB
- Da sa Jabes eldste til ham: Gi oss frist i syv dager, så vi kan sende bud rundt om i hele Israels land! Er det da ingen som hjelper oss, så vil vi overgi oss til deg.
- OTB
- De eldste i Jabesj sa til ham: «Gi oss sju dager til å sende budbringere gjennom hele Israels land. Så, hvis det ikke er noen som redder oss, vil vi overgi oss til deg.»
- B1930
- Da sa Jabes eldste til ham: Gi oss frist i syv dager, så vi kan sende bud rundt om i hele Israels land! Er det da ingen som hjelper oss, så vil vi overgi oss til dig.