Norwegian 2018 (Bibelen - Guds Ord Hverdagsbibelen (Hermon Forlag))
Så kom ammonitten Nakasj for å ta byen Jabesj i Gilead. Mennene i byen sa til Nakasj: «I stedet for å ta oss, kan du ikke heller inngå en avtale med oss, så skal vi tjene deg.» Nakasj svarte: «På én betingelse skal jeg inngå en avtale med dere: Det høyre øyet må blir stukket ut på dere alle. Det vil hele Israels folk oppleve som en ydmykelse. En slik avtale kan vi inngå.» Lederne i byen Jabesj svarte: «Gi oss sju dager, så vi får spredt dette budskapet til hele Israels folk. Hvis det da ikke er noen som kan redde oss, vil vi komme og overgi oss til deg.»
What Does This Mean?
This verse tells us that Nahash the Ammonite attacked Jabesh-gilead. The men of Jabesh-gilead asked Nahash to make a treaty with them, promising to serve him if he spared their city. This shows the desperation of the people in Jabesh-gilead as they faced a powerful enemy.
Explained for Children
Imagine you're playing with your friends in a treehouse, and suddenly, a big bully comes and says he will only let you stay if you become his helper. That's kind of what happened here, but with a whole city and a mean king named Nahash.
Historical Background
This verse is from the Book of 1 Samuel, written by Samuel, Nathan, and Gad. It was written during the period when Israel was transitioning from a confederation of tribes to a monarchy. The people of Jabesh-gilead were facing a powerful enemy in Nahash the Ammonite, which was common in the geopolitical context of that time.
Living It Out Today
In today's world, this scenario can be compared to negotiating with a demanding boss or client. Just as the people of Jabesh-gilead had to make difficult decisions to survive, sometimes we must make tough choices to maintain our position or peace in a challenging situation.
Why did the people of Jabesh-gilead agree to serve Nahash?
The people of Jabesh-gilead agreed to serve Nahash because they were desperate to avoid destruction by a powerful enemy. They were willing to make a difficult choice to ensure their survival.
How does this verse show the desperation of the people?
The verse shows their desperation by highlighting their willingness to serve Nahash just to avoid being destroyed. Their request for a treaty suggests they had no other options.
Who was Nahash?
Nahash was an Ammonite king who attacked Jabesh-gilead. He was a powerful leader who posed a significant threat to the city and its inhabitants.
What can we learn from the people of Jabesh-gilead's actions?
We can learn that in times of great adversity, we may need to make tough decisions to survive or protect what is important to us. This can involve compromise or submission to a greater power.