5 and lo, Saul hath come after the herd out of the field, and Saul saith, 'What—to the people, that they weep?' and they recount to him the words of the men of Jabesh. 6 And the Spirit of God doth prosper over Saul, in his hearing these words, and his anger burneth greatly, 7 and he taketh a couple of oxen, and cutteth them in pieces, and sendeth through all the border of Israel, by the hand of the messengers, saying, 'He who is not coming out after Saul and after Samuel—thus it is done to his oxen;' and the fear of Jehovah falleth on the people, and they come out as one man.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 11:5-7
Commentary on 1 Samuel 11:1-11
(Read 1 Samuel 11:1-11)
The first fruit of Saul's government was the rescue of Jabesh-gilead from the Ammonites. To save their lives, men will part with liberty, and even consent to have their eyes put out; is it then no wisdom to part with that sin which is as dear to us as our right eye, rather than to be cast into hell-fire? See the faith and confidence of Saul, and, grounded thereon, his courage and resolution. See also his activity in this business. When the Spirit of the Lord comes upon men, it will make them expert, even without experience. When zeal for the glory of God, and love for the brethren, urge men to earnest efforts, and when God is pleased to help, great effects may speedily be produced.