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.
The elders of Jabesh said unto him, Give us seven days' respite. It may appear surprising that this barbarian chief allowed them such an interval. But Josephus informs us ('Antiquities,' b. 6:, ch. 5:, sec. 2) that it arose from the contempt he entertained for them.
That we may send messengers unto all the coasts of Israel. The usual way for a people besieged to implore assistance was by raising a dense smoke during the day, and kindling a fire on a conspicuous height at night, or by waving lighted torches (Jeremiah 6:1). At other times they sent messengers to inform their friends and allies (see the note at Joshua 10:6). But the Gileadites did not send to Saul-a curious proof of the general dissatisfaction that prevailed as to his appointment as king. Those Gileadites deemed him capable neither of advising nor succouring them; and even in his own town the appeal was made to the people, not to the prince.