KJV ORIGINAL
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.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
The leaders of Jabesh said to him, 'Give us seven days to wait, so we can send messengers throughout all of Israel. Then, if no one comes to rescue us, we will surrender to you.'
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
The leaders of Jabesh are asking their enemy for a week's delay to see if anyone in Israel will come help them before they have to give up.
📚 Historical Context
The Ammonite king Nahash had surrounded the city of Jabesh-gilead and threatened to gouge out everyone's right eye as a condition of making peace. This was both a military tactic to disable their fighting ability and a way to bring shame on all of Israel. The people of Jabesh were desperately hoping someone would come to their aid.
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