Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Samuel 11:5. It’s a really important and unsettling passage in the Bible that tells us about a man named Saul who became incredibly ambitious and ultimately led to tragedy. Here’s what it means, explained simply: The Basic Situation: Saul was a leader: In this story, Saul was a powerful military commander in Israel. He was known for his bravery and skill at fighting. He's out of the field: Saul is traveling with a group of people (the "herd") while he’s not actively engaged in combat. He questions the people: Saul begins to ask the people around him what they are weeping about. He’s curious why they seem distressed. What happened next – The Key Part: “And Saul said, What [aileth] the people that they weep?” This is where it gets a bit tricky with the word "aileth." It's an Old Testament phrase that means “a great deal,” “many,” or “much.” Saul is essentially asking, "Why are so many people crying?" “…and they told him the tidings of the men of Jabesh.” This is where it gets even more surprising. The people respond by telling Saul about a group of men called the Jabesh. The word “Jabesh” has a very specific meaning – it refers to a group of spies . These spies were known for their deceit and loyalty to others, often working against Israel’s interests. So, what does this all mean? This verse paints a picture of a man who was driven by ambition and pride. He started with a simple question – why are people crying? – but it quickly turns into a story about betrayal and a conspiracy. It highlights Saul’s flaws: It shows that even someone with great power can be susceptible to being influenced by others, especially when they're driven by their own desires. It foreshadows tragedy: The story of the Jabesh is a significant event in Israel’s history – it led to Saul’s downfall and ultimately his exile from the kingdom. In short, this verse describes a moment of questioning that escalated into a conspiracy and resulted in a major loss for Israel. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the story? Talk about the significance of the Jabesh people? Give you a little more context on Saul’s character?