1 Samuel 11:7-9

New Catholic Bible

⁷ He took a pair of oxen and cut them into pieces. He sent them by messengers all throughout the territory of Israel. He said, “Whoever does not follow Saul and Samuel will have this done to his oxen.” The fear of the Lord came upon the people so that they came out as if they were one man.

⁸ When Saul counted the Israelites who were in Bezek, there were three hundred thousand of them, and thirty thousand from Judah. ⁹ They said to the messengers who had come to them, “Say to the men of Jabesh-gilead: ‘Tomorrow, before the sun warms up, you will have help.’ ” The messengers went and reported this to the men of Jabesh who were elated.