Nahash I

King Nahash I of Ammon was, according to the Old Testament, the king of the nation of Ammon responsible for the siege of Jabesh-Gilead.

Biography
Nahash I was the king of the nation of Ammon (present-day Jordan) around the time that King Saul came to power in Israel. Under his rule, Ammon became powerful and laid claim to much of the surrounding land. Whenever Nahash attacked a city, he would give them certain terms: either fight on and be destroyed or surrender and have the right eye of each person living their gouged out.

During his conquest, he captured the cities of Gad and Ruben, but some of the populace escaped to Jabesh-Gilead. As a result, Nahash laid siege to the city, giving them his usual terms of surrender, but agreed to give them seven days to seek help from the Israelites. As a result, an Israelite army lead by Saul arrived to relieve the city and decisively defeated the Ammonites in the ensuing battle, killing Nahash in the process. he was succeeded by King Nahash II.