Nahash was the name of a king of Ammon, mentioned in the Books of Samuel. In the surviving account in the Bible, Nahash appears abruptly as the attacker of Jabesh-Gilead, which lay outside the territory he laid claim to. Having subjected the occupants to a siege, the population sought terms for surrender, and were told by Nahash that they had a choice of death (by the sword) or having their right eye gouged out. Somehow (the passage not explaining the difficult accomplishment) the population obtained seven days grace from Nahash, during which they would be allowed to seek help from the Israelites, after which (if the help didn't arrive) they would have to submit to the terms of surrender. In the account, the occupants sought help from the Kingdom of Israel, sending messengers to Saul, and