“and struck the Ammonites.” The people of Jabesh-gilead never forgot this kind action of King Saul in rescuing them from the Ammonites, and years later risked their lives to take his body down from the wall of Beth-shean to keep it from being desecrated (1 Sam. 31:11-12).

“survived.” The Hebrew is more literally, “were left,” but the idea is “left alive” after the battle.