Nahash the Ammonite and the Right Eye of Israel

"(And Nahash) [And Nahash] the Ammonite came up, etc., and Nahash said (to them) [to them], etc." (1 Samuel 11:1). Rabbi Levi, and Rabbi Simon, and the Rabbis [interpreted this]. Rabbi Levi said: These are the slingers and the archers of Israel, who are the delight of the eyes of Israel, as you say, "armed with the bow" (Psalms 78:9). And Rabbi Simon said: This is the Sanhedrin of Israel, who are the eyeball of Israel, as you say, "And it shall be, if it be done in error by the eyes of the congregation, etc." (Numbers 15:24). And the Rabbis say: This is the Torah scroll. Nahash the Ammonite said to them: Bring me a Torah scroll, and I will uproot from within it, "No Ammonite shall enter" (Deuteronomy 23:4). ["On this condition will I make a covenant with you, that you gouge out every right eye of yours."]