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1 Samuel 15 Saul's Jealousy and David's Triumphs

1 The Lord Rejects Saul as King
Samuel said to Saul, “I am the one the Lord sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so listen now to the message from the Lord.

2 This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt.

3 Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”

4 So Saul summoned the men and mustered them at Telaim—two hundred thousand foot soldiers and ten thousand men from Judah.

5 Saul went to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the ravine.

6 Then he said to the Kenites, “Go away, leave the Amalekites so that I do not destroy you along with them; for you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt.” So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites.

7 Then Saul attacked the Amalekites all the way from Havilah to Shur, to the east of Egypt.

8 He took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and all his people he totally destroyed with the sword.

9 But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs—everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed.

10 Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel:

11 “I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.” Samuel was troubled, and he cried out to the Lord all that night.

12 Early in the morning Samuel got up and went to meet Saul, but he was told, “Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honor and has turned and gone on down to Gilgal.”

13 When Samuel reached him, Saul said, “The Lord bless you! I have carried out the Lord’s instructions.”

14 But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?”

15 Saul answered, “The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord your God, but we totally destroyed the rest.”

16 “Stop!” Samuel said to Saul. “Let me tell you what the Lord said to me last night.”
“Tell me,” Saul replied.

17 Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel.

18 And he sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and completely destroy those wicked people, the Amalekites; make war on them until you have wiped them out.’

19 Why did you not obey the Lord? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do evil in the eyes of the Lord?”

20 “But I did obey the Lord,” Saul said. “I went on the mission the Lord assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king.

21 The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the Lord your God at Gilgal.”

22 But Samuel replied:
“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
he has rejected you as king.”

24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the Lord’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them.

25 Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the Lord.”

26 But Samuel said to him, “I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you as king over Israel!”

27 As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore.

28 Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors—to one better than you.

29 He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind.”

30 Saul replied, “I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the Lord your God.”

31 So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the Lord.

32 Then Samuel said, “Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites.”
Agag came to him confidently, thinking, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.”

33 But Samuel said,
“As your sword has made women childless,
so will your mother be childless among women.”
And Samuel put Agag to death before the Lord at Gilgal.

34 Then Samuel left for Ramah, but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul.

35 Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. And the Lord was grieved that he had made Saul king over Israel.

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Analysis of 1 Samuel Chapter 15

Chapter 15 of the book of 1 Samuel is a compelling and thought-provoking passage that delves into themes of obedience, divine command, human disobedience, consequences, and the complexities of leadership. This chapter recounts the narrative of King Saul’s failure to fully obey God’s explicit instructions through the prophet Samuel, leading to his eventual rejection as king. Let us examine this chapter verse by verse, unveiling deep insights and interpretations throughout.

Verses 1-3: God’s Command

1 Samuel 15:1-3 reads:

‘Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD. Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt. Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.’

These initial verses set the stage for the chapter. Samuel, the prophet, reiterates to Saul that it is by divine appointment that he is king. This emphasizes the authority of God over Saul’s kingship and the expectation of Saul’s obedience. Samuel conveys God’s clear and specific command to Saul to wage war against the Amalekites and utterly destroy them, leaving nothing alive.

The severity of this command underscores God’s judgment against the Amalekites for their past actions against Israel. The instruction to annihilate every living being and their possessions illustrates the concept of herem, or holy war, where certain battles were to be completely devoted to God, leaving no room for personal gain or mercy outside of divine will.

Verses 4-9: Saul’s Incomplete Obedience

1 Samuel 15:4-9 reads:

‘And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah. And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley. And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for ye shewed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites. And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt. And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.’

Saul complies with part of God’s command by assembling a large army and attacking the Amalekites. However, his obedience is partial as he spares King Agag and the best of the livestock. This selective compliance highlights a critical lesson: partial obedience is disobedience in the eyes of God. By sparing Agag and keeping the best livestock, Saul allows personal judgment and potential self-interest to override God’s explicit command. This act demonstrates a failure to fully surrender to divine will.

Verses 10-11: God’s Regret

1 Samuel 15:10-11 reads:

‘Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying, It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.’

The word “repenteth” here signifies a profound expression of regret or sorrow. This passage provides a theological exploration of divine emotions. Though God is omniscient, the expression of regret indicates His displeasure and sorrow over Saul’s rebellion. This anthropopathic language helps readers grasp the depth of the relationship between God and His chosen leader. Samuel’s grief and all-night prayer reflect his deep concern and personal investment in Saul’s kingship, showcasing the intercessory role of a prophet.

Verses 12-15: Confrontation with Samuel

1 Samuel 15:12-15 reads:

‘And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal. And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD. And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear? And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.’

Here we see Saul’s initial attempt to justify his incomplete obedience. He greets Samuel with a declaration of having performed God’s command, but Samuel immediately challenges him with evidence of his disobedience—the sounds of the spared livestock. Saul’s response is to shift blame to the people and rationalize their actions as intended sacrifices to God. This exchange reveals Saul’s failure to take responsibility for his actions and his misunderstanding of the nature of true obedience.

Verses 16-23: Samuel Rebukes Saul

1 Samuel 15:16-23 reads:

‘Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on. And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel? And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed. Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?

And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal. And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.’

Samuel’s rebuke powerfully elucidates the principle that obedience to God’s word overrides ceremonial observances. By recalling Saul’s initial humility and divine appointment, Samuel underscores the gravity of Saul’s deviation from God’s command. The rhetorical questions and pointed assertions remind Saul of his sacred duty and the severe implications of his failure to fulfill it.

The climax of the rebuke is Samuel’s declaration that “to obey is better than sacrifice.” This shifts the focus from external religious rituals to the heart’s alignment with God’s will. The comparison of rebellion to witchcraft and stubbornness to idolatry magnifies the severity of Saul’s disobedience, equating it with grievous sins. Ultimately, Saul’s rejection by God as king is pronounced.

Verses 24-31: Saul’s Confession and Plea

1 Samuel 15:24-31 reads:

‘And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice. Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD. And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel. And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent. And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou. And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.

Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God. So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the LORD.’

Saul’s admission of sin and his plea for Samuel’s forgiveness and support reveal a tragic acknowledgment of failure. His confession that he acted out of fear of the people’s opinion highlights a fundamental flaw in his leadership—seeking to please people over God.

Samuel’s refusal to return with Saul and the symbolic tearing of his mantle signify the irrevocable nature of God’s judgment. The divine statement that God does not lie or change His mind reinforces the finality of Saul’s rejection as king. Despite this, Samuel accompanies Saul one last time, showcasing the prophet’s willingness to help Saul worship the Lord, underscoring the mercy and grace available even in judgment.

Verses 32-35: Agag’s End and the Aftermath

1 Samuel 15:32-35 reads:

‘Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past. And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.

Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul. And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless, Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.’

The execution of Agag by Samuel completes the divine command that Saul failed to fulfill. Agag’s arrogance and assumption of safety are met with Samuel’s recognition of justice and the importance of complete obedience. Samuel’s act is both judicial and symbolic, serving as a somber reminder of the consequences of failing to adhere to God’s instructions.

The chapter concludes with a poignant separation. Samuel and Saul go their separate ways, and there is a final note of mourning and divine regret. Samuel’s mourning underscores his personal grief over Saul’s failure and the lost potential of his kingship. This ending note reiterates the serious implications of leadership, obedience, and the weight of divine commands.

Conclusion

1 Samuel Chapter 15 offers multifaceted lessons on the nature of obedience, the consequences of disobedience, and the solemn responsibilities of leadership. Saul’s partial obedience and subsequent rationalizations serve as a warning to all believers about the dangers of incomplete adherence to God’s word. Through Samuel’s interactions with Saul, the chapter highlights the importance of humility, accountability, and the prioritization of God’s directives over human judgment and fear of man. Ultimately, this chapter underscores the necessity of full obedience to God’s commands to fulfill one’s divine purpose and avoid the pitfalls of rebellion and disobedience.