I Samuel 15 Commentary: Obedience Over Sacrifice
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I Samuel 15 recounts a pivotal moment in Israel's history, marking a significant turning point in Saul's reign and foreshadowing the rise of David. This chapter underscores the vital importance of obedience to God's commands, revealing that genuine devotion is expressed through faithful action rather than mere ritualistic offerings. It also highlights the consequences of disobedience, not only for individuals but also for the nation as a whole. This chapter is strategic for the author’s purpose of introducing David and his dynasty in the chapters to follow. It was important to show how Saul’s disobedience had disqualified him and his family from the kingship, and that it was the Lord who chose David and his descendants. Through David’s line, God would fulfill his covenant promise to send an eternal ruler, his Messiah.
Context: Saul's Disobedience and Rejection
First Samuel 14 concluded with a summary of Saul's reign. Chapter 15 details God's rejection of Saul as king. The seeds of Saul's downfall were sown in I Samuel 13, where it was indicated that Saul's dynasty would not endure due to his disobedience (I Samuel 13:8–14). Here, Saul himself is rejected. The Lord commands Saul to fulfill His longstanding judgment against the Amalekites. Saul and his army defeat Amalek, but Saul disobeys God by sparing the king and the best animals. Saul eventually admits that he has sinned, but Samuel says God will not change His mind about rejecting Saul as king. From a heavenly perspective, Saul is rejected; but from an earthly perspective, he would continue his rule for another fifteen to twenty years.
The Divine Mandate: Destroying Amalek (I Samuel 15:1-3)
Samuel, acting as God's prophet, delivers a specific and seemingly harsh command to Saul. The Lord instructs Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites, a nation deeply entrenched in their wickedness and known for their historical animosity towards Israel. This command extends to all their possessions, including people and livestock. This wasn't a random act of aggression, but the execution of a judgment long foretold. God had seen what they did to his people as they were coming out of Egypt (I Samuel 15:2; see Exodus 17:8-16). God had promised at that time to eventually “blot out the memory of Amalek under heaven” (Exodus 17:14). So, God appointed Saul to complete the Amalekites’ destruction, even down to their animals. This command highlights the seriousness of sin and God's commitment to justice.
Saul's Partial Obedience and the Kenites (I Samuel 15:4-9)
Saul gathers a massive army and prepares for battle, demonstrating an initial willingness to obey. Before engaging the Amalekites, Saul wisely instructs the Kenites, a nomadic people living near the Amalekites, a chance to escape because they had been kind to the Israelites during the exodus (I Samuel 15:6). They were also the people of Moses’s father-in-law, Jeth-ro (see Judges 1:16). This act of kindness is remembered and rewarded, showcasing God's mercy and fairness.
Saul sets the attack (I Samuel 15:4-5), and may have begun with the intention of obeying God’s instructions as delivered through Samuel. But, as the battle raged and the Israelites got the upper hand, Saul apparently got a big head. Though he struck down the Amalek-ites, he spared King Agag and the best of the . . . animals. These became spoils of war. In spite of the Lord’s explicit command, Saul and his troops were not willing to destroy what God said to destroy (I Samuel 15:8-9). To boldly do what God clearly forbids and then to justify yourself is a conscience-searing act. This act of disobedience, driven by greed and a desire for self-glory, sets the stage for Saul's ultimate rejection.
God's Regret and Samuel's Grief (I Samuel 15:10-11)
The Lord reveals to Samuel His disappointment and regret over making Saul king. "I regret that I made Saul king" (I Samuel 15:11). Clearly, God is omniscient and knew how his reign would turn out. Nevertheless, he was genuinely grieved by Saul’s rebellion against him. This isn't a sign of God's imperfection, but rather an expression of His deep sorrow over human sin and its consequences. Samuel, deeply troubled by this revelation, spends the night in prayer, demonstrating his close relationship with God and his concern for the nation. No one sins in a vacuum. Our disobedience affects God, and it affects the people in our lives.
Confrontation and Justification (I Samuel 15:12-23)
Self-glorification seems to have been Saul’s intent in disobeying orders, because when Samuel came to confront him, he was told that the king had gone to Carmel to set up a monument for himself (I Samuel 15:12). When Samuel confronts Saul, the king initially claims to have obeyed God's command. However, Samuel exposes Saul's lie by pointing to the bleating of sheep and the lowing of oxen (I Samuel 15:14). Saul attempts to justify his actions by claiming that the animals were spared for sacrifice. "The best of the animals were spared in order to offer a sacrifice to the LORD your God" (I Samuel 15:15). In other words, he said, “I slightly modified God’s commands so that I might worship him.” But you can’t honor God by defying him. You can’t glorify the King by rejecting his kingdom agenda.
Samuel sternly rebukes Saul, emphasizing that obedience is far more valuable than sacrifice. The lesson Saul missed was the timeless principle that to obey is better than sacrifice, to pay attention is better than the fat of rams (I Samuel 15:22). In other words, the Lord calls people to submit to his agenda, not to attempt to honor him with their own agendas. He declares that rebellion is akin to divination and idolatry, and that God has rejected Saul as king (I Samuel 15:23). This powerful message highlights the importance of genuine obedience rooted in a sincere desire to please God, rather than simply going through the motions of religious practice.
Admission and Desperation (I Samuel 15:24-31)
Saul then modifies his justification for his actions. He admitted that he had sinned, but blamed the people for it (I Samuel 15:24). Unfortunately, Saul feared humans more than he feared God. He begs Samuel for forgiveness and asks him to return with him to worship God. Saul asked Samuel for forgiveness and begged him to return with him to the people to show that Saul had not lost Samuel’s support (I Samuel 15:25). That Saul grabbed and tore Samuel’s robe (I Samuel 15:27) shows a desperate man grasping for a straw of hope, but even that became a prophetic sign against him (I Samuel 15:28-29). Samuel refuses, stating unequivocally that God has rejected Saul's kingship. In a dramatic moment, Saul tears Samuel's robe, symbolizing the tearing away of the kingdom from him. When Saul pleaded with Samuel to honor him before the elders, Samuel eventually agreed (I Samuel 15:30-31). But, it didn’t change God’s decree, even though Saul would rule for many more years.
The Final Act: Samuel Executes Agag (I Samuel 15:32-35)
Samuel's greater mission in returning with Saul was to finish the job this failed king was supposed to have accomplished. He calls for King Agag and then personally put him to death (I Samuel 15:31-33). This decisive act underscores the completeness of God's judgment and the seriousness of Saul's failure. Samuel and Saul part ways, their relationship irrevocably broken. The statement in verse 35 that Samuel never saw Saul again does not contradict Saul’s appearance before Samuel in 19:24. The verb see can also mean “to have regard for, to take notice of.” As far as Samuel was concerned, then, his relationship with Saul was over. God had rejected him.
Key Takeaways and Applications
I Samuel 15 offers several important lessons for believers today:
- Obedience is paramount: True worship involves a willing submission to God's commands, even when they are difficult or don't make sense to us.
- Partial obedience is disobedience: God desires wholehearted devotion, not half-hearted compliance.
- Justification is unacceptable: We cannot excuse our disobedience by claiming good intentions or offering religious sacrifices.
- Fear of man is a snare: Seeking the approval of others over God's favor leads to compromise and ultimately, rejection.
- Consequences of disobedience: Disobedience has far-reaching consequences, affecting not only the individual but also those around them.
This chapter serves as a sobering reminder that God desires a relationship built on trust and obedience. It challenges us to examine our own hearts and ensure that our actions align with His will. By prioritizing obedience over sacrifice, we can experience the fullness of God's blessing and avoid the tragic fate of Saul.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I Samuel 15 recounts a pivotal moment in Israel's history, marking a significant turning point in Saul's reign and foreshadowing the rise of David. This chapter underscores the vital importance of obedience to God's commands, revealing that genuine devotion is expressed through faithful action rather than mere ritualistic offerings. It also highlights the consequences of disobedience, not only for individuals but also for the nation as a whole. This chapter is strategic for the author’s purpose of introducing David and his dynasty in the chapters to follow. It was important to show how Saul’s disobedience had disqualified him and his family from the kingship, and that it was the Lord who chose David and his descendants. Through David’s line, God would fulfill his covenant promise to send an eternal ruler, his Messiah.
Context: Saul's Disobedience and Rejection
First Samuel 14 concluded with a summary of Saul's reign. Chapter 15 details God's rejection of Saul as king. The seeds of Saul's downfall were sown in I Samuel 13, where it was indicated that Saul's dynasty would not endure due to his disobedience (I Samuel 13:8–14). Here, Saul himself is rejected. The Lord commands Saul to fulfill His longstanding judgment against the Amalekites. Saul and his army defeat Amalek, but Saul disobeys God by sparing the king and the best animals. Saul eventually admits that he has sinned, but Samuel says God will not change His mind about rejecting Saul as king. From a heavenly perspective, Saul is rejected; but from an earthly perspective, he would continue his rule for another fifteen to twenty years.
The Divine Mandate: Destroying Amalek (I Samuel 15:1-3)
Samuel, acting as God's prophet, delivers a specific and seemingly harsh command to Saul. The Lord instructs Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites, a nation deeply entrenched in their wickedness and known for their historical animosity towards Israel. This command extends to all their possessions, including people and livestock. This wasn't a random act of aggression, but the execution of a judgment long foretold. God had seen what they did to his people as they were coming out of Egypt (I Samuel 15:2; see Exodus 17:8-16). God had promised at that time to eventually “blot out the memory of Amalek under heaven” (Exodus 17:14). So, God appointed Saul to complete the Amalekites’ destruction, even down to their animals. This command highlights the seriousness of sin and God's commitment to justice.
Saul's Partial Obedience and the Kenites (I Samuel 15:4-9)
Saul gathers a massive army and prepares for battle, demonstrating an initial willingness to obey. Before engaging the Amalekites, Saul wisely instructs the Kenites, a nomadic people living near the Amalekites, a chance to escape because they had been kind to the Israelites during the exodus (I Samuel 15:6). They were also the people of Moses’s father-in-law, Jeth-ro (see Judges 1:16). This act of kindness is remembered and rewarded, showcasing God's mercy and fairness.
Saul sets the attack (I Samuel 15:4-5), and may have begun with the intention of obeying God’s instructions as delivered through Samuel. But, as the battle raged and the Israelites got the upper hand, Saul apparently got a big head. Though he struck down the Amalek-ites, he spared King Agag and the best of the . . . animals. These became spoils of war. In spite of the Lord’s explicit command, Saul and his troops were not willing to destroy what God said to destroy (I Samuel 15:8-9). To boldly do what God clearly forbids and then to justify yourself is a conscience-searing act. This act of disobedience, driven by greed and a desire for self-glory, sets the stage for Saul's ultimate rejection.
God's Regret and Samuel's Grief (I Samuel 15:10-11)
The Lord reveals to Samuel His disappointment and regret over making Saul king. "I regret that I made Saul king" (I Samuel 15:11). Clearly, God is omniscient and knew how his reign would turn out. Nevertheless, he was genuinely grieved by Saul’s rebellion against him. This isn't a sign of God's imperfection, but rather an expression of His deep sorrow over human sin and its consequences. Samuel, deeply troubled by this revelation, spends the night in prayer, demonstrating his close relationship with God and his concern for the nation. No one sins in a vacuum. Our disobedience affects God, and it affects the people in our lives.
Confrontation and Justification (I Samuel 15:12-23)
Self-glorification seems to have been Saul’s intent in disobeying orders, because when Samuel came to confront him, he was told that the king had gone to Carmel to set up a monument for himself (I Samuel 15:12). When Samuel confronts Saul, the king initially claims to have obeyed God's command. However, Samuel exposes Saul's lie by pointing to the bleating of sheep and the lowing of oxen (I Samuel 15:14). Saul attempts to justify his actions by claiming that the animals were spared for sacrifice. "The best of the animals were spared in order to offer a sacrifice to the LORD your God" (I Samuel 15:15). In other words, he said, “I slightly modified God’s commands so that I might worship him.” But you can’t honor God by defying him. You can’t glorify the King by rejecting his kingdom agenda.
Samuel sternly rebukes Saul, emphasizing that obedience is far more valuable than sacrifice. The lesson Saul missed was the timeless principle that to obey is better than sacrifice, to pay attention is better than the fat of rams (I Samuel 15:22). In other words, the Lord calls people to submit to his agenda, not to attempt to honor him with their own agendas. He declares that rebellion is akin to divination and idolatry, and that God has rejected Saul as king (I Samuel 15:23). This powerful message highlights the importance of genuine obedience rooted in a sincere desire to please God, rather than simply going through the motions of religious practice.
Admission and Desperation (I Samuel 15:24-31)
Saul then modifies his justification for his actions. He admitted that he had sinned, but blamed the people for it (I Samuel 15:24). Unfortunately, Saul feared humans more than he feared God. He begs Samuel for forgiveness and asks him to return with him to worship God. Saul asked Samuel for forgiveness and begged him to return with him to the people to show that Saul had not lost Samuel’s support (I Samuel 15:25). That Saul grabbed and tore Samuel’s robe (I Samuel 15:27) shows a desperate man grasping for a straw of hope, but even that became a prophetic sign against him (I Samuel 15:28-29). Samuel refuses, stating unequivocally that God has rejected Saul's kingship. In a dramatic moment, Saul tears Samuel's robe, symbolizing the tearing away of the kingdom from him. When Saul pleaded with Samuel to honor him before the elders, Samuel eventually agreed (I Samuel 15:30-31). But, it didn’t change God’s decree, even though Saul would rule for many more years.
The Final Act: Samuel Executes Agag (I Samuel 15:32-35)
Samuel's greater mission in returning with Saul was to finish the job this failed king was supposed to have accomplished. He calls for King Agag and then personally put him to death (I Samuel 15:31-33). This decisive act underscores the completeness of God's judgment and the seriousness of Saul's failure. Samuel and Saul part ways, their relationship irrevocably broken. The statement in verse 35 that Samuel never saw Saul again does not contradict Saul’s appearance before Samuel in 19:24. The verb see can also mean “to have regard for, to take notice of.” As far as Samuel was concerned, then, his relationship with Saul was over. God had rejected him.
Key Takeaways and Applications
I Samuel 15 offers several important lessons for believers today:
- Obedience is paramount: True worship involves a willing submission to God's commands, even when they are difficult or don't make sense to us.
- Partial obedience is disobedience: God desires wholehearted devotion, not half-hearted compliance.
- Justification is unacceptable: We cannot excuse our disobedience by claiming good intentions or offering religious sacrifices.
- Fear of man is a snare: Seeking the approval of others over God's favor leads to compromise and ultimately, rejection.
- Consequences of disobedience: Disobedience has far-reaching consequences, affecting not only the individual but also those around them.
This chapter serves as a sobering reminder that God desires a relationship built on trust and obedience. It challenges us to examine our own hearts and ensure that our actions align with His will. By prioritizing obedience over sacrifice, we can experience the fullness of God's blessing and avoid the tragic fate of Saul.