1 Samuel 15:1-35 is about the consequences of King Saul’s disobedience to God’s commands, highlighting the importance of full obedience and the severity of straying from God’s will.
15 And Samuel said to Saul, “The Lord sent me to anoint you king over his people Israel; now therefore listen to the words of the Lord.”
2 Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘I have noted what Amalek did to Israel in opposing them on the way when they came up out of Egypt.
3 Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.
4 So Saul summoned the people and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand men on foot, and ten thousand men of Judah.
5 And Saul came to the city of Amalek and lay in wait in the valley.
6 Then Saul said to the Kenites, “Go, depart; go down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them. For you showed kindness to all the people of Israel when they came up out of Egypt.” So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.
7 And Saul defeated the Amalekites from Havilah as far as Shur, which is east of Egypt.
8 And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive and devoted to destruction all the people with the edge of the sword.
9 But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fattened calves and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them. All that was despised and worthless they devoted to destruction.
10 The word of the Lord came to Samuel:
11 “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments.” And Samuel was angry, and he cried to the Lord all night.
12 And Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning. And it was told Samuel, “Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself and turned and passed on and went down to Gilgal.”
13 And Samuel came to Saul, and Saul said to him, “Blessed be you to the Lord. I have performed the commandment of the Lord.”
14 But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears and the lowing of the oxen that I hear?”
15 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 to the Lord your God, and the rest we have devoted to destruction.”
16 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Stop! I will tell you what the Lord said to me this night.” And he said to him, “Speak.”
17 And Samuel said, “Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel.
18 And the Lord sent you on a mission and said, ‘Go, devote to destruction the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are consumed.’
19 Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord? Why did you pounce on the spoil and do what was evil in the sight of the Lord?”
20 And Saul said to Samuel, “I have obeyed the voice of the Lord. I have gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me. I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have devoted the Amalekites to destruction.
21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal.”
22 And Samuel said, “Has 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 listen than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.”
24 Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.
25 Now therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me that I may bow before the Lord.
26 And Samuel said to Saul, “I will not return with you. For you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king over Israel.”
27 As Samuel turned to go away, Saul seized the skirt of his robe, and it tore.
28 And Samuel said to him, “The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you.
29 And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or have regret, for he is not a man, that he should have regret.”
30 Then he said, “I have sinned; yet honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, that I may bow before the Lord your God.”
31 So Samuel turned back after Saul, and Saul worshiped the Lord.
32 Then Samuel said, “Bring here to me Agag the king of the Amalekites.” And Agag came to him cheerfully. Agag said, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.”
33 And Samuel said, “As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women.” And Samuel hacked Agag to pieces before the Lord in Gilgal.
34 Then Samuel went to Ramah, and Saul went up to his house in Gibeah of Saul.
35 And Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, but Samuel grieved over Saul. And the Lord regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.
Setting the Scene for 1 Samuel 15:1-35
The scene in 1 Samuel 15 is set in the ancient land of Israel during the reign of King Saul. The chapter begins with Samuel, the prophet, delivering a message from the Lord to King Saul. The Lord commands Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions as punishment for their past sins against the Israelites. Saul is instructed to spare nothing and no one, including men, women, children, and animals.
King Saul gathers his army and sets out to carry out the Lord’s command. The army marches towards the land of the Amalekites, ready to fulfill their mission. As they approach the Amalekite territory, tension and anticipation fill the air as the soldiers prepare for battle. The scene is set on the battlefield, with the sound of marching feet, clanging armor, and the distant cries of the enemy in the background.
As the battle rages on, Saul’s army emerges victorious, but Saul disobeys the Lord’s command by sparing King Agag and the best of the livestock. Samuel confronts Saul about his disobedience, and the scene shifts to a somber and tense confrontation between the prophet and the king. The surroundings are filled with the weight of the consequences of Saul’s actions as Samuel delivers the harsh judgment of the Lord upon Saul for his disobedience.
What is 1 Samuel 15:1-35 about?
We witness the tragic downfall of Saul, the first king of Israel in this verse. Saul’s disobedience to God’s command to completely destroy the Amalekites illustrates the grave consequences of defying divine will. Saul deviates from God’s instructions by sparing some of the Amalekites and their livestock, revealing a lack of faith and obedience. Reflect on the weight of Saul’s actions and the repercussions that follow as a reader. Consider the significance of obedience and trust in God’s plans, even when they may seem difficult or incomprehensible. Think about the ways in which Saul’s disobedience led to the loss of his kingship and the unraveling of his reign. Contemplate the importance of aligning our actions with God’s will and the danger of straying from His guidance. This verse ultimately serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of faithfulness in following God’s commands. Let Saul’s story encourage you to seek obedience and trust in God’s perfect plan, knowing that His ways are higher than our own. May this verse inspire you to walk in faith and submission, avoiding the pitfalls of disobedience and remaining steadfast in your devotion to God.
Understanding what 1 Samuel 15:1-35 really means
Introduction and Context
1 Samuel 15:1-35 recounts a pivotal moment in the Old Testament when King Saul disobeys God’s command, delivered through the prophet Samuel, to completely destroy the Amalekites and all they possess. This act of disobedience leads to Saul’s rejection as king by God. Understanding this passage requires examining its historical and spiritual context. The Amalekites were long-time enemies of Israel, and God’s command was a judgment on their persistent wickedness (Deuteronomy 25:17-19). This story highlights themes of obedience, repentance, and the consequences of straying from God’s directives.
Key Phrases and Their Meanings
One of the most striking phrases in this passage is when Samuel confronts Saul, saying, “To obey is better than sacrifice.” This statement encapsulates the essence of the narrative. Obedience to God’s commands is paramount, even above religious rituals or offerings. Another significant moment is when Saul admits, “I have sinned,” yet his repentance is shallow, driven more by a desire to maintain his status than genuine remorse. This superficial repentance underscores the importance of heartfelt contrition in our relationship with God.
Supporting Passages
Other biblical passages reinforce these themes. For instance, in Hosea 6:6, God declares, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.” This echoes the importance of inner devotion over external rituals. Furthermore, in the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes obedience in John 14:15: “If you love me, keep my commands.” These scriptures collectively underscore that our actions and the intentions behind them matter deeply to God.
Relevance Today
This passage remains highly relevant today. Our modern context challenges us to reflect on our priorities. Are we merely going through the motions of religious practices, or are we genuinely seeking to align our lives with God’s will? The story of Saul serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of partial obedience and the importance of integrity in our spiritual walk. A man once promised his friend he would help him move houses. On the day of the move, the man showed up late, did minimal work, and left early, claiming he had fulfilled his promise. While he technically showed up, his half-hearted effort left his friend feeling unsupported and disappointed. Similarly, partial obedience to God’s commands is insufficient. God desires our full commitment and sincere effort. God values our obedience and genuine repentance over superficial religious acts, as powerfully reminded in 1 Samuel 15:1-35. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you are offering “sacrifices” instead of true obedience? How can you align your actions more closely with God’s will? Let this passage inspire you to seek a deeper, more authentic relationship with God, characterized by wholehearted obedience and sincere repentance.
How can we remain obedient to God’s commands?
To remain obedient to God’s commands means to fully carry out what He has instructed without compromise or hesitation. It involves following God’s directions wholeheartedly, without adding our own interpretations or altering His instructions to suit our own desires or circumstances. Obedience to God requires discipline, trust, and a willingness to submit our will to His, even when it may be difficult or goes against our own preferences.
One way to ensure obedience to God’s commands is to continually seek His will through prayer, studying His Word, and surrounding ourselves with fellow believers who can encourage and challenge us in our faith journey. We can strengthen our obedience and resist the temptation to deviate from His commands by keeping our hearts and minds focused on God and actively seeking His guidance. Additionally, reflecting on the examples of faithfulness and obedience in the Bible, like the stories found in 1 Samuel 15, can serve as reminders of the importance of following God wholeheartedly and the consequences of disobedience.
Application
Think of your life as a balance between work and family. Just as neglecting one causes turmoil, so does ignoring God’s will. Remember Saul’s downfall from not fully obeying God—it’s a lesson for us today. Reflect on your choices. Are you really giving all your effort to align with God’s plan? What’s holding you back from complete obedience?
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.