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1 Samuel 15

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 15 of 31

1 And Samuel said to Saul, Jehovah sent me to anoint you king over His people, over Israel. And now listen to the voice of the words of Jehovah.

2 So says Jehovah of Hosts, I will call to account Amalek for that which he did to Israel, because he set himself against him in the way, when he came up from Egypt.

3 Now go, and you strike Amalek and destroy all that is to him, and you shall have no pity on him, but cause to die all, from man to woman, from child to suckling, from ox to sheep, from camel to ass.

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Chapter Summary

Samuel sends Saul to destroy Amalek. He spares Agag and the best of the plunder. Samuel reveals to Saul Jehovah's rejection of him. Samuel and Saul part.

Key Hebrew Words

חָרַם utterly destroy, devote H2763 · TWOT 745
חָמַל spare, have pity H2550 · TWOT 676
שָׁמַע obey, listen H8085 · TWOT 2412
מָאַס reject H3988 · TWOT 1139
נָחַם repent, be sorry H5162 · TWOT 1344
קֶ֫סֶם divination H7081 · TWOT 2044a

People & Context

Samuel

The prophet who relays Jehovah's command, confronts Saul, declares his rejection, and hews Agag in pieces at Gilgal

Saul

Israel's king who strikes Amalek but spares Agag and the best of the spoil, and is rejected from being king

Agag

King of Amalek, captured alive and spared by Saul, then cut in pieces by Samuel before Jehovah

Timeline

Command to Destroy Amalek

Samuel commands Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites, striking down every living creature, in retaliation for their ambushes when Israel came out of Egypt.

1 Samuel 15:1-3
Saul Gathers the Army and Warns the Kenites

Saul musters 210,000 men at Telaim, warns the friendly Kenites to depart to avoid destruction, and strikes the Amalekites from Havilah to Shur.

1 Samuel 15:4-7
Saul Disobeys God's Command

While destroying the worthless items and people, Saul and his army disobey God by capturing King Agag alive and sparing the best of the flocks and herds.

1 Samuel 15:8-9

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