King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Sha'ul said to Sh'mu'el, "I did too pay attention to what ADONAI said, and I carried out the mission on which ADONAI sent me. I brought back Agag the king of 'Amalek, and I completely destroyed 'Amalek.
Berean Standard Bible:
“But I did obey the LORD,” Saul replied. “I went on the mission that the LORD gave me. I brought back Agag king of Amalek and devoted the Amalekites to destruction.
American Standard Version:
And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of Jehovah, and have gone the way which Jehovah sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And Saul{H7586} said{H559} unto Samuel{H8050}, Yea, I have obeyed{H8085} the voice{H6963} of the LORD{H3068}, and have gone{H3212} the way{H1870} which the LORD{H3068} sent{H7971} me, and have brought{H935} Agag{H90} the king{H4428} of Amalek{H6002}, and have utterly destroyed{H2763} the Amalekites{H6002}.
Cross-References (KJV):
1 Samuel 15:13
- And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed [be] thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD.
Romans 10:3
- For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
Matthew 19:20
- The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
Luke 18:11
- The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are], extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
Job 34:5
- For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.
1 Samuel 15:8
- And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.
Job 40:8
- Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 1 Samuel 15:20
1 Samuel 15:20 is a part of a narrative that captures a pivotal moment in the history of Israel, reflecting the themes of obedience, divine command, and the consequences of disobedience. This verse is set within the broader context of God's command to King Saul, delivered through the prophet Samuel, to completely destroy the Amalekites and their king, Agag, as an act of divine judgment for their past actions against the Israelites (1 Samuel 15:1-3).
In this verse, Saul claims to have followed God's instructions, stating that he has gone the way the Lord sent him and has utterly destroyed the Amalekites, even bringing back their king, Agag, as a trophy or for sacrifice. However, Saul's words in this verse are quickly revealed to be disingenuous. The following verses show that Saul has, in fact, spared Agag and the best of the livestock, contrary to the explicit command of complete destruction (1 Samuel 15:7-9).
The historical context of this verse is significant. The Amalekites were a nomadic tribe that had attacked the Israelites during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, targeting the weak and the stragglers at the rear of the Israelite camp (Deuteronomy 25:17-19). This act of aggression led to a long-standing enmity between the two peoples and ultimately to God's decree that the Amalekites be eradicated.
Thematically, 1 Samuel 15:20 underscores the importance of obedience to God's commands, especially when those commands are difficult or seem unreasonable. It also highlights the human tendency to rationalize disobedience and the danger of self-deception in the spiritual life. Saul's partial obedience is seen as disobedience, and it leads to dire consequences for him. Samuel's response to Saul in the following verses makes it clear that obedience is better than sacrifice and that God desires compliance with His will over religious rituals (1 Samuel 15:22-23). This moment marks a turning point in Saul's reign, leading to his rejection by God as king over Israel and setting the stage for the rise of David, who would later be anointed as his successor.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7586
There are 335 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁאוּל
Transliteration: Shâʼûwl
Pronunciation: shaw-ool'
Description: passive participle of שָׁאַל; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites; Saul, Shaul. - Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H8050
There are 120 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׁמוּאֵל
Transliteration: Shᵉmûwʼêl
Pronunciation: sehm-oo-ale'
Description: from the passive participle of שָׁמַע and אֵל; heard of God; Shemuel, the name of three Israelites; Samuel, Shemuel. - Strong's Number: H8085
There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁמַע
Transliteration: shâmaʻ
Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness. - Strong's Number: H6963
There are 436 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קוֹל
Transliteration: qôwl
Pronunciation: kole
Description: or קֹל; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound; [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H3212
There are 938 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָלַךְ
Transliteration: yâlak
Pronunciation: yaw-lak'
Description: a primitive root (compare הָלַךְ); to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses); [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. - Strong's Number: H1870
There are 627 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דֶּרֶךְ
Transliteration: derek
Pronunciation: deh'-rek
Description: from דָּרַךְ; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb; along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). - Strong's Number: H7971
There are 790 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלַח
Transliteration: shâlach
Pronunciation: shaw-lakh'
Description: a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications); [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, [idiom] earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out). - Strong's Number: H935
There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בּוֹא
Transliteration: bôwʼ
Pronunciation: bo
Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. - Strong's Number: H90
There are 98 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֲגַג
Transliteration: ʼĂgag
Pronunciation: ag-ag'
Description: or אֲגָג; of uncertain derivation (compare אָגֵא); flame; Agag, a title of Amalekitish kings; Agag. - Strong's Number: H4428
There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
Transliteration: melek
Pronunciation: meh'-lek
Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal. - Strong's Number: H6002
There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֲמָלֵק
Transliteration: ʻĂmâlêq
Pronunciation: am-aw-lake'
Description: probably of foreign origin; Amalek, a descendant of Esau; also his posterity and their country; Amalek. - Strong's Number: H2763
There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָרַם
Transliteration: châram
Pronunciation: khaw-ram'
Description: a primitive root; to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction); physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose; make accursed, consecrate, (utterly) destroy, devote, forfeit, have a flat nose, utterly (slay, make away).