1 Samuel 15:13

KJV

And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed [be] thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Samuel {H8050} came {H935} to Saul {H7586}: and Saul {H7586} said {H559} unto him, Blessed {H1288} be thou of the LORD {H3068}: I have performed {H6965} the commandment {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Sh'mu'el went to Sha'ul; Sha'ul said to him, "May ADONAI bless you! I have done what ADONAI ordered."

Berean Standard Bible

When Samuel reached him, Saul said to him, “May the LORD bless you. I have carried out the LORD’s instructions.”

American Standard Version

And Samuel came to Saul; and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of Jehovah: I have performed the commandment of Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 15:13 encapsulates a moment of profound irony and dramatic tension as the prophet Samuel confronts King Saul following the campaign against the Amalekites. Saul's immediate and confident declaration, "Blessed [be] thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD," serves not as a truthful report but as a self-deceptive justification for his partial obedience, directly contradicting God's explicit command for complete annihilation. This pivotal exchange foreshadows Saul's ultimate rejection by God and highlights the critical importance of wholehearted submission to divine instruction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks a critical turning point in the narrative of King Saul's reign, immediately following God's expression of regret to Samuel for having made Saul king due to his disobedience (1 Samuel 15:10-11). The preceding verses detail God's explicit command, delivered through Samuel, for Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites—men, women, children, infants, and all livestock—as a divine judgment (see [1 Samuel 15:3](/1_samuel/15-3 "1 Samuel 15:3 - God's Command to Destroy Amalek")). However, Saul, swayed by the people and perhaps by a desire for spoils or a show of piety, spared King Agag and the best of the sheep and oxen (as recounted in [1 Samuel 15:9](/1_samuel/15-9 "1 Samuel 15:9 - Saul's Partial Obedience")). Therefore, Saul's confident assertion in verse 13, claiming full compliance, stands in stark and immediate contradiction to the narrative's preceding revelation of his partial obedience, setting the stage for Samuel's dramatic and revelatory confrontation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The command to utterly destroy the Amalekites (known as *herem* warfare or "devotion to destruction") was not an arbitrary act but a severe divine judgment against a people who had historically attacked Israel unprovoked and shown persistent enmity towards God's chosen nation (see [Exodus 17:8-16](/exodus/17-8 "Exodus 17:8-16 - Amalek Attacks Israel") and [Deuteronomy 25:17-19](/deuteronomy/25-17 "Deuteronomy 25:17-19 - Remember Amalek")). In *herem* warfare, all spoils were to be destroyed or dedicated to God, not taken for personal gain, signifying God's absolute sovereignty and the purity of His judgment. Saul, as the newly appointed king of Israel, was expected to be the obedient executor of God's will, not a self-serving monarch. His failure to adhere to the *herem* principle, influenced by the desires of his soldiers, demonstrated a critical flaw in his leadership and his understanding of the unique nature of Israel's kingship, which was always subservient to God's divine authority.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within 1 Samuel and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights **The Nature of True Obedience**, demonstrating that partial obedience is, in God's eyes, complete disobedience; God demands wholehearted submission, not selective compliance. Saul's claim also underscores the theme of **Self-Deception and Justification**, as he attempts to rationalize or even deny his transgression, revealing a heart more concerned with outward appearance than inward truth. Furthermore, the confrontation initiated by Samuel's arrival emphasizes **Divine Accountability and Judgment**, illustrating that no human attempt to cover up or justify disobedience can escape God's scrutiny. This pivotal moment foreshadows Samuel's famous declaration that "to obey is better than sacrifice" ([1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience Better Than Sacrifice")), marking a significant step in Saul's tragic downfall and the eventual transfer of the kingdom to David.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Performed (Hebrew, _qiyamti'_):** Derived from the root קוּם (_qum_), meaning "to rise," "to stand up," "to establish," or "to fulfill." Saul's use of this verb implies a complete and successful execution of the divine directive. He asserts that he has not merely attempted but has fully "stood up to" and "established" the Lord's command. The profound irony is that this verb, signifying thoroughness and completion, is used to describe an act of blatant partial obedience, exposing Saul's self-deception or deliberate misrepresentation.
* **Commandment (Hebrew, _mitzvath'_):** This term refers to a divine injunction or precept, emphasizing its origin in God's authoritative will. For Saul, the "commandment of the LORD" was specific and unambiguous: the complete destruction of the Amalekites and all their possessions. His claim to have "performed" this _mitzvah_ underscores the gravity of his failure, as a commandment from the Lord is not open to human interpretation, modification, or selective obedience. It demands unreserved submission.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Samuel came to Saul:"** This simple statement carries immense weight, marking the inevitable divine confrontation. Samuel's arrival signifies that God's knowledge of Saul's actions is complete, and an accounting is due. It sets the stage for a dramatic and tragic turning point in Saul's reign, where the prophet, as God's messenger, brings divine judgment to bear upon the king.
* **"and Saul said unto him,"** This introduces Saul's immediate response, revealing his character and state of mind. His quickness to speak suggests either a genuine, but misguided, belief in his own obedience, or a pre-emptive attempt to control the narrative and deflect any potential accusation. It highlights Saul's tendency towards self-justification and a desire to appear righteous.
* **"Blessed [be] thou of the LORD:"** This greeting, while outwardly pious and respectful, functions here as a strategic maneuver. By blessing Samuel, Saul attempts to establish a positive, even celebratory, atmosphere, perhaps hoping to pre-empt any criticism or to present himself as a faithful servant of God who has just completed a successful, divinely-sanctioned mission. It serves as a deflection, a smokescreen intended to obscure his impending confession and the truth of his disobedience.
* **"I have performed the commandment of the LORD."** This is the crux of Saul's self-justification and deception. The declaration is absolute and unequivocal, asserting total compliance with God's specific and stringent command regarding the Amalekites. This statement stands in stark contradiction to the preceding verses (1 Samuel 15:8-9), which detail Saul's selective obedience and his sparing of Agag and the best of the livestock. It highlights Saul's profound self-deception or his deliberate attempt to mislead Samuel and, by extension, God, about the extent of his obedience.

#### Literary Devices
The literary artistry in 1 Samuel 15:13 is striking, primarily through the pervasive use of **Irony**. Saul's confident declaration, "I have performed the commandment of the LORD," stands in stark and tragic contrast to the preceding narrative, which explicitly details his partial obedience and direct defiance of God's command to utterly destroy the Amalekites. This creates a profound sense of dramatic irony, as the reader is fully aware of Saul's transgression, making his self-congratulatory statement deeply unsettling and indicative of his spiritual blindness. Furthermore, the verse employs **Foreshadowing**, as Saul's self-deception and the ensuing confrontation immediately signal the beginning of his downfall and rejection as king, setting the stage for the tragic trajectory of his reign. The immediate **Contrast** between Saul's pious words and his disobedient actions heightens the **Dramatic Tension** of the scene, preparing the reader for Samuel's inevitable and severe rebuke.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates the biblical principle that God demands wholehearted, absolute obedience, not partial compliance or self-justified modification of His commands. Saul's attempt to present his disobedience as obedience reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of God's character and the nature of true submission. It underscores that God values obedience over ritual or human-devised good intentions, emphasizing that genuine faith is demonstrated through faithful adherence to God's revealed will, not through external performance or self-serving rationalizations. This theological truth is a recurring motif throughout scripture, highlighting that God looks at the heart and demands integrity in our walk with Him.

* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience Better Than Sacrifice")
* [Psalm 51:6](/psalms/51-6 "Psalm 51:6 - Truth in the Inward Being")
* [John 14:15](/john/14-15 "John 14:15 - Love and Obedience")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Saul's tragic self-deception in 1 Samuel 15:13 serves as a timeless warning for all believers. It challenges us to honestly examine our own hearts and motives, recognizing how easily we can rationalize partial obedience or convince ourselves that our intentions justify our deviations from God's clear commands. In a world that often prioritizes personal autonomy and subjective truth, this passage calls us back to the unwavering authority of God's Word and the necessity of humble, complete submission. True spiritual maturity is not found in outward displays of piety or successful endeavors, but in the quiet, consistent faithfulness to obey God in every detail, even when it is costly or inconvenient. This verse compels us to ask if our "performance" of God's will is truly a reflection of His command, or merely a reflection of our own desires and justifications. It reminds us that God desires truth in the inward parts and a heart fully devoted to His will, not just outward conformity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be practicing partial obedience, similar to Saul, while convincing myself that I am fully compliant?**
* **How do I respond when confronted with my own disobedience, whether by God's Word, the Holy Spirit, or a trusted spiritual mentor? Do I justify or repent?**
* **What are the underlying motives behind my obedience or disobedience? Am I seeking God's glory, or my own comfort, reputation, or gain?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that desires complete and joyful obedience to God's commands, recognizing that His ways are always best?**

### FAQ
**Why was Saul's disobedience regarding the Amalekites considered so severe by God?**

Answer: Saul's disobedience was severe for several reasons. Firstly, it was a direct defiance of a clear and explicit divine command given through the prophet Samuel, which was to utterly destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions (the practice of *herem* warfare, or "devotion to destruction"). This command was not arbitrary but a judgment against a people who had historically attacked Israel unprovoked and shown persistent enmity towards God's chosen nation (see [Exodus 17:8-16](/exodus/17-8 "Exodus 17:8-16 - Amalek Attacks Israel") and [Deuteronomy 25:17-19](/deuteronomy/25-17 "Deuteronomy 25:17-19 - Remember Amalek")). Secondly, Saul's partial obedience revealed a heart that prioritized his own desires—sparing Agag and the best of the livestock for personal gain or popularity—over God's absolute will. This demonstrated a lack of true submission and trust in God's wisdom. Finally, as the first king of Israel, Saul was meant to model perfect obedience to God's law. His failure set a dangerous precedent, showing that he was not fit to lead God's people. Samuel's famous declaration in [1 Samuel 15:22-23](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22-23 - Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice") powerfully articulates the gravity: "to obey is better than sacrifice... For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry."

**Did Saul truly believe he had "performed the commandment of the LORD," or was he intentionally deceiving Samuel?**

Answer: The text suggests a complex mixture of self-deception and perhaps an an attempt to mislead. While it's difficult to definitively ascertain Saul's inner state, his immediate declaration in [1 Samuel 15:13](/1_samuel/15-13 "1 Samuel 15:13 - Saul's Claim of Obedience") followed by his justifications in subsequent verses (e.g., claiming the livestock was for sacrifice in [1 Samuel 15:21](/1_samuel/15-21 "1 Samuel 15:21 - Saul's Justification")) points to a profound self-deception. He may have convinced himself that his partial obedience, especially if framed as religiously motivated, was acceptable to God. This is a common human tendency to rationalize sin and minimize its severity. However, his fear of the people (mentioned in [1 Samuel 15:24](/1_samuel/15-24 "1 Samuel 15:24 - Saul's Confession and Fear")) also indicates an awareness that his actions were not fully aligned with God's command, suggesting an element of intentional cover-up. Ultimately, whether self-deceived or deliberately deceptive, Saul's words were a lie in the face of God's truth, revealing a heart that was not fully devoted to the Lord.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic narrative of Saul's partial obedience in 1 Samuel 15:13, culminating in his rejection as king, profoundly underscores humanity's inherent inability to perfectly fulfill God's commands and highlights the desperate need for a truly obedient King. Unlike Saul, who claimed to have "performed the commandment of the LORD" yet failed miserably, Jesus Christ stands as the perfectly obedient Son of God. From His submission to baptism (as seen in [Matthew 3:15](/matthew/3-15 "Matthew 3:15 - Jesus' Obedience in Baptism")) to His unwavering commitment to His Father's will, even unto death on the cross, Jesus perfectly fulfilled every aspect of the Law and the prophetic word (as seen in [Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). Where Saul's disobedience led to his downfall and the loss of his kingdom, Christ's perfect obedience secured eternal salvation and an everlasting kingdom for all who believe. His sacrifice on Calvary, the ultimate act of obedience (as detailed in [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience Unto Death")), atoned for the disobedience of humanity, including the very sin of rebellion and partial obedience exemplified by Saul. Thus, the failure of Saul in this verse points forward to the triumph of the true King, Jesus, whose righteousness is imputed to us, enabling us to live in new obedience, not by our own flawed efforts, but by the power of His Spirit (as promised in [Romans 5:19](/romans/5-19 "Romans 5:19 - Obedience of One, Righteousness for Many") and [Hebrews 5:8-9](/hebrews/5-8 "Hebrews 5:8-9 - Christ Learned Obedience")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ruth 3:10

And he said, Blessed [be] thou of the LORD, my daughter: [for] thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.

Judges 17:2

And he said unto his mother, The eleven hundred [shekels] of silver that were taken from thee, about which thou cursedst, and spakest of also in mine ears, behold, the silver [is] with me; I took it. And his mother said, Blessed [be thou] of the LORD, my son.

Genesis 14:19

And he blessed him, and said, Blessed [be] Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:

Genesis 3:12

And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest [to be] with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

Proverbs 30:13

[There is] a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.

Proverbs 28:13

¶ He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh [them] shall have mercy.

1 Samuel 15:9

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.