1 Samuel 15:14

KJV

And Samuel said, What [meaneth] then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?

KJV (with Strong's)

And Samuel {H8050} said {H559}, What meaneth then this bleating {H6963} of the sheep {H6629} in mine ears {H241}, and the lowing {H6963} of the oxen {H1241} which I hear {H8085}?

Complete Jewish Bible

But Sh'mu'el answered, "If so, why do I hear sheep bleating and cows mooing?"

Berean Standard Bible

But Samuel replied, “Then what is this bleating of sheep and lowing of cattle that I hear?”

American Standard Version

And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse captures the dramatic confrontation between the prophet Samuel and King Saul, where Samuel exposes Saul's partial obedience and deception regarding the divine command to utterly destroy the Amalekites. Samuel's pointed, rhetorical question, prompted by the undeniable, audible presence of spared livestock, serves as irrefutable evidence against Saul's false claim of complete adherence to God's instructions, powerfully highlighting divine omniscience that penetrates all human pretense and the severe consequences of disobedience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** [1 Samuel 15:14](/1_samuel/15-14 "1 Samuel 15:14 - Samuel Confronts Saul with Evidence") immediately follows King Saul's disingenuous declaration to Samuel, "I have performed the commandment of the LORD" [1 Samuel 15:13](/1_samuel/15-13 "1 Samuel 15:13 - Saul's False Claim of Obedience"). This verse is Samuel's divinely-inspired, rhetorical response, delivered after God had revealed Saul's disobedience and expressed His grief over making Saul king [1 Samuel 15:10-11](/1_samuel/15-10-11 "1 Samuel 15:10-11 - God's Grief Over Saul's Disobedience"). The preceding verses lay out God's explicit command to "utterly destroy" the Amalekites and all their possessions, including livestock, without sparing anything [1 Samuel 15:3](/1_samuel/15-3 "1 Samuel 15:3 - God's Command to Destroy Amalek"). Saul, however, spared King Agag and the "best of the sheep and of the oxen" [1 Samuel 15:9](/1_samuel/15-9 "1 Samuel 15:9 - Saul Spares Agag and Livestock"), ostensibly for sacrifice, a justification he offers later [1 Samuel 15:21](/1_samuel/15-21 "1 Samuel 15:21 - Saul's Justification for Sparing Livestock"). Verse 14 thus acts as the pivotal moment of exposure, setting the stage for Samuel's pronouncement of God's rejection of Saul as king for his profound disobedience [1 Samuel 15:23](/1_samuel/15-23 "1 Samuel 15:23 - Saul's Rejection as King").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The command to utterly destroy Amalek (*herem*, or "devotion to destruction") was a specific divine judgment rooted in Amalek's historical treachery against Israel during their exodus from Egypt [Exodus 17:8-16](/exodus/17-8-16 "Exodus 17:8-16 - Amalek Attacks Israel at Rephidim"). This was not merely a military conquest but an act of divine retribution, emphasizing God's sovereignty over nations and His unyielding justice against persistent evil. Kings in the ancient Near East often took spoils of war, including livestock and captured monarchs, as symbols of their victory, power, and wealth. Saul's actions, while perhaps culturally understandable from a human perspective (desire for spoils, desire to parade a captured king), were a direct violation of God's explicit, unconditional command. The sparing of livestock "for sacrifice" was a common religious practice, but in this context, it became a pious pretext for disobedience, revealing a heart that prioritized personal gain or reputation over divine instruction.

* **Key Themes:** This verse is central to the overarching theme of **obedience versus sacrifice** in 1 Samuel, famously articulated in [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better than Sacrifice"). It vividly illustrates the theme of **God's omniscience and unyielding justice**, demonstrating that divine knowledge penetrates all human attempts at deception and rationalization. The confrontation highlights the stark contrast between **integrity and hypocrisy**, as Saul's outward claim of obedience is shattered by the undeniable evidence of his actions. Furthermore, it underscores the severe **consequences of disobedience**, setting in motion the narrative of Saul's decline and ultimate rejection as king, a critical turning point in the [book of 1 Samuel](/1_samuel/1 "The Book of 1 Samuel") and the broader narrative of Israel's monarchy.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sound (Hebrew, _qôwl'_):** 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.
This word, translated as "bleating" and "lowing" in the KJV, refers to any audible sound or voice. Samuel's rhetorical question hinges on the undeniable presence of these sounds, directly contradicting Saul's claim of complete obedience. The repetition of these specific animal sounds emphasizes the palpable and inescapable evidence of the spared livestock, serving as a powerful, audible witness against Saul's deception. It is the very "voice" of Saul's disobedience.

* **Sheep (Hebrew, _tsôʼn'_):** or צאוֹן; (Psalm 144:13), from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men); (small) cattle, flock ([phrase] -s), lamb ([phrase] -s), sheep(-cote, -fold, -shearer, -herds).
This term collectively refers to a flock of sheep or goats. The presence of their characteristic "bleating" indicates that these animals, explicitly commanded by God to be utterly destroyed as part of the *herem* (devotion to destruction) against Amalek, were spared. Their survival is direct evidence of Saul's partial obedience and defiance of God's clear instruction, undermining his claim of full compliance.

* **Oxen (Hebrew, _bâqâr'_):** from בָּקַר; beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd; beeve, bull ([phrase] -ock), [phrase] calf, [phrase] cow, great (cattle), [phrase] heifer, herd, kine, ox.
This refers to beef cattle or animals of the ox family. Like the sheep, these animals were also designated for complete destruction, with no exceptions. The "lowing" of the oxen provides further, undeniable proof of Saul's failure to execute God's command fully. Their audible presence underscores the extent of Saul's disobedience and his attempt to rationalize or conceal it, making his lie transparent.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Samuel said,"**: This introduces the prophet's direct, divinely-inspired confrontation. Samuel acts as God's messenger and mouthpiece, bringing the divine judgment to bear upon Saul. His words are not merely personal observations but a divine indictment, carrying the weight of God's authority.
* **"What [meaneth] then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears,"**: This is the first part of Samuel's incisive rhetorical question. The phrase "in mine ears" emphasizes that the evidence is immediate, undeniable, and impossible to ignore. The sounds of the sheep, which should have been silenced by destruction, are a living, audible testament to Saul's failure to fully obey God's command regarding the Amalekites. This directly contradicts Saul's earlier claim of complete obedience.
* **"and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?"**: This second part reinforces the first, broadening the scope of the audible evidence. The presence of both sheep and oxen confirms the widespread nature of Saul's disobedience and his deliberate selection of the "best" animals to spare. The repetition of the sensory experience ("in mine ears," "I hear") underscores the palpable reality of the transgression, making Saul's earlier claim of obedience utterly hollow and transparently false.

#### Literary Devices
Samuel's utterance in [1 Samuel 15:14](/1_samuel/15-14 "1 Samuel 15:14 - Samuel Confronts Saul with Evidence") is rich with literary devices that amplify its dramatic and theological impact. The primary device is a **Rhetorical Question**, which Samuel poses not to elicit information but to expose Saul's lie and highlight the undeniable evidence of his disobedience. This question carries profound **Irony**, as Saul has just claimed complete obedience, yet the very sounds around them contradict his words, creating a stark contrast between his verbal assertion and the audible reality. The **Sensory Imagery** is powerfully auditory, focusing on the "bleating of the sheep" and "lowing of the oxen." These sounds are not abstract concepts but concrete, undeniable proof of the spared animals, making Saul's deception palpable and impossible to deny. This vivid use of sound creates a powerful **Juxtaposition** between Saul's verbal claim of obedience and the audible reality of his rebellion. The animals, though inanimate, become silent witnesses, their very presence and sounds serving as a divine indictment, underscoring God's omniscience and the futility of attempting to hide disobedience from Him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This pivotal verse profoundly underscores the biblical principle that God values complete and sincere obedience above all ritualistic performance or partial compliance. Saul's attempt to justify his disobedience by claiming the spared animals were for sacrifice reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of God's nature and priorities. God desires a heart fully submitted to His will, not merely outward religious acts that mask inner rebellion or self-serving motives. The sounds of the animals serve as a powerful reminder that God's truth cannot be suppressed by human pretense, and that our actions, even those we seek to hide or rationalize, have an undeniable resonance in His sight. This moment sets the stage for the tragic trajectory of Saul's reign, demonstrating that failure to obey God fully carries severe consequences, ultimately leading to divine rejection and the transfer of the kingdom.

* [1 Samuel 15:22-23](/1_samuel/15-22-23 "1 Samuel 15:22-23 - Obedience is Better than Sacrifice, and Rebellion is Like Witchcraft")
* [Psalm 51:16-17](/psalms/51-16-17 "Psalm 51:16-17 - God Desires a Broken Spirit, Not Sacrifice")
* [Matthew 7:21](/matthew/7-21 "Matthew 7:21 - Not Everyone Who Says 'Lord, Lord' Will Enter the Kingdom")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The stark confrontation in [1 Samuel 15:14](/1_samuel/15-14 "1 Samuel 15:14 - Samuel Confronts Saul with Evidence") offers timeless lessons for believers today. It challenges us to examine the depth of our own obedience to God's commands, moving beyond superficial compliance or convenient adherence. Are there areas in our lives where we, like Saul, offer partial obedience, rationalizing our choices with seemingly good intentions or religious pretexts? This verse reminds us that God sees beyond our words and outward appearances, discerning the true motives of our hearts. Our actions, even those we attempt to conceal or justify, often produce "bleating" or "lowing" sounds—tangible evidence of our true allegiance that cannot be hidden from God or, often, from ourselves and others. True faith is demonstrated not by what we say, but by our willingness to fully surrender our will to God's, trusting that His commands are always for our good and His glory. It calls us to a radical integrity, where our walk matches our talk, and our lives echo God's truth rather than our own desires, leading to genuine transformation and a deepening relationship with Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be practicing "partial obedience" while claiming full devotion to God?**
* **What "bleating" or "lowing" sounds in my life might be evidence of unaddressed disobedience or hypocrisy that I am trying to ignore or rationalize?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that prioritizes complete obedience to God's specific commands over my own rationalizations, perceived good intentions, or desire for personal gain?**
* **What are the potential consequences of rationalizing disobedience in my own spiritual walk, and how might this affect my relationship with God and others?**

### FAQ

**Why did God command the complete destruction of the Amalekites and their livestock?**

Answer: God's command for the complete destruction (*herem*) of the Amalekites and their possessions, including livestock, was an act of divine judgment and justice. The Amalekites had a long history of hostility towards Israel, attacking them from behind when they were weak and weary during the Exodus [Exodus 17:8-16](/exodus/17-8-16 "Exodus 17:8-16 - Amalek Attacks Israel at Rephidim") and showing no fear of God. This unprovoked attack against God's chosen people, combined with their persistent wickedness and idolatry, marked them for divine retribution. The *herem* command ensured that Israel would not be corrupted by their idolatrous practices or influenced by their cruelty, and it served as a powerful demonstration of God's sovereignty over nations and His intolerance for persistent evil. It was a unique, specific judgment for a uniquely wicked people, not a general command for all warfare.

**What does 1 Samuel 15:14 reveal about God's character?**

Answer: This verse powerfully reveals several aspects of God's character. First, it demonstrates His **omniscience**; He knows everything, even the hidden acts of disobedience and the true motives of the heart, as evidenced by Samuel's divinely-informed question that exposes Saul's lie. Second, it highlights His **justice** and **unwavering holiness**; God does not tolerate partial obedience or hypocrisy, especially from those He has chosen to lead His people. He holds His chosen leaders to a high standard of faithfulness and integrity. Third, it shows His **sovereignty**; He is the ultimate authority whose commands are not to be trifled with or rationalized away. The audible sounds of the animals serve as a tangible witness to God's truth, which cannot be silenced or deceived by human pretense.

**How does Saul's excuse for sparing the animals relate to the broader theme of obedience?**

Answer: Saul's excuse that he spared the best of the livestock "to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God" [1 Samuel 15:21](/1_samuel/15-21 "1 Samuel 15:21 - Saul's Justification for Sparing Livestock") is a classic example of attempting to use religious piety to cover up direct disobedience. This highlights the crucial biblical theme that **obedience is better than sacrifice** [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better than Sacrifice"). God desires a heart that is fully submitted to His will, not merely outward religious rituals performed on one's own terms or for one's own benefit. Saul's actions demonstrate a self-serving religiosity that prioritizes personal gain (spoils of war) and popularity (sparing Agag) over the explicit command of God, ultimately leading to his rejection as king and the tragic trajectory of his reign.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The exposure of Saul's partial obedience in [1 Samuel 15:14](/1_samuel/15-14 "1 Samuel 15:14 - Samuel Confronts Saul with Evidence") powerfully foreshadows the perfect obedience of Jesus Christ, the true King and ultimate sacrifice. Unlike Saul, who sought to justify his own will and prioritize his reputation and perceived religious acts, Jesus lived a life of absolute and unwavering submission to the Father's will, declaring, "I always do what pleases him" [John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Does What Pleases the Father"). Where Saul's actions produced the "bleating" and "lowing" sounds of disobedience, Christ's life emitted the sweet fragrance of perfect righteousness and complete devotion, culminating in His willing sacrifice. He did not offer partial sacrifice or animal offerings; He became the ultimate, spotless [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose sacrifice was not of animals but of Himself, perfectly fulfilling God's will and providing atonement for humanity's sin. Through His perfect obedience, even "unto death on a cross" [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience"), Jesus secured for us the righteousness that Saul lacked, inviting us into a new covenant where, by His Spirit, we too can walk in obedience, not by our own strength but by His enabling grace [Romans 8:3-4](/romans/8-3-4 "Romans 8:3-4 - The Law Fulfilled in Us by the Spirit"). He is the true shepherd whose voice is always obeyed, leading His sheep in paths of righteousness, unlike Saul, who strayed from the path God set before him.

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

1 Corinthians 4:5

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

Psalms 36:2

For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.

Luke 19:22

And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, [thou] wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:

Malachi 3:13

¶ Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken [so much] against thee?

Malachi 3:15

And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, [they that] tempt God are even delivered.

Jeremiah 2:18

And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river?

Jeremiah 2:19

Thine own wickedness shall correct thee, and thy backslidings shall reprove thee: know therefore and see that [it is] an evil [thing] and bitter, that thou hast forsaken the LORD thy God, and that my fear [is] not in thee, saith the Lord GOD of hosts.