1 Samuel 15:18

KJV

And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} sent {H7971} thee on a journey {H1870}, and said {H559}, Go {H3212} and utterly destroy {H2763} the sinners {H2400} the Amalekites {H6002}, and fight {H3898} against them until they be consumed {H3615}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Now ADONAI sent you on a mission and told you, 'Go and completely destroy 'Amalek, those sinners; keep making war on them until they have been exterminated.

Berean Standard Bible

and sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and devote to destruction the sinful Amalekites. Fight against them until you have wiped them out.’

American Standard Version

and Jehovah sent thee on a journey, and said, Go, and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Samuel 15:18 records the prophet Samuel's direct and scathing rebuke to King Saul, reiterating God's explicit and unambiguous command concerning the complete destruction of the Amalekites. This verse stands as a stark reminder of the divine mandate Saul was given and his subsequent failure to fully obey, setting the stage for his ultimate rejection as king and underscoring the critical importance of uncompromising obedience to God's revealed will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within the dramatic confrontation between Samuel and Saul following Saul's campaign against the Amalekites in 1 Samuel 15. The preceding verses detail God's initial command to Saul, delivered through Samuel, to "go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have; do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey" ([1 Samuel 15:3](/1_samuel/15-3 "1 Samuel 15:3 - God's Command to Destroy Amalek")). Saul, however, partially obeyed, sparing King Agag and the best of the livestock, ostensibly for sacrifice ([1 Samuel 15:9](/1_samuel/15-9 "1 Samuel 15:9 - Saul's Partial Obedience")). Samuel's words in verse 18 are a direct counter-argument to Saul's excuses, emphasizing the clarity and totality of the original divine instruction and highlighting Saul's deviation from it. The immediate literary context is one of divine disappointment and human rationalization, leading to a pivotal moment in Israel's monarchy.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Amalekites were a nomadic, warlike people, descendants of Esau ([Genesis 36:12](/genesis/36-12 "Genesis 36:12 - Amalek's Genealogy")). Their historical animosity towards Israel began shortly after the Exodus, when they attacked the Israelites at Rephidim, preying on the weak and stragglers ([Exodus 17:8-16](/exodus/17-8 "Exodus 17:8 - Amalek Attacks Israel")). This unprovoked and cruel attack led to a divine decree that God would "utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven" ([Exodus 17:14](/exodus/17-14 "Exodus 17:14 - God's Oath Against Amalek")). Deuteronomy 25:17-19 reiterates this command, instructing Israel to remember what Amalek did and to "blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; you must not forget." Thus, Saul's campaign was not merely a territorial war but an execution of long-standing divine judgment against a people characterized by persistent wickedness and opposition to God's covenant people. The concept of "utterly destroying" (Hebrew: *herem*) was a practice in ancient Near Eastern warfare, often associated with holy war, where spoils were consecrated to a deity, sometimes through complete annihilation.

* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within 1 Samuel and the broader Old Testament narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, as God exercises His absolute authority to command and to execute justice upon nations, especially those who have consistently opposed His purposes and people. The Amalekites are explicitly labeled "sinners," reflecting their cumulative wickedness. Another critical theme is **Obedience vs. Disobedience**, particularly the distinction between partial and complete obedience. Saul's actions demonstrate that partial obedience is, in God's eyes, outright disobedience, leading to severe consequences. This highlights the importance of **Trusting God's Word and Authority** over human reasoning or perceived practical advantages. Finally, the verse foreshadows the **Consequences of Defying God's Will**, as Saul's failure in this instance becomes a primary catalyst for his rejection as king, emphasizing that divine favor is contingent upon faithful adherence to God's commands. This narrative serves as a profound theological lesson on the nature of true submission to the Lord, a theme echoed throughout the [historical books](/judges/1 "The Book of Judges") of the Old Testament.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sinners (Hebrew, _chaṭṭāʾ'_):** This word, derived from the root *ḥāṭāʾ* meaning "to miss the mark," "to err," or "to sin," is used here as a substantive to describe the Amalekites. It's not merely a general term for wrongdoers but carries the weight of their specific, cumulative offenses against God and His people, particularly their unprovoked attack on Israel in the wilderness and their continued hostility. Their designation as "sinners" justifies the severe divine judgment against them, framing the command as an act of holy justice rather than arbitrary cruelty.
* **Utterly destroy (Hebrew, _ḥāram'_):** This is a crucial term, often translated as "devote to destruction," "put under the ban," or "consecrate to destruction." It signifies a total, uncompromising annihilation, where everything—people, animals, and possessions—is to be set apart for God by being completely destroyed, leaving no spoils for human gain. This concept is central to the idea of *herem* warfare, indicating that the enemy was deemed irredeemable and their existence a threat to the holiness and purity of God's covenant people. Saul's failure to *ḥāram* completely was a direct violation of a sacred command.
* **Consumed (Hebrew, _kālâ'_):** Meaning "to be finished," "to be completed," "to be brought to an end," or "to be utterly destroyed." This word reinforces the totality and finality of the command given to Saul. It emphasizes that the fighting was not to cease until the Amalekites were completely eradicated, leaving no remnant. This echoes the *ḥāram* command, highlighting the divine intention for absolute cessation of the Amalekite threat.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD sent thee on a journey,"**: This opening clause serves as a direct reminder to Saul of his divine commission. It emphasizes that his military campaign against the Amalekites was not a self-initiated endeavor or a strategic decision of his own, but a specific, mandated mission from God. The phrase "on a journey" underscores the purposefulness and directed nature of the divine command, implying that Saul was an agent of God's will.
* **"and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites,"**: This is the core of the divine instruction, reiterating the precise nature of the command. The inclusion of "the sinners the Amalekites" highlights the theological justification for the judgment—their wickedness. The imperative "Go" signifies immediate and decisive action, while "utterly destroy" (Hebrew *ḥāram*) conveys the absolute, uncompromising nature of the required annihilation, leaving no room for human discretion or partiality.
* **"and fight against them until they be consumed."**: This final clause reinforces the totality and persistence required in executing the command. It specifies the duration and extent of the mission: the fighting was to continue without cessation until the Amalekites were completely "consumed" or brought to an end. This leaves no ambiguity regarding the expected outcome and directly contrasts with Saul's decision to spare Agag and the best of the livestock, revealing his clear deviation from the divine mandate.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Direct Address** is prominent, as Samuel directly confronts Saul, making the rebuke personal and inescapable. The use of **Repetition** is evident in the re-statement of the divine command to "utterly destroy" and "fight against them until they be consumed," emphasizing the clarity and non-negotiable nature of God's original instruction, which Saul clearly violated. The explicit labeling of the Amalekites as "sinners" functions as a form of **Characterization**, justifying the severity of the divine judgment and framing the conflict in moral and theological terms. Furthermore, the entire confrontation, encapsulated by this verse, serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, signaling Saul's deteriorating relationship with God and his eventual rejection as king due to his persistent disobedience, thus setting the stage for the rise of David.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
First Samuel 15:18 profoundly illustrates the absolute necessity of complete obedience to God's commands, distinguishing it sharply from partial compliance or human rationalization. God's holiness and justice demand a full response to His revealed will, particularly when executing divine judgment. The Amalekites, as persistent enemies of God's people and characterized as "sinners," represented a spiritual and physical threat that God deemed necessary to eradicate. Saul's failure to fully carry out this *herem* command was not a minor oversight but a fundamental rejection of God's authority and wisdom, demonstrating a self-will that placed his own judgment above the divine. This narrative underscores that God values obedience more than sacrifice or human-devised alternatives, a truth that echoes throughout Scripture.

* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience Better Than Sacrifice")
* [Deuteronomy 13:17](/deuteronomy/13-17 "Deuteronomy 13:17 - The Herem Command for Idolatrous Cities")
* [Psalm 119:4](/psalm/119-4 "Psalm 119:4 - God's Precepts to Be Kept Diligently")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of Saul's disobedience in 1 Samuel 15:18 offers a timeless and sobering lesson for believers today. While we are not called to engage in physical *herem* warfare against nations, the spiritual principles remain profoundly relevant. This verse challenges us to examine the areas of our lives where God has given clear commands, whether through His Word or the prompting of His Spirit, and to honestly assess the completeness of our obedience. Do we truly "utterly destroy" the "Amalekites" of sin, pride, self-will, or compromise in our hearts, or do we, like Saul, spare "the best" of our old nature, offering rationalizations or partial compliance? True faith is demonstrated not merely by outward religious acts, but by an internal posture of humble submission to God's perfect will, trusting His wisdom even when His commands seem counter-intuitive or costly. Our spiritual journey demands a ruthless commitment to eradicating anything that opposes God's holiness within us, fighting against sin until it is "consumed" from our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be practicing partial obedience rather than complete submission to God's commands?**
* **What "Amalekites"—sinful habits, attitudes, or worldly compromises—is God calling me to "utterly destroy" in my life, and what excuses am I making to spare them?**
* **How does my trust in God's wisdom and authority influence my willingness to obey Him fully, even when His commands are difficult?**
* **What is the practical difference between obedience that stems from duty and obedience that flows from a heart of love and devotion to God?**

### FAQ

**Why was God's command to utterly destroy the Amalekites so severe?**

Answer: God's command for the *herem* (utter destruction) of the Amalekites was not arbitrary but a specific act of divine judgment rooted in their persistent and egregious wickedness. The Amalekites had a long history of unprovoked hostility against Israel, beginning with their cowardly attack on the weak and vulnerable at the rear of the Israelite camp shortly after the Exodus ([Exodus 17:8-16](/exodus/17-8 "Exodus 17:8 - Amalek's Attack at Rephidim")). This act demonstrated a profound lack of fear of God and a cruel disregard for human life. Furthermore, they represented a consistent spiritual and physical threat to God's covenant people, embodying a spirit of opposition to divine purposes. God had sworn to "blot out the remembrance of Amalek" ([Exodus 17:14](/exodus/17-14 "Exodus 17:14 - God's Oath Against Amalek")), and the command to Saul was the culmination of this long-standing divine decree, intended to remove a corrupting influence and execute justice. It underscored God's holiness and His intolerance for unrepentant evil that actively sought to undermine His people and plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Samuel 15:18 recounts a specific historical command given to Saul, its profound lessons on obedience, divine judgment, and the eradication of evil find their ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Christ. Jesus Christ is the perfectly obedient Son, who did not partially obey but fully submitted to the Father's will, even to the point of death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Unlike Saul, who spared Agag, Christ utterly "destroyed" the spiritual enemies that held humanity captive: sin, death, and the devil ([Hebrews 2:14](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14 - Christ Destroys the Power of Death"); [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, He executed the ultimate divine judgment on sin, offering a complete victory that no human king could achieve. For believers, this passage calls us to a spiritual *herem*: to "put to death" or "destroy" the deeds of the flesh and the "old man" within us, crucifying our sinful desires and living in radical obedience to Christ ([Romans 8:13](/romans/8-13 "Romans 8:13 - Putting to Death the Deeds of the Body"); [Colossians 3:5](/colossians/3-5 "Colossians 3:5 - Put to Death Earthly Members")). Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil, and our victory is found in Christ, who has already consumed the power of our ultimate enemies ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Our Struggle Against Spiritual Forces")).

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

Job 31:3

[Is] not destruction to the wicked? and a strange [punishment] to the workers of iniquity?

Genesis 15:16

But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites [is] not yet full.

Proverbs 10:29

¶ The way of the LORD [is] strength to the upright: but destruction [shall be] to the workers of iniquity.

Numbers 16:38

The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates [for] a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.

Genesis 13:13

But the men of Sodom [were] wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.

Proverbs 13:21

¶ Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.