1 Samuel 15:19

KJV

Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore then didst thou not obey {H8085} the voice {H6963} of the LORD {H3068}, but didst fly {H5860} upon the spoil {H7998}, and didst {H6213} evil {H7451} in the sight {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Why did you seize the spoil instead of paying attention to what ADONAI said? From ADONAI's viewpoint, you have done an evil thing."

Berean Standard Bible

So why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you rush upon the plunder and do evil in the sight of the LORD?”

American Standard Version

Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of Jehovah, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Samuel's piercing question directly confronts King Saul's profound and willful disobedience to the LORD's explicit command regarding the Amalekites. It exposes Saul's failure to execute the divine judgment of _herem_ (utter destruction) on the enemy and their possessions, revealing instead his covetous decision to seize valuable plunder. This verse encapsulates the prophet's indictment, highlighting Saul's self-serving actions as a direct affront to God's authority and a grave act of evil in the divine sight, marking a critical turning point in his reign.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment in the tragic narrative of King Saul's reign, marking a significant step in his rejection by God. Immediately preceding this, God had, through Samuel, commanded Saul to execute a complete and utter destruction (_herem_) of the Amalekites, including all their livestock, as divine judgment for their historical enmity against Israel, as detailed in [1 Samuel 15:3](/1-samuel/15-3 "1 Samuel 15:3 - God's Command to Saul Regarding Amalek"). Despite achieving military victory, Saul, influenced by his army, spared King Agag and the best of the sheep and oxen, rationalizing his actions as a desire to offer sacrifices to the LORD, as recorded in [1 Samuel 15:9](/1-samuel/15-9 "1 Samuel 15:9 - Saul's Partial Obedience"). Samuel's arrival and the subsequent confrontation (1 Samuel 15:10-23) expose Saul's pretense and reveal the true nature of his partial obedience as outright rebellion. Verse 19 is Samuel's direct, rhetorical question, cutting through Saul's excuses and laying bare his true motives for seizing the spoil, setting the stage for Samuel's famous declaration that "to obey is better than sacrifice" in [1 Samuel 15:22](/1-samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience Over Sacrifice").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Amalekites were a nomadic people, perennial adversaries of Israel, first attacking them from behind during the Exodus journey, as described in [Exodus 17:8-16](/exodus/17-8 "Exodus 17:8-16 - Amalek Attacks Israel"). God had sworn to blot out their memory, a command reiterated in [Deuteronomy 25:17-19](/deuteronomy/25-17 "Deuteronomy 25:17-19 - Remember Amalek"). The command to utterly destroy (Hebrew: _herem_) was a specific aspect of Israelite holy war, signifying that certain enemies or their possessions were "devoted" to God for destruction, often as an act of divine judgment or to prevent spiritual contamination. It was not an act of human cruelty but a theological purging. For Saul, Israel's first king, this was a test of his absolute submission to God's authority as the true King of Israel. In ancient Near Eastern warfare, taking spoil was a common practice and a sign of victory, making God's command to destroy *all* spoil a counter-cultural and profound test of faith and obedience. Saul's failure demonstrated a prioritization of personal gain and popular approval over divine mandate.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in 1 Samuel and the broader Old Testament. Foremost is the **Primacy of Obedience**, emphasizing that God values complete and immediate submission to His commands above all else, including religious rituals or sacrifices. Saul's partial obedience is revealed as complete disobedience, a principle famously articulated by Samuel in [1 Samuel 15:22](/1-samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice"). This leads directly to the theme of the **Consequences of Disobedience**, as Saul's failure results in God's rejection of him as king, as seen in [1 Samuel 15:23](/1-samuel/15-23 "1 Samuel 15:23 - Consequences of Rebellion"). The accusation "didst fly upon the spoil" highlights the theme of **Greed and Self-Interest** overriding divine command, revealing Saul's underlying motives were not pure devotion but personal gain. Finally, the verse underscores **God's Unwavering Standard and Sovereignty**, demonstrating that God sees beyond human rationalizations and judges actions based on the heart's adherence to His specific will, not human expediency.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Obey (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ_):** This verb (H8085) means "to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)." In the context of divine commands, _shâmaʻ_ implies not merely passive hearing but an active, attentive listening that leads to compliance. Samuel's question highlights that Saul clearly heard the command but willfully chose not to act upon it fully, indicating a failure of the will rather than a lack of understanding. The essence is a hearing that leads to doing.
* **Fly upon (Hebrew, _ʻîyṭ_):** This primitive root (H5860) means "to swoop down upon (literally or figuratively)." This vivid verb paints a picture of a bird of prey or a predator eagerly descending upon its victim. It powerfully conveys the unholy haste, eagerness, and covetousness with which Saul and his men seized the forbidden plunder. It suggests an uncontrolled, ravenous desire for gain, directly contrasting with the disciplined obedience God required.
* **Spoil (Hebrew, _shâlâl_):** This noun (H7998) refers to "booty; prey, spoil." In this specific context, the spoil was part of the _herem_ (devoted things) and was explicitly forbidden from being taken. By "flying upon the spoil," Saul and his men appropriated what was designated for utter destruction, thereby defiling themselves and violating God's holy war directives. This act was not merely taking loot but seizing what was divinely consecrated for destruction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD":** This rhetorical question from Samuel is a direct, piercing indictment of Saul's willful disobedience. It implies that Saul had no legitimate reason for his actions, as God's command was clear and explicit. The "voice of the LORD" signifies divine authority and the absolute nature of the command, making Saul's failure a direct affront to God Himself, a rejection of His sovereign word.
* **"but didst fly upon the spoil":** This clause reveals the specific nature of Saul's transgression and his underlying motive. Instead of executing God's judgment fully by destroying all the Amalekite possessions, Saul and his men eagerly and greedily seized the valuable livestock and goods. This act of "flying upon the spoil" demonstrates a covetous heart that prioritized personal gain and perceived benefit over the clear, non-negotiable divine instruction. It highlights a predatory inclination rather than a submissive spirit.
* **"and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?":** This concluding phrase pronounces the ultimate judgment on Saul's actions. What Saul might have rationalized as a practical decision or even a religious act (saving animals for sacrifice) was, in God's perfect sight (Hebrew: `ʻayin`, H5869, meaning 'eye' or 'presence'), an act of "evil" (Hebrew: `raʻ`, H7451, meaning 'bad' or 'moral evil'). This emphasizes that God's judgment is based on adherence to His revealed will and the purity of heart, not on human justifications or perceived good intentions.

#### Literary Devices
Samuel's rebuke in 1 Samuel 15:19 masterfully employs several literary devices to underscore Saul's profound failure. The verse opens with a **Rhetorical Question** ("Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD?"), which is not seeking information but rather emphasizing the self-evident nature of Saul's transgression and the lack of any justifiable excuse. This question immediately places Saul on the defensive and highlights his clear culpability. Furthermore, the phrase "didst fly upon the spoil" utilizes striking **Imagery** and **Metaphor**. The verb "fly upon" (Hebrew _ʻîyṭ_) evokes the predatory swoop of a bird of prey, vividly portraying the eager, unrestrained, and covetous manner in which Saul and his men seized the forbidden plunder. This imagery contrasts sharply with the expected disciplined obedience of God's chosen king. Finally, the verse employs **Juxtaposition** by placing Saul's failure to "obey the voice of the LORD" directly against his eagerness to "fly upon the spoil," highlighting the stark choice he made between divine command and personal gain. The repeated "didst" also adds a subtle **Emphasis**, underscoring Saul's active and deliberate role in his disobedience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 15:19 stands as a stark reminder that God demands complete and unreserved obedience, valuing the integrity of the heart over outward religious performance or human rationalizations. Saul's failure to obey the LORD's clear command, coupled with his eager seizure of forbidden spoil, reveals a foundational flaw in his kingship: a self-serving spirit that prioritized personal gain and popular approval over divine will. This incident underscores the biblical principle that partial obedience is, in God's eyes, complete disobedience, and that motives matter profoundly to God. It highlights the danger of covetousness and the deceptive nature of self-justification when confronted with divine truth. This narrative serves as a timeless warning against the spiritual consequences of compromising God's word for perceived benefits or convenience, emphasizing that true devotion is demonstrated through humble submission to every aspect of His revealed will.

* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1-samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice")
* [Deuteronomy 13:17](/deuteronomy/13-17 "Deuteronomy 13:17 - The Law of Devoted Things and Utter Destruction")
* [Proverbs 21:3](/proverbs/21-3 "Proverbs 21:3 - Righteousness and Justice Preferred to Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound lesson of 1 Samuel 15:19 resonates deeply in the life of every believer, challenging us to examine the sincerity and completeness of our obedience to God. Like Saul, we often face situations where God's commands seem inconvenient, costly, or contrary to our immediate desires or perceived benefits. This verse calls us to confront the temptation to engage in "partial obedience"—doing what is easy or beneficial while neglecting what is difficult or sacrificial. It exposes the insidious nature of rationalization, where we attempt to justify our disobedience with seemingly good intentions, much like Saul claimed to spare the livestock for sacrifices. The phrase "didst fly upon the spoil" serves as a powerful metaphor for our own tendencies to eagerly seize what God has forbidden, whether it be material possessions, illicit desires, or even our own perceived wisdom over His divine instruction. This passage compels us to ask: Are we truly submitting our entire lives to the "voice of the LORD," or are there areas where we are "flying upon the spoil," prioritizing our own will and gain over His clear commands? True spiritual growth and favor come from wholehearted, joyful, and immediate obedience, recognizing that God sees not only our actions but also the deepest motives of our hearts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be practicing "partial obedience" rather than complete submission to God's commands?**
* **How do I tend to rationalize my disobedience, and what are the underlying motives behind those justifications?**
* **What does "flying upon the spoil" look like in my contemporary context, and how can I guard against this temptation?**

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

Answer: The command for utter destruction (Hebrew: _herem_) was a unique divine judgment against the Amalekites, not a general rule for warfare. The Amalekites were a persistently hostile people who had attacked Israel without provocation shortly after the Exodus, as detailed in [Exodus 17:8-16](/exodus/17-8 "Exodus 17:8-16 - Amalek's Attack on Israel"), demonstrating a deep-seated animosity towards God's chosen people. God had sworn to blot out their memory, a command found in [Deuteronomy 25:17-19](/deuteronomy/25-17 "Deuteronomy 25:17-19 - Remember Amalek"). The severity of the command reflected God's holy justice against a people whose wickedness was complete and whose existence posed a continuous spiritual and physical threat to Israel. It was a specific act of divine retribution, intended to purify the land and demonstrate God's absolute sovereignty and judgment over evil, rather than a precedent for human cruelty.

**What does "fly upon the spoil" mean in a modern context?**

Answer: In a modern context, "to fly upon the spoil" signifies eagerly and greedily seizing something that is forbidden, ill-gotten, or that distracts from a clear divine command. It represents prioritizing personal gain, comfort, or desire over God's explicit will. This could manifest as cutting corners ethically in business for profit, indulging in sinful pleasures, clinging to material possessions when God calls for generosity, or pursuing personal ambition at the expense of spiritual integrity. It highlights a covetous spirit that, like Saul's, values what it can acquire for itself more than it values complete obedience to the LORD. It's about a lack of self-control and a readiness to compromise one's faith for immediate gratification or perceived advantage.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Samuel 15:19, with its sharp indictment of Saul's disobedience and covetousness, powerfully foreshadows the perfect obedience of Jesus Christ. Where Saul "didst not obey the voice of the LORD" and "didst fly upon the spoil," Christ perfectly fulfilled the Father's will, demonstrating complete and unwavering submission. Jesus did not seek His own gain or "fly upon the spoil" of worldly power or material wealth; instead, He emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant and humbling Himself even to death on a cross, as described in [Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6 "Philippians 2:6-8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience"). His life was marked by absolute obedience, declaring, "I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but to do the will of him who sent me," as recorded in [John 6:38](/john/6-38 "John 6:38 - Jesus Does the Father's Will"). The ultimate sacrifice of Christ on the cross was the supreme act of obedience, better than any animal sacrifice, perfectly atoning for humanity's disobedience, including the kind of rebellion exemplified by Saul, as explained in [Hebrews 10:5-10](/hebrews/10-5 "Hebrews 10:5-10 - Christ's Sacrifice Fulfills God's Will"). Through His perfect obedience, Christ became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him, a truth proclaimed in [Hebrews 5:8-9](/hebrews/5-8 "Christ Learned Obedience"). Believers are now called to follow Christ's example, empowered by His Spirit to live lives of humble, wholehearted obedience, not out of fear of rejection, but out of love and gratitude for the One who perfectly obeyed on our behalf, as affirmed in [Romans 5:19](/romans/5-19 "Romans 5:19 - Obedience of Christ").

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 Samuel 14:32

And the people flew upon the spoil, and took sheep, and oxen, and calves, and slew [them] on the ground: and the people did eat [them] with the blood.

2 Chronicles 33:2

But did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out before the children of Israel.

2 Chronicles 33:6

And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.

Jeremiah 7:11

Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen [it], saith the LORD.

Habakkuk 2:9

Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!

Habakkuk 2:12

Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity!

2 Chronicles 36:12

And he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD his God, [and] humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet [speaking] from the mouth of the LORD.