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1 Samuel 15:22

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And Samuel said, Hath the LORD [as great] delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey [is] better than sacrifice, [and] to hearken than the fat of rams.

And Samuel {H8050} said {H559}, Hath the LORD {H3068} as great delight {H2656} in burnt offerings {H5930} and sacrifices {H2077}, as in obeying {H8085} the voice {H6963} of the LORD {H3068}? Behold, to obey {H8085} is better {H2896} than sacrifice {H2077}, and to hearken {H7181} than the fat {H2459} of rams {H352}.

Sh'mu'el said, "Does ADONAI take as much pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying what ADONAI says? Surely obeying is better than sacrifice, and heeding orders than the fat of rams.

But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.

And Samuel said, Hath Jehovah as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of Jehovah? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

Commentary

Context

This powerful declaration from the prophet Samuel comes at a critical juncture in the reign of King Saul. God had commanded Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites, a nation with a history of hostility against Israel (Exodus 17:14; Deuteronomy 25:17). However, Saul disobeyed, sparing King Agag and the best of the sheep and oxen, claiming he intended to sacrifice them to the LORD (1 Samuel 15:9, 1 Samuel 15:21). Samuel's words here are a direct rebuke to Saul's attempt to justify his partial obedience with religious ritual, highlighting God's true priority.

Key Themes

  • Obedience over Ritual: The central message is that God values genuine obedience to His commands far more than religious ceremonies or sacrifices performed without a submitted heart. Saul thought he could compensate for disobedience with intensified worship, but God rejects this notion.
  • The Nature of True Worship: True worship is not merely external acts but an internal disposition of submission to God's will. It's about aligning one's life with God's desires.
  • God's Character: This verse reveals God as One who desires a relationship built on trust and submission, not just adherence to a set of rules or offerings. He seeks heartfelt devotion, not mere performance.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: Samuel's words underscore the gravity of disobedience, which ultimately led to Saul's rejection as king (1 Samuel 15:23).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "obey" is shama (שָׁמַע), which carries the meaning of not just hearing, but also listening attentively and acting upon what is heard. It implies a deep, responsive listening. The phrase "fat of rams" refers to the choicest parts of the sacrificial animal, considered the most valuable offering. By contrasting "obeying the voice of the LORD" with "burnt offerings and sacrifices" and "the fat of rams," Samuel emphasizes that even the best and most costly religious acts are inferior to a simple, sincere act of obedience to God's specific command.

Significance and Application

1 Samuel 15:22 remains a timeless principle for believers today. It challenges us to examine our priorities and ensure that our religious practices do not become a substitute for genuine submission to God's will. Many passages throughout Scripture echo this sentiment, emphasizing that God desires mercy and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings (Hosea 6:6), and that what the Lord requires is to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him (Micah 6:8). Jesus Himself affirmed this principle when quoting Hosea (Matthew 9:13). For us, this means:

  • Prioritizing God's specific instructions in our lives over mere religious traditions or outward displays.
  • Understanding that true worship is expressed through a life of faithful obedience, not just attendance at services or giving offerings.
  • Recognizing that partial obedience is still disobedience in God's eyes.
  • Cultivating a heart that genuinely desires to hear and respond to God's voice in all areas of life, understanding that this pleases Him more than any sacrifice we could offer.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Hosea 6:6 (408 votes)

    For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

  • Psalms 51:16 (364 votes)

    For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give [it]: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

  • Psalms 51:17 (364 votes)

    The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

  • Proverbs 21:3 (339 votes)

    ¶ To do justice and judgment [is] more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.

  • Amos 5:21 (294 votes)

    ¶ I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.

  • Amos 5:24 (294 votes)

    But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.

  • Mark 12:33 (283 votes)

    And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love [his] neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.