1 Samuel 15:32

¶ Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.

Then said {H559} Samuel {H8050}, Bring ye hither {H5066} to me Agag {H90} the king {H4428} of the Amalekites {H6002}. And Agag {H90} came {H3212} unto him delicately {H4574}. And Agag {H90} said {H559}, Surely {H403} the bitterness {H4751} of death {H4194} is past {H5493}.

Then Sh'mu'el said, "Bring Agag the king of 'Amalek here to me. Agag came to him in chains and said, "Without doubt, mine will be a bitter death."

Then Samuel said, “Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites.” Agag came to him cheerfully, for he thought, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.”

Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him cheerfully. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.

Commentary

1 Samuel 15:32 narrates a pivotal moment in the history of Israel, showcasing the uncompromising nature of divine judgment and the prophet Samuel's unwavering commitment to God's commands. This verse follows King Saul's tragic disobedience and sets the stage for the complete execution of God's will against the Amalekites.

Context

To fully grasp the weight of this verse, it’s essential to understand the preceding events. God had commanded King Saul, through the prophet Samuel, to utterly destroy the Amalekites—men, women, children, and livestock—as a retribution for their historical hostility towards Israel during the Exodus (Exodus 17:16, Deuteronomy 25:19). However, Saul, driven by a desire for popular acclaim and a misguided sense of piety, partially obeyed. He spared Agag, the king of the Amalekites, and the best of the sheep and oxen, claiming they were for sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:9). This act of selective obedience was deemed a severe rebellion by God, leading to Saul's rejection as king (1 Samuel 15:23). With Saul having failed to complete the divine mandate, Samuel steps in to personally fulfill the Lord's judgment.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Judgment: This verse underscores God's absolute commitment to His word and His righteous judgment against persistent evil. The complete destruction of the Amalekites was a long-decreed sentence, and God ensured its fulfillment despite human failure.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: Agag's fate serves as a grim reminder of the severe consequences of defying God's explicit commands, a lesson King Saul learned tragically.
  • False Security: Agag's statement, "Surely the bitterness of death is past," reveals a profound miscalculation. He believed he had escaped his doom, highlighting the danger of presumption and self-deception in the face of divine reckoning.
  • Prophetic Authority: Samuel, as God's prophet, acts with unflinching authority to execute God's will, demonstrating that true obedience prioritizes divine commands above all else.

Linguistic Insight

The KJV renders Agag's approach as "delicately." The Hebrew word here is ma'adannoth (מעדנות), which can imply "luxuries," "pleasures," or describe a stately, easy, or even trembling gait depending on context and interpretation. In this instance, "delicately" suggests Agag came with a false sense of composure, perhaps attempting to appear dignified or believing that the danger had passed and he would be spared. His subsequent declaration, "Surely the bitterness of death is past," reinforces this tragic misjudgment, indicating a mistaken belief that the worst was over and he was out of harm's way.

Practical Application

The narrative of 1 Samuel 15:32 offers several enduring lessons for believers today:

  • The Seriousness of Obedience: God's commands are not suggestions to be partially fulfilled or adapted to our convenience. True faith is demonstrated through complete and willing obedience, as highlighted by Samuel's famous words to Saul: "To obey is better than sacrifice" (1 Samuel 15:22).
  • Beware of False Hope: Like Agag, we can sometimes deceive ourselves into believing that consequences for our actions or sins have passed. This verse serves as a caution against presumption and encourages a sober assessment of our standing before God.
  • God's Justice Prevails: While God is abundant in mercy, He is also righteous in judgment. This passage reminds us that divine justice, though sometimes delayed, is ultimately certain and will be carried out.
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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

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:3

    For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

  • Jeremiah 48:44

    He that fleeth from the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that getteth up out of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for I will bring upon it, [even] upon Moab, the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.

  • Revelation 18:7

    How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.