1 Samuel 15:32

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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."

Berean Standard Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 15:32 captures the dramatic culmination of God's judgment against the Amalekites, a task King Saul had failed to complete. It depicts the prophet Samuel, acting with divine authority, summoning Agag, the Amalekite king, who approaches with a deluded sense of security, believing the danger of death has passed. This pivotal moment underscores the unwavering nature of God's justice and the severe consequences of human disobedience, setting the stage for the definitive execution of God's decree.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climactic moment following King Saul's catastrophic failure to fully obey God's command regarding the Amalekites. Earlier in the chapter, Samuel had delivered God's explicit instruction to "utterly destroy" them, sparing nothing (1 Samuel 15:1-3). However, Saul, swayed by the people and a desire for personal gain or misguided piety, spared Agag and the best of the livestock (1 Samuel 15:7-9). This act of partial obedience led to God's rejection of Saul as king, a pronouncement delivered powerfully by Samuel in 1 Samuel 15:10-23. Despite Saul's belated confession (1 Samuel 15:24-31), the divine decree against Amalek remained unfulfilled. Therefore, Samuel, as God's faithful prophet, steps in to personally execute the judgment, demonstrating that God's word will ultimately be accomplished, even when human agents fail. The immediate verses after 1 Samuel 15:32 describe Samuel's brutal execution of Agag, fulfilling the *herem* command.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Amalekites were a nomadic people, descendants of Esau (Genesis 36:12), who had a long-standing history of antagonism towards Israel. Their most notable act of treachery was their unprovoked attack on the vulnerable, straggling Israelites during the Exodus journey, targeting the weak and weary (Deuteronomy 25:17-18). This act provoked a divine decree of perpetual war against them, with God vowing to "blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven" (Exodus 17:14-16). The command to King Saul to utterly destroy them (known as *herem* or "devotion to destruction") was not an act of arbitrary cruelty but a divinely ordained judicial execution against a people whose wickedness and persistent opposition to God's purposes had reached a full measure. In the ancient Near East, *herem* was a practice where conquered enemies and their possessions were dedicated to a deity, often through destruction, signifying a complete victory and the removal of a corrupting influence. For Israel, it was a theological act, emphasizing God's holiness and His righteous judgment against evil.

* **Key Themes:** The narrative surrounding 1 Samuel 15:32 is rich with profound theological themes. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**, showcasing God's unwavering commitment to His word and His righteous judgment against persistent evil, even when human agents falter. The complete destruction of the Amalekites, long decreed, is ensured despite Saul's disobedience. This highlights the **Consequences of Disobedience**, particularly King Saul's tragic rejection as king (1 Samuel 15:23) due to his partial obedience, which God deemed rebellion. Agag's fate serves as a grim reminder of the ultimate consequences of defying God's explicit commands. Furthermore, the verse powerfully illustrates the danger of **False Security** and presumption. Agag's statement, "Surely the bitterness of death is past," reveals a profound miscalculation and self-deception, believing he had escaped his doom. Finally, Samuel's decisive action underscores the theme of **Prophetic Authority and True Obedience**, demonstrating that God's true messengers prioritize divine commands above all human considerations or desires for popular acclaim, acting as instruments of God's unfailing will.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **delicately (Hebrew, _ma'adannoth'_):** This word (מעדנות) is unique in the Old Testament, appearing only here. Its root can relate to "delicacies" or "pleasures," but in this context, it is often interpreted as "trembling" or "with a stately, luxurious gait." The KJV's "delicately" suggests an attempt at composure or a false sense of security, perhaps even a refined or easy manner, as if he believed he was being led to safety or a more dignified fate. This interpretation is strongly supported by Agag's subsequent statement, indicating he was under the tragic delusion that the worst was over.
* **bitterness (Hebrew, _mar'_):** The Hebrew word (מר) literally means "bitter." Here, "the bitterness of death" refers to the agony, the sting, or the dreadful experience of facing execution. Agag's use of this phrase indicates his prior fear or experience of near-death, which he now believes he has survived. It encapsulates the terror and dread associated with impending doom.
* **past (Hebrew, _'avar'_):** The verb (עבר) means "to pass over, through, or by." In Agag's declaration, it signifies that the period of intense danger or the experience of facing death has concluded. He believes the threat has receded, and he is now safe. This word highlights the profound irony and tragic misjudgment of his situation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites."**: This opening clause marks a decisive shift. With Saul having failed to complete the divine mandate, Samuel, the prophet of God, takes direct command. His instruction is firm and immediate, asserting God's authority and ensuring the fulfillment of the long-standing judgment against Amalek. It underscores that God's will cannot be thwarted by human disobedience.
* **"And Agag came unto him delicately."**: Agag's approach is described with the unique word *ma'adannoth*. This detail is crucial for understanding Agag's state of mind. Whether he came trembling with fear, attempting to project dignity, or with a false sense of ease and luxury, his demeanor suggests a profound misreading of the situation. He likely believed his life was spared, perhaps even hoping for a more lenient captivity or a place in Saul's court.
* **"And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past."**: This statement is the tragic climax of Agag's delusion. Having been spared by Saul, he presumes that the imminent danger of execution has passed. He expresses relief, believing he has navigated the most perilous moment and is now out of harm's way. This utterance serves as a powerful example of human presumption and self-deception in the face of divine reckoning, setting up the profound irony of his immediate demise.

#### Literary Devices
The passage is rich in **Irony**. Agag's declaration, "Surely the bitterness of death is past," is profoundly ironic, as he is brought before Samuel precisely to be executed. His words express a deluded sense of safety just moments before his brutal end, highlighting his tragic miscalculation and the ultimate certainty of divine judgment. This also serves as a form of **Dramatic Irony**, where the audience (and Samuel) knows Agag's true fate, while Agag himself remains ignorant. Furthermore, there is a strong **Contrast** between Samuel's unwavering obedience and resolute action, and Saul's earlier partial obedience and failure. Samuel's decisive command to "Bring ye hither to me Agag" directly contrasts with Saul's weakness and compromise, emphasizing the difference between true faithfulness and human expediency.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully illustrates the unwavering nature of God's justice and the certainty of His judgment against persistent evil. While God is merciful and patient, He is also righteous and holy, and His decrees against sin will ultimately be fulfilled. Agag's tragic miscalculation serves as a stark reminder that one cannot escape divine reckoning through human manipulation or partial obedience. The narrative underscores that God's commands are not suggestions to be negotiated or partially fulfilled, but absolute directives that demand complete and faithful obedience. Samuel's action demonstrates that God will always find a way to accomplish His purposes, even if it requires stepping in where human agents have failed.

* [Deuteronomy 25:17-19](/deuteronomy/25-17 "Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you came out of Egypt")
* [Exodus 17:14-16](/exodus/17-14 "The LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The scene with Agag and Samuel offers profound lessons for believers today. We are often tempted, like Saul, to practice partial obedience, rationalizing our compromises or holding back areas of our lives from God's full authority. This passage challenges us to examine our hearts: are there "Agags" in our lives—persistent sins, unyielded ambitions, or areas of rebellion—that we have spared, believing the "bitterness of death" for them has passed? This verse is a stark reminder that God's judgment against sin is certain, and true spiritual victory comes only through complete surrender and obedience to His word. We must not be presumptuous like Agag, assuming that past leniency means future immunity. Instead, we are called to sober self-assessment, recognizing that God's justice will prevail, and His will for holiness in our lives must be fully embraced. Samuel's unwavering commitment to executing God's command serves as a model for our own spiritual resolve in confronting and eradicating sin within ourselves and standing firm for God's truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be practicing "partial obedience," holding back from God what He fully commands?**
* **Am I ever guilty of Agag's presumption, believing that consequences for sin have "passed" or that I can escape divine reckoning?**
* **How does Samuel's unwavering commitment to God's command challenge my own resolve in spiritual matters and in confronting sin?**

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

Answer: God's command for the utter destruction of the Amalekites (known as *herem*) was not an act of arbitrary cruelty but a divinely ordained judicial execution rooted in their persistent and profound wickedness. The Amalekites had a long history of antagonism against God and His people, beginning with their unprovoked and cowardly attack on the vulnerable Israelites, targeting the weak and weary at the rear of their journey out of Egypt (see [Deuteronomy 25:17-18](/deuteronomy/25-17 "Deuteronomy 25:17-18 - Amalek's Treachery")). This act was a direct affront to God, who had just delivered Israel. God declared a perpetual war against Amalek, vowing to "blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven" (see [Exodus 17:14-16](/exodus/17-14 "Exodus 17:14-16 - God's Oath Against Amalek")). Over centuries, they continued to oppose Israel and, by extension, God's redemptive plan. Their wickedness had reached a full measure, making them an archetype of persistent, irredeemable evil that actively opposed God's kingdom. The *herem* command was therefore a theological act, demonstrating God's holiness, His righteous judgment against utter depravity, and His commitment to protecting His covenant people from corrupting influences.

**What does "delicately" mean in this context?**

Answer: The King James Version's translation of "delicately" for the Hebrew word *ma'adannoth* (מעדנות) is unique and has been subject to various interpretations. The root of the word can suggest "luxuries" or "pleasures," but in the context of Agag's approach, it is more commonly understood in one of two ways:
1. **With a stately or luxurious gait:** This suggests Agag came with a sense of dignity, perhaps even pomp, as if he expected to be treated as a king who had been spared, or that his life was no longer in danger.
2. **Trembling or tottering:** Some scholars connect it to a root implying "trembling" or "shaking," suggesting Agag came fearfully or unsteadily.
However, given Agag's subsequent statement, "Surely the bitterness of death is past," the interpretation of him approaching with a false sense of composure, perhaps even a confident or hopeful demeanor, seems most fitting. He believed he had escaped his doom, and his manner reflected this tragic misjudgment, leading him to walk "delicately" in the sense of being at ease or secure, rather than in terror.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Samuel's decisive judgment upon Agag, following Saul's failure, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Where Saul, Israel's first king, failed in complete obedience to God's command, Jesus, the true King of Israel, perfectly embodied obedience "even to the point of death on a cross" (see [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). He did not spare the "Agags" of sin, self-will, or compromise within Himself, but completely submitted to the Father's will, utterly destroying the works of the devil (see [1 John 3:8](/1_john/3-8 "1 John 3:8 - Jesus Destroys the Works of the Devil")). Agag's tragic delusion that the "bitterness of death is past" stands in stark contrast to the glorious reality for those in Christ: through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection, the true "bitterness of death"—its power, its sting, and its eternal consequence—has indeed been overcome for all who believe (see [1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death Through Christ") and [John 5:24](/john/5-24 "John 5:24 - Believers Pass from Death to Life")). Christ is the ultimate executor of divine justice, who will one day judge all evil and bring every enemy under His feet (see [Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - Christ the Rider on the White Horse")). Moreover, for believers, the call to "put to death" the old self and its sinful desires (see [Colossians 3:5](/colossians/3-5 "Colossians 3:5 - Put to Death Earthly Things")) is a spiritual echo of Samuel's uncompromising act, empowered not by human strength but by the Spirit of Christ, ensuring that the "Amalekites" of our own hearts are truly conquered.

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 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.