1 Samuel 15:33

KJV

And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Samuel {H8050} said {H559}, As thy sword {H2719} hath made women {H802} childless {H7921}, so shall thy mother {H517} be childless {H7921} among women {H802}. And Samuel {H8050} hewed {H8158} Agag {H90} in pieces {H8158} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068} in Gilgal {H1537}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Sh'mu'el said, "Just as your sword has left women childless, so will your mother be left childless among women." Then Sh'mu'el cut Agag in pieces before ADONAI in Gilgal.

Berean Standard Bible

But Samuel declared: “As your sword has made women childless, so your mother will be childless among women.” And Samuel hacked Agag to pieces before the LORD at Gilgal.

American Standard Version

And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before Jehovah in Gilgal.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 15:33 vividly recounts the prophet Samuel's decisive and brutal execution of Agag, the king of the Amalekites, in Gilgal. This climactic act of divine judgment serves as the stark culmination of King Saul's narrative of partial obedience and subsequent rejection by God. Samuel's pronouncement to Agag, directly linking Agag's past violence to his own impending demise, powerfully underscores the principle of divine retribution, while the public dismemberment functions as a chillingly effective, ritualistic affirmation of God's unwavering commitment to His commands and justice, especially when human agents falter.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse provides the grim and definitive resolution to the pivotal narrative of King Saul's disobedience in [1 Samuel 15](/1_samuel/15 "1 Samuel 15 - Saul's Disobedience and Rejection"). The chapter begins with a clear, unequivocal command from God, delivered through Samuel, for Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites as an act of *herem* (devotion to destruction), a judgment stemming from their ancient hostility towards Israel ([1 Samuel 15:2-3](/1_samuel/15-2-3 "1 Samuel 15:2-3 - God's Command to Destroy Amalek")). However, Saul disobeys this divine mandate by sparing Agag, the Amalekite king, and preserving the best of the livestock, ostensibly for sacrifice ([1 Samuel 15:9](/1_samuel/15-9 "1 Samuel 15:9 - Saul's Partial Obedience")). This act of partial obedience is unequivocally deemed outright rebellion by God, leading to His solemn decision to reject Saul as king ([1 Samuel 15:10-23](/1_samuel/15-10-23 "1 Samuel 15:10-23 - God Rejects Saul")). Deeply grieved by Saul's profound failure, Samuel confronts the king, pronounces God's unalterable judgment, and then, with unwavering resolve, personally carries out the divine command that Saul had failed to fulfill. The execution of Agag thus marks the definitive end of Saul's reign in God's eyes and powerfully highlights the uncompromising nature of divine justice and the absolute necessity of complete obedience.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Amalekites were a nomadic, predatory people with a long-standing and deeply rooted history of animosity towards Israel. Their most notable offense was an unprovoked and cowardly attack on the Israelites from the rear during their Exodus journey from Egypt, specifically targeting the weak and vulnerable ([Deuteronomy 25:17-19](/deuteronomy/25-17-19 "Deuteronomy 25:17-19 - Remember Amalek's Treachery")). This egregious act led to a divine decree that Amalek's memory should be blotted out. The concept of *herem* was a specific command for holy war, where everything captured was to be dedicated to God, typically through destruction, to prevent defilement or the appropriation of forbidden spoils. Gilgal, the precise location of Agag's execution, held immense historical and covenantal significance for Israel. It was their first encampment after crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land ([Joshua 4:19](/joshua/4-19 "Joshua 4:19 - Israel Encamped at Gilgal")), a place of covenant renewal, mass circumcision, and the symbolic "rolling away" of the reproach of Egypt ([Joshua 5:9](/joshua/5-9 "Joshua 5:9 - The Reproach of Egypt Rolled Away")). It was also where Saul was publicly confirmed as king ([1 Samuel 11:15](/1_samuel/11-15 "1 Samuel 11:15 - Saul Confirmed as King at Gilgal")) and, ironically, where he had previously offered an unauthorized sacrifice, demonstrating his early spiritual failures ([1 Samuel 13:8-14](/1_samuel/13-8-14 "1 Samuel 13:8-14 - Saul's Unlawful Sacrifice at Gilgal")). Thus, Gilgal serves as a poignant and powerful backdrop for both Saul's initial anointing and his ultimate rejection, culminating in this profound act of divine judgment.

* **Key Themes:** The events of [1 Samuel 15](/1_samuel/15 "1 Samuel 15 - Saul's Disobedience and Rejection"), culminating in Agag's execution, powerfully illustrate several foundational biblical themes. First is **Divine Justice and Retribution**, where God's righteous judgment is meted out precisely and fittingly. Samuel's declaration to Agag, that his own violence would be repaid in kind, echoes the biblical principle of *lex talionis* and underscores God's sovereign oversight of human actions, ensuring that wickedness does not go unpunished. Second, the passage emphasizes the **Severity of Disobedience and the Imperative of Complete Obedience**. Saul's partial obedience was deemed complete rebellion, demonstrating that God demands wholehearted adherence to His commands, not humanly reasoned compromises or self-serving justifications. Samuel's famous declaration, "[to obey is better than sacrifice](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience Better Than Sacrifice")," finds its starkest illustration here, as Saul's failure to obey fully costs him the kingdom. Third, the narrative highlights **God's Uncompromising Holiness and Sovereignty**. God's character is revealed as one who is not swayed by human expediency or sentimentality when His holy purposes and declared judgments are at stake. His commands are not suggestions but require absolute fidelity. Finally, Samuel's role as **God's Faithful Agent** is paramount. As prophet and judge, Samuel acts as God's unwavering instrument to ensure divine justice is carried out when human leadership (Saul) fails, embodying unwavering devotion to God's will above all else.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sword (Hebrew, _chereb'_):** The Hebrew noun חֶרֶב (*chereb*) refers to a cutting instrument, specifically a sword, dagger, or knife, emphasizing its destructive effect. In this context, "thy sword" directly implicates Agag's personal agency and the instrument of his violence, linking his past actions of causing death and bereavement to the retribution he now faces. It highlights the direct correlation between his means of inflicting suffering and the suffering now visited upon him.
* **Childless (Hebrew, _shakol'_):** The Hebrew verb שָׁכֹל (*shakol*) means "to be bereaved," "to suffer abortion," or "to be childless." It conveys a profound sense of loss, specifically the loss of children, which in ancient Near Eastern cultures was a devastating personal and familial tragedy, threatening the continuation of one's lineage and legacy. Samuel's repeated use of this term directly links Agag's violent acts—which caused other women to become *shakol*—to his own mother experiencing the same, emphasizing a direct, retributive justice. The repetition underscores the poetic and judicial nature of Samuel's pronouncement.
* **Hewed in pieces (Hebrew, _shatsaph'_):** The Hebrew verb שָׁסַף (*shatsaph*) is a graphic and forceful term meaning "to cut in pieces" or "to slaughter." While the Strong's data provided for H8158 is *shâçaph*, the KJV text uses "hewed in pieces" which aligns with the meaning of *shatsaph*. This verb emphasizes the brutality, completeness, and public nature of Agag's execution. The choice of this verb highlights that Agag was not merely killed but ritually dismembered, underscoring the severity of the divine judgment and the complete annihilation of his power and person.
* **Before the LORD (Hebrew, _lifnei YHWH'_):** The Hebrew phrase לִפְנֵי יְהוָה (*lifnei YHWH*) literally translates to "in the face of Yahweh" or "in the presence of Yahweh." This signifies that Agag's execution was not a private act of vengeance or a mere political assassination, but a solemn, public, and ritualistic act carried out under God's direct authority and in His sight. It elevates the event from a human act to a divine judgment, a sacred execution performed by God's appointed representative, Samuel, in a manner that affirmed God's absolute sovereignty and justice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women."**: Samuel's declaration is a powerful and precise statement of *lex talionis*, the law of retribution, where the punishment directly mirrors the crime. Agag, as a king and likely a warrior, was responsible for the deaths of many, leaving their mothers and wives bereaved of their sons and husbands. Samuel pronounces that the same sorrow and loss that Agag inflicted upon others will now be visited upon his own mother. This is not merely a curse but a judicial sentence, emphasizing God's perfect and equitable justice, demonstrating that the oppressor will experience the very pain he inflicted.
* **"And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal."**: This clause describes the immediate and brutal execution of the sentence. Samuel, acting as God's unwavering agent, personally carries out the divine command that King Saul had failed to fulfill. The graphic nature of "hewed in pieces" (as discussed in Key Word Analysis) signifies a complete and utter destruction, leaving no doubt about the finality of the judgment. The location "in Gilgal" reinforces the historical and covenantal significance of the place, transforming the act into a public demonstration of God's unwavering justice and sovereignty. The phrase "before the LORD" elevates the execution to a sacred, divinely sanctioned act, underscoring that it was done in God's immediate presence and according to His explicit will, not out of personal malice or human passion.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound and challenging message. **Retribution Theology** is central, explicitly stated in Samuel's pronouncement: Agag's fate directly mirrors his past actions, illustrating the principle that divine justice ensures that the perpetrator experiences the consequences of their own violence. This is not merely human vengeance but a theological statement about God's righteous governance of the world. **Irony** is powerfully present; Saul, the anointed king, failed to execute God's command, but the prophet Samuel, a man of God, steps in to fulfill the king's duty, highlighting Saul's spiritual inadequacy and the transfer of divine favor away from him. The act of "hewing in pieces" carries potent **Symbolism**, evoking the imagery of a sacrificial offering, which is deeply ironic given Saul's false pretense of sparing Agag for sacrifice. Agag becomes a sacrificial offering, but one of divine judgment and complete destruction, not human piety or atonement. Furthermore, the scene serves as a dramatic **Foreshadowing** of Saul's own ultimate rejection and violent end, as his failure to obey God's command fully leads to his downfall, much as Agag's violence leads to his own dismemberment. The stark contrast between Saul's hesitation and Samuel's resolute action also highlights the enduring theme of **Prophetic Authority** versus failed kingship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The execution of Agag in [1 Samuel 15:33](/1_samuel/15-33 "1 Samuel 15:33 - Samuel Executes Agag") is a stark reminder of God's unwavering justice and the absolute necessity of complete obedience to His commands. It reveals a God who is holy and righteous, who sees and judges evil, and who will not tolerate partial obedience or human rationalizations in place of His explicit will. This event underscores the seriousness of sin and rebellion against God's revealed word, demonstrating that divine judgment, though often delayed, is certain and comprehensive. It also highlights the principle that God will ensure His purposes are fulfilled, even if it requires His faithful servants to step into difficult and uncompromising roles when human leadership falters. While the severity of the act may challenge modern sensibilities, it serves as a powerful testament to God's commitment to justice and the eradication of evil that persistently opposes His people and His kingdom.

* [Deuteronomy 7:1-6](/deuteronomy/7-1-6 "Deuteronomy 7:1-6 - Command to Destroy Canaanites")
* [Psalm 58:10-11](/psalms/58-10-11 "Psalm 58:10-11 - The Righteous Rejoice in Vengeance")
* [Romans 13:4](/romans/13-4 "Romans 13:4 - Government as God's Agent of Justice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of Agag's execution, though set in a distant and challenging historical context, offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today. It compels us to confront the nature of our own obedience to God. Are we prone to "partial obedience," holding back areas of our lives from God's full authority, perhaps rationalizing our compromises as Saul did? This passage challenges us to recognize that true obedience is holistic and unwavering, not selective or convenient. Furthermore, it calls us to trust in God's perfect justice, even when His ways seem harsh or incomprehensible from a human perspective. We are reminded that God is sovereign over all things, and His judgments, though sometimes severe, are always righteous. Spiritually, this passage can be applied to the need for decisive action against sin in our lives. Just as Agag represented a persistent enemy of God's people, so too can certain sins or patterns of rebellion become entrenched within us. We are called to "hew them in pieces," to utterly destroy them by God's grace and power, rather than sparing them or making excuses for their presence. This requires a radical commitment to holiness and a willingness to confront and eliminate anything that stands in opposition to God's will in our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be practicing "partial obedience," holding back from God what He has clearly commanded?**
* **How does this passage challenge my understanding of God's justice and holiness, particularly when His commands seem severe?**
* **What "Agags"—persistent sins, rebellious attitudes, or ungodly habits—do I need to decisively "hew in pieces" in my own spiritual walk, relying on God's strength?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart of complete and joyful obedience to God, rather than one that seeks to compromise or rationalize its actions?**

### FAQ

**Was Samuel's act of "hewing Agag in pieces" an act of personal vengeance or divine justice?**

Answer: Samuel's act was unequivocally an execution of divine justice, not personal vengeance. The text explicitly states it was done "before the LORD," signifying that it was a solemn, ritualistic act carried out under God's direct command and authority. Samuel, as God's prophet and judge, was fulfilling a divine decree that King Saul had failed to execute. The command to utterly destroy the Amalekites was a long-standing divine judgment against a people who had persistently opposed God's chosen nation, dating back to their unprovoked attack on the Israelites during the Exodus ([Deuteronomy 25:17-19](/deuteronomy/25-17-19 "Deuteronomy 25:17-19 - Remember Amalek's Treachery")). Samuel's action underscores God's uncompromising holiness and His commitment to His declared judgments, even when they are severe from a human perspective.

**How can a God of love command such a violent act?**

Answer: This is a challenging question that requires understanding God's character in its fullness. While God is indeed love ([1 John 4:8](/1_john/4-8 "1 John 4:8 - God is Love")), He is also perfectly holy, righteous, and just. The command to destroy the Amalekites was not arbitrary but a judgment against a people whose wickedness and persistent hostility towards God's people had reached a point of no return. This act of *herem* (devotion to destruction) was a unique command for specific historical circumstances, often aimed at preventing the corruption of Israel by pagan practices and ensuring the purity of God's covenant people. From a biblical perspective, God's justice is a necessary aspect of His love, as it ensures that evil does not ultimately triumph and that righteousness prevails. While difficult to reconcile with modern sensibilities, this passage reminds us that God is sovereign, and His judgments are always righteous, even when they are beyond our full comprehension.

**What is the significance of the execution taking place "in Gilgal"?**

Answer: Gilgal holds deep historical and theological significance for Israel. It was the first encampment after crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land ([Joshua 4:19](/joshua/4-19 "Joshua 4:19 - Israel Encamped at Gilgal")), a place where the reproach of Egypt was "rolled away" through circumcision, signifying a new covenant beginning ([Joshua 5:9](/joshua/5-9 "Joshua 5:9 - The Reproach of Egypt Rolled Away")). It was also where Saul was confirmed as king ([1 Samuel 11:15](/1_samuel/11-15 "1 Samuel 11:15 - Saul Confirmed as King at Gilgal")) and, ironically, where he later offered an unauthorized sacrifice, demonstrating his early disobedience ([1 Samuel 13:8-14](/1_samuel/13-8-14 "1 Samuel 13:8-14 - Saul's Unlawful Sacrifice at Gilgal")). Thus, Gilgal represents both covenant faithfulness and the consequences of disobedience. Agag's execution there, "before the LORD," at the very place of Israel's renewed covenant with God and Saul's initial anointing, underscores the profound nature of Saul's failure and the solemnity of God's judgment, serving as a public declaration of the end of Saul's reign in God's eyes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The grim scene of Agag's execution, while confronting in its severity, ultimately points us to the perfect justice and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Samuel's act of executing divine judgment foreshadows the ultimate judgment against sin and evil that is fully realized in Christ. While Samuel dismembers Agag, the persistent enemy of Israel, Christ, the true Lamb of God, is himself "cut off" for the sins of His people, bearing the full weight of God's righteous wrath against sin ([Isaiah 53:8](/isaiah/53-8 "Isaiah 53:8 - He Was Cut Off")). The principle of retribution, "as thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless," finds its ultimate resolution not in humanity's self-inflicted judgment, but in Christ taking the judgment due to us. He became sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Furthermore, Saul's partial obedience, which led to his rejection and the loss of his kingdom, highlights the profound need for a perfect King who would offer complete and unwavering obedience. Jesus Christ is that King, who perfectly fulfilled all righteousness ([Matthew 3:15](/matthew/3-15 "Matthew 3:15 - Jesus Fulfills All Righteousness")) and was "obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" ([Philippians 2:8](/philipians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). His perfect obedience stands in stark contrast to Saul's failure, securing salvation for all who believe. Ultimately, the decisive judgment against evil, symbolized by Agag's demise, is fully accomplished in Christ's victory over sin, death, and the devil on the cross and through His resurrection, ushering in a new covenant where God's justice and mercy perfectly meet ([Romans 3:25-26](/romans/3-25-26 "Romans 3:25-26 - God's Righteousness Displayed in 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

Judges 1:7

And Adonibezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered [their meat] under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.

Genesis 9:6

Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.

Matthew 7:2

For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

Revelation 18:6

Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double.

Revelation 16:6

For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.

James 2:13

For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

1 Kings 18:40

And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.