1 Samuel 15:8

KJV

And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he took {H8610} Agag {H90} the king {H4428} of the Amalekites {H6002} alive {H2416}, and utterly destroyed {H2763} all the people {H5971} with the edge {H6310} of the sword {H2719}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He took Agag the king of 'Amalek alive; but he completely destroyed the people, putting them to the sword.

Berean Standard Bible

He captured Agag king of Amalek alive, but devoted all the others to destruction with the sword.

American Standard Version

And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 15:8 captures a pivotal moment in King Saul's reign, revealing his partial obedience to God's explicit command regarding the Amalekites. While Saul successfully "utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword," he deliberately spared Agag, the king of the Amalekites, taking him alive. This act of selective obedience, driven by self-will rather than divine mandate, proved to be a fatal flaw in Saul's character and leadership, ultimately leading to his rejection as king by God. The verse underscores the critical importance of complete and unreserved obedience to divine instruction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a crucial narrative arc in the book of 1 Samuel, specifically in chapter 15, which serves as the definitive turning point in Saul's kingship. Prior to this, Saul had experienced military successes and established his authority, yet signs of his self-reliance and impatience had already emerged, notably in his unauthorized sacrifice in [1 Samuel 13](/1_samuel/13 "1 Samuel 13 - Saul's Disobedience and Rejection"). Here, the prophet Samuel delivers a direct, unambiguous command from God: to utterly destroy the Amalekites, including their king, livestock, and all inhabitants ([1 Samuel 15:2-3](/1_samuel/15-2 "1 Samuel 15:2-3 - God's Command to Destroy Amalek")). Saul's actions in verse 8, followed by his subsequent justifications and Samuel's pronouncement of God's rejection, form the climax of this narrative, setting the stage for the anointing of David and the eventual decline of Saul.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The command to utterly destroy the Amalekites (known as *cherem* or "devotion to destruction") was not an act of arbitrary cruelty but a specific divine judgment rooted in centuries of Amalekite hostility towards Israel. [Deuteronomy 25:17-19](/deuteronomy/25-17 "Deuteronomy 25:17-19 - Remember Amalek") recounts their unprovoked attack on the weakest and weary of Israel during the Exodus, demonstrating a deep-seated antagonism against God's chosen people. Furthermore, the Amalekites were a nomadic, predatory people who consistently opposed Israel and God's redemptive plan. In ancient Near Eastern warfare, *cherem* was a practice where conquered cities or peoples were devoted entirely to a deity, often through destruction, to prevent assimilation of pagan practices or to fulfill a divine curse. For Israel, it signified that the spoils were not for human gain but were consecrated to God, emphasizing His absolute sovereignty and justice. Saul's failure to execute this command fully was not merely a military misstep but a profound theological and covenantal transgression.

* **Key Themes:** The central theme highlighted by this verse is the paramount importance of **complete obedience** to God's explicit commands, contrasting sharply with the dangers of **partial obedience**, which God views as outright disobedience. Saul's decision to spare Agag and the best of the livestock ([1 Samuel 15:9](/1_samuel/15-9 "1 Samuel 15:9 - Saul Spares Agag and Livestock")) demonstrates a desire for personal glory, perceived strategic advantage, or perhaps a misguided attempt at mercy, all of which superseded God's clear instruction. This act also underscores the theme of **divine sovereignty versus human discretion**, illustrating that God's will is not subject to human modification or improvement. The immediate consequence, God's **rejection of Saul as king** ([1 Samuel 15:23](/1_samuel/15-23 "1 Samuel 15:23 - Rebellion is as the Sin of Witchcraft")), powerfully conveys the seriousness of disregarding God's specific instructions and the profound implications of disobedience for leadership and covenant faithfulness.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **took (Hebrew, _lāqaḥ'_):** This verb, commonly translated as "to take," "to seize," or "to capture," carries significant weight here. It denotes Saul's active decision to possess Agag, bringing him into his custody rather than executing him as commanded. In the context of *cherem*, where everything was to be destroyed, *lāqaḥ* stands in stark opposition to the expected action, highlighting Saul's deliberate choice to deviate from God's mandate.
* **Agag (Hebrew, _ʾĂḡaḡ'_):** Agag is not merely a name but represents the very essence and leadership of the Amalekite nation. By sparing Agag, Saul effectively spared the head of the enemy, a symbolic act of defiance against the command to utterly eradicate the Amalekite threat. His survival meant the potential for future resurgence, as indeed happened centuries later with Haman, an Agagite, in the book of Esther.
* **utterly destroyed (Hebrew, _ḥāram'_):** Derived from the root *ḥāram*, this phrase signifies "to devote to destruction," "to put under the ban," or "to utterly destroy." In the context of holy war, it means that everything captured was to be consecrated to God by being completely destroyed, with nothing taken as personal spoil or for human benefit. Saul's action of "utterly destroy[ing] all the people" superficially fulfills part of the command, yet his simultaneous sparing of Agag and the best of the livestock ([1 Samuel 15:9](/1_samuel/15-9 "1 Samuel 15:9 - Saul Spares Agag and Livestock")) fundamentally violated the spirit and letter of *ḥāram*, demonstrating a desire for personal gain or prestige over complete obedience to God's will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive":** This clause immediately reveals Saul's disobedience. God's command in [1 Samuel 15:3](/1_samuel/15-3 "1 Samuel 15:3 - God's Command to Destroy Amalek") was explicit: "Now go and attack Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have; do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey." Sparing Agag, the king, was a direct and significant violation. It suggests Saul's desire to parade a captured king as a trophy, a common practice in ancient warfare, but one that directly contradicted the divine purpose of the *cherem*—to eliminate a persistent enemy of God and prevent any personal gain from the holy war. This act of partial obedience was, in God's eyes, complete rebellion.
* **"and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword":** This second clause highlights Saul's selective obedience. He did carry out the command to destroy the general populace, demonstrating his military capability and a superficial adherence to God's word. However, this partial compliance cannot compensate for the fundamental breach of command in sparing Agag and the best of the livestock. The juxtaposition of these two clauses within a single verse powerfully illustrates the deceptive nature of partial obedience, where seemingly good actions are undermined by a core act of defiance. It sets up the dramatic confrontation with Samuel, where Saul's justifications are exposed as hollow.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Contrast** is immediately evident in the juxtaposition of "took Agag... alive" and "utterly destroyed all the people." This highlights Saul's selective obedience, revealing his self-serving agenda rather than full devotion to God's command. There is a profound sense of **Irony**, as Saul believes he has achieved a victory and fulfilled his duty, yet his actions are precisely what lead to his rejection. He performs the outward act of destruction but fails in the inward spirit of obedience. Furthermore, this verse serves as a dramatic **Foreshadowing** of Saul's tragic downfall. His disobedience here is not an isolated incident but a clear indicator of his character flaw—a tendency towards self-will and a lack of absolute trust in God's wisdom and authority—which will ultimately cost him his kingdom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The account of Saul and Agag profoundly illustrates that God demands complete and unreserved obedience, viewing partial compliance as outright rebellion. Saul's failure to fully execute the *cherem* against the Amalekites was not merely a tactical error but a spiritual affront, demonstrating a heart that prioritized human rationale, personal glory, or perceived gain over divine authority. This narrative underscores the absolute nature of God's commands and the seriousness of sin, particularly when it stems from a leader entrusted with executing God's will. It teaches that true faithfulness is measured not by what we choose to obey, but by our willingness to submit to every instruction, even those that seem difficult or counter-intuitive from a human perspective. God's justice is perfect, and His commands, even those involving severe judgment, are part of His righteous governance of the world.

* [Deuteronomy 13:17-18](/deuteronomy/13-17 "Deuteronomy 13:17-18 - The Law of Herem")
* [Proverbs 21:3](/proverbs/21-3 "Proverbs 21:3 - To Do Righteousness and Justice is More Acceptable to the Lord Than Sacrifice")
* [Matthew 7:21](/matthew/7-21 "Matthew 7:21 - Not Everyone Who Says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' Will Enter the Kingdom of Heaven")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The narrative of Saul and Agag serves as a timeless and sobering warning for believers today, challenging us to examine the sincerity and completeness of our own obedience to God. It confronts the dangerous delusion that partial compliance is sufficient or that our good intentions can justify a deviation from God's explicit will. Spiritually, the "Amalekites" can represent persistent sins, ungodly habits, or areas of pride and self-will that God calls us to utterly eradicate from our lives. Sparing "Agag" might symbolize holding onto a cherished sin, a comfortable compromise, or a part of our old nature that we are reluctant to surrender fully to Christ for spiritual growth and true freedom. This passage calls us to radical self-examination, urging us to trust God's perfect wisdom and justice even when His commands seem harsh or inexplicable, and to pursue a life of wholehearted devotion where every aspect of our being is brought into submission to His perfect will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life am I tempted to practice "partial obedience," holding back certain aspects from God's full control?**
* **What are the "Agags"—the cherished sins, worldly attachments, or aspects of self-will—that I am reluctant to "utterly destroy" in obedience to Christ?**
* **How does this passage challenge my understanding of God's justice and the necessity of radical, complete obedience, even when His commands seem difficult or counter-intuitive?**
* **What steps can I take today to cultivate a heart of complete surrender and prompt obedience to God's voice?**

### FAQ

**Why did God command such a brutal act of "utter destruction" against the Amalekites?**

Answer: The command for "utter destruction" (Hebrew *cherem*) was not an act of arbitrary cruelty but a specific, severe divine judgment against the Amalekites for their persistent and egregious wickedness. Historically, they launched an unprovoked attack on the weakest and most vulnerable of the Israelites during their Exodus from Egypt ([Deuteronomy 25:17-19](/deuteronomy/25-17 "Deuteronomy 25:17-19 - Remember Amalek")), demonstrating a deep-seated antagonism against God's chosen people and His redemptive plan. They were a predatory, idolatrous nation that consistently opposed God. This command was a judicial act, a consequence of their deep-seated evil, and served as a warning to other nations. It also protected Israel from corrupting influences and ensured the purity of their covenant relationship with God, preventing them from taking spoil that might lead to idolatry or self-glory.

**Was Saul's sin really that severe to warrant losing his kingdom?**

Answer: Yes, Saul's sin was profoundly severe because it was a direct, deliberate defiance of an explicit divine command delivered through God's prophet Samuel. It demonstrated a fundamental flaw in his character: a heart of rebellion and self-will, valuing his own judgment and perceived gain (spoil, prestige of a captured king) over God's absolute authority. This was not a minor transgression but a profound failure of his kingly office, which was to faithfully execute God's will. As Samuel famously declared, "To obey is better than sacrifice" ([1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience Better Than Sacrifice")). Saul's disobedience revealed that he was not "a man after God's own heart" ([1 Samuel 13:14](/1_samuel/13-14 "1 Samuel 13:14 - God Seeks a Man After His Own Heart")), a quality God sought in Israel's king, and thus he was deemed unfit to continue leading God's people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Saul failed to utterly destroy the enemy as commanded, leading to his rejection, Jesus Christ, the ultimate King, perfectly fulfilled God's will through His complete and unwavering obedience. Unlike Saul, who sought to preserve aspects of the enemy for his own glory, Christ came not to do His own will but the will of the Father ([John 6:38](/john/6-38 "John 6:38 - Jesus Does the Father's Will")), even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). On the cross, Jesus utterly destroyed the power of sin, death, and the devil, not by sparing, but by fully conquering them through His sacrificial act ([Colossians 2:14-15](/colossians/2-14 "Colossians 2:14-15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). He became the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), utterly eradicating the spiritual "Amalekites" that plague humanity. Through His perfect obedience, Christ secured our salvation and empowers believers to participate in the "utter destruction" of sin in their own lives, crucifying the flesh with its passions and desires ([Romans 6:6](/romans/6-6 "Romans 6:6 - Our Old Self Crucified with Christ"), [Galatians 5:24](/galatians/5-24 "Galatians 5:24 - Those Who Belong to Christ Jesus Have Crucified the Flesh")). He is the King who perfectly fulfills God's righteous judgment and establishes an eternal kingdom founded on perfect obedience.

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 30:1

¶ And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;

Numbers 24:7

He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed [shall be] in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.

Esther 3:1

¶ After these things did king Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that [were] with him.

1 Kings 20:34

And [Benhadad] said unto him, The cities, which my father took from thy father, I will restore; and thou shalt make streets for thee in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria. Then [said Ahab], I will send thee away with this covenant. So he made a covenant with him, and sent him away.

1 Kings 20:42

And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Because thou hast let go out of [thy] hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people.

Joshua 10:39

And he took it, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof; and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the souls that [were] therein; he left none remaining: as he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir, and to the king thereof; as he had done also to Libnah, and to her king.

Joshua 11:12

And all the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, did Joshua take, and smote them with the edge of the sword, [and] he utterly destroyed them, as Moses the servant of the LORD commanded.