1 Samuel 15:9

But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all [that was] good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing [that was] vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.

But Saul {H7586} and the people {H5971} spared {H2550} Agag {H90}, and the best {H4315} of the sheep {H6629}, and of the oxen {H1241}, and of the fatlings {H4932}, and the lambs {H3733}, and all that was good {H2896}, and would {H14} not utterly destroy {H2763} them: but every thing {H4399} that was vile {H5240} and refuse {H4549}, that they destroyed utterly {H2763}.

However, Sha'ul and the people spared Agag, along with the best of the sheep and cattle, and even the second best, also the lambs, and everything that was good - they weren't inclined to destroy these things. But everything that was worthless or weak they completely destroyed.

Saul and his troops spared Agag, along with the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs, and the best of everything else. They were unwilling to destroy them, but they devoted to destruction all that was despised and worthless.

But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but everything that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.

Commentary

1 Samuel 15:9 describes King Saul's critical act of disobedience during his campaign against the Amalekites, directly violating God's explicit instructions given through the prophet Samuel.

Context

God had commanded Saul to "utterly destroy" the Amalekites and all their possessions, a divine judgment for their historical hostility towards Israel (see Exodus 17:8-16 and Deuteronomy 25:17-19). This was a total ban, a command known as cherem in Hebrew, meaning everything was to be devoted to destruction and nothing taken as spoil. However, as this verse reveals, Saul and the people chose to spare King Agag and the finest of the livestock and goods, destroying only what was "vile and refuse."

Key Themes

  • Partial Obedience is Disobedience: This verse starkly illustrates that God requires complete and unconditional obedience. Saul's selective adherence to the command, based on his own judgment or the people's desire for spoil, was seen by God as outright rebellion.
  • Human Reasoning vs. Divine Will: Saul's decision to spare the "good" likely stemmed from a desire for a triumphant return, to offer sacrifices, or for personal gain. However, these human motives directly contradicted God's clear and total command, highlighting the danger of prioritizing our own wisdom over God's revealed will.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: This act of partial obedience was a pivotal moment leading to God's rejection of Saul as king (see 1 Samuel 15:23). It underscores the serious nature of disobedience in God's eyes.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "utterly destroy" in the KJV translates the Hebrew word ח֡ר֢ם (cherem). This term signifies a total consecration to God, often involving complete destruction without plunder, especially in the context of warfare against condemned nations. Saul's failure to execute the cherem fully was a direct affront to God's holiness and His specific instructions.

Practical Application

1 Samuel 15:9 serves as a profound warning that God values our obedience more than our sacrifices or our perceived good intentions. As the prophet Samuel later declared, "To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams". For believers today, this verse emphasizes the importance of following God's commands fully, without compromise, personal additions, or omissions. True faith is demonstrated through complete surrender to God's will, even when it seems counter-intuitive or costly.

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

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 15:15

    And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.

  • 1 Samuel 15:3

    Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.

  • 1 Samuel 15:19

    Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?

  • Joshua 7:21

    When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they [are] hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.

  • 2 Samuel 6:13

    And it was [so], that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.
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