1 Samuel 15:9

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 15:9 records King Saul's pivotal act of disobedience during his divinely ordained campaign against the Amalekites, where he and the Israelite people deliberately chose to defy God's explicit command for a complete and utter destruction of the enemy and their possessions. Instead of executing the *cherem* (ban) fully, they spared King Agag and the finest of the livestock and goods, destroying only what they deemed worthless. This selective obedience, driven by human desire for spoil or glory, represented a profound rebellion against the Lord's absolute authority and revealed Saul's unfitness for kingship, setting the stage for his ultimate rejection.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is central to the narrative of Saul's downfall, immediately following God's clear and severe command delivered through Samuel in [1 Samuel 15:2-3](/1_samuel/15-2 "1 Samuel 15:2-3 - God's Command to Destroy Amalek"). The preceding verses detail Samuel's prophetic message, outlining the specific parameters of the *cherem* against Amalek, leaving no room for ambiguity. Saul's subsequent actions, as described in [1 Samuel 15:7-8](/1_samuel/15-7 "1 Samuel 15:7-8 - Saul's Initial Victory"), show a partial victory, but reveals the critical failure to fully obey. The immediate aftermath, from [1 Samuel 15:10](/1_samuel/15-10 "1 Samuel 15:10 - God's Regret Over Saul") onward, details God's deep sorrow and decision to reject Saul as king, culminating in the famous declaration in [1 Samuel 15:22-23](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22-23 - Obedience Better Than Sacrifice"). This verse, therefore, acts as the hinge point, demonstrating the specific nature of Saul's rebellion that leads to his divine repudiation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The command to destroy the Amalekites (the *cherem*) was rooted in their ancient and unprovoked attack on Israel during their exodus from Egypt, as recorded in [Exodus 17:8-16](/exodus/17-8 "Exodus 17:8-16 - Amalek Attacks Israel at Rephidim"). God had sworn to utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek, a decree reiterated in [Deuteronomy 25:17-19](/deuteronomy/25-17 "Deuteronomy 25:17-19 - Remember Amalek"). This was not mere tribal warfare but a divine judgment against a people who had consistently opposed God's chosen nation and His redemptive purposes. The *cherem* was a practice in ancient Near Eastern warfare where spoils of war, or even entire populations, were dedicated to a deity, often through destruction, to prevent defilement or to acknowledge divine ownership. For Israel, it was a test of their absolute loyalty to Yahweh, demonstrating that their battles were His, and their victories were not for personal gain but for His glory. Saul's failure to adhere to this sacred ban thus represented a serious breach of covenant fidelity.

* **Key Themes:** [1 Samuel 15](/1_samuel/15 "1 Samuel 15 - Saul's Disobedience and Rejection") is rich with profound theological themes. The most prominent is the absolute necessity of **complete obedience** to God's revealed will, contrasting sharply with Saul's partial and self-serving adherence. This highlights that "partial obedience is disobedience" in God's eyes, as He demands the heart's full surrender, not just outward compliance. Another crucial theme is the **sovereignty of God** versus **human autonomy**, where Saul's decision to spare the "good" livestock and Agag demonstrates a preference for human reasoning and perceived benefit over divine wisdom and command. This chapter also powerfully illustrates the **consequences of disobedience**, showing how a single act of rebellion can have far-reaching implications, leading to God's rejection of Saul as king, a pivotal moment in Israel's history that paved the way for David's anointing. Finally, the narrative underscores the **nature of true worship**, emphasizing that genuine devotion is expressed through obedience rather than through ritualistic sacrifices offered from ill-gotten gains, as famously articulated in [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Spared (Hebrew, _ḥāmal'_):** This verb means "to pity," "to have compassion," or "to spare." In this context, it denotes a deliberate act of withholding destruction, contrary to the divine command. It implies a human choice to show mercy or preserve something for personal gain, directly overriding God's specific instructions for utter destruction.
* **Utterly destroy (Hebrew, _ḥāram'_):** This is the root of the noun *cherem* (חֵרֶם), which signifies "devotion to destruction," "ban," or "holy war." It refers to the complete consecration of something to God, often by destroying it, particularly in the context of nations under divine judgment. Saul's failure to *ḥāram* everything meant he did not fully dedicate the spoils and people to God as commanded, treating them instead as common plunder or personal assets.
* **Vile and refuse (Hebrew, _nābaḥ_ and _māʾas_):** The KJV translates these two distinct Hebrew terms. *Nābaḥ* (נָבַח) implies something "despicable" or "worthless," while *māʾas* (מָאַס) means "rejected," "despised," or "refused." Together, they vividly describe the lowest quality, the dregs, or what was considered utterly worthless. This starkly contrasts with "all that was good" and highlights Saul's selective obedience, keeping only what was valuable and destroying only what held no perceived worth to him or the people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"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:"** This opening clause immediately highlights the direct violation of God's command. The inclusion of "Saul and the people" suggests a shared culpability, though Saul, as king, bears ultimate responsibility for leading this disobedience. The specific listing of "Agag" (the Amalekite king) and various categories of prime livestock ("best of the sheep," "oxen," "fatlings," "lambs") underscores the deliberate nature of their choice. They did not merely overlook a few items but intentionally preserved the most valuable assets and the enemy king, likely for a triumphant display, personal gain, or sacrificial offerings, all of which were explicitly forbidden under the *cherem*. The phrase "would not utterly destroy them" directly contradicts the divine mandate, revealing a conscious act of rebellion.
* **"but every thing [that was] vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly."** This contrasting clause further emphasizes the partial and self-serving nature of their obedience. They did indeed "utterly destroy" some things, but only what was deemed "vile and refuse"—that is, worthless, despised, or of no practical use or value. This selective destruction exposes the hypocrisy of their actions. They fulfilled the letter of the law only where it cost them nothing, demonstrating a fundamental misunderstanding or disregard for the spirit of God's command, which demanded total devotion and renunciation of self-interest in the execution of His judgment.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its critical message. **Juxtaposition** is central, contrasting what Saul and the people "spared" (the best, the valuable, the king) with what they "destroyed utterly" (the vile, the refuse, the worthless). This stark contrast immediately highlights their selective and self-serving obedience. The detailed **enumeration** of the spared livestock ("sheep," "oxen," "fatlings," "lambs") emphasizes the extent of their covetousness and the deliberate nature of their transgression, leaving no ambiguity about what was preserved. The repetition of the concept of "utterly destroy" (or its negation) further underscores the divine command that was violated. Furthermore, the narrative functions as a form of **foreshadowing**, as this act of disobedience directly sets the stage for God's subsequent rejection of Saul as king, making this verse a pivotal turning point in the unfolding drama of the early monarchy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of obedience and the character of God. It underscores that God demands complete and unreserved obedience, not partial compliance based on human discretion or perceived benefit. Saul's failure reveals a fundamental flaw in his understanding of kingship: he saw himself as autonomous, able to modify divine commands, rather than as a steward fully subject to God's authority. This act of disobedience is not merely a minor transgression but a deep-seated rebellion, prioritizing personal gain and human glory over the divine will. It teaches us that true faith is demonstrated not by what we offer to God from our own choosing, but by our willingness to surrender entirely to His specific instructions, even when they seem counter-intuitive or costly. God's holiness and His right to absolute sovereignty are paramount, and any compromise with His command is seen as an affront to His character.

* [1 Samuel 15:22-23](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22-23 - Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice")
* [Deuteronomy 13:16-18](/deuteronomy/13-16 "Deuteronomy 13:16-18 - The Law of the Devoted Thing")
* [Matthew 7:21](/matthew/7-21 "Matthew 7:21 - Not Everyone Who Says 'Lord, Lord'")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Saul's disobedience in 1 Samuel 15:9 offers timeless and challenging lessons for believers today. It forces us to confront the subtle dangers of partial obedience, where we may fulfill some of God's commands while selectively ignoring others that are inconvenient, costly, or simply do not align with our personal desires or perceived wisdom. Like Saul, we can rationalize our actions, perhaps believing we have a "better" way or that our motives (like offering sacrifices from the spoils) justify our deviation from God's clear instructions. This verse calls us to a radical self-examination, prompting us to ask where we might be holding back from God, sparing aspects of our lives, our resources, or our ambitions that He has called us to "utterly destroy" or surrender. It reminds us that God desires our whole heart and our complete submission, not just our outward religious performance or a portion of our lives. True spiritual maturity is marked by a willingness to obey God fully, even when it means sacrificing our own preferences, comfort, or perceived advantage, trusting that His ways are always higher and ultimately for our good and His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be practicing "partial obedience," sparing what I deem "good" or valuable instead of surrendering it completely to God's will?**
* **How do I rationalize my disobedience, and what "good intentions" or perceived benefits do I use to justify not fully following God's commands?**
* **What does this passage teach me about the true nature of worship, and how can I ensure my obedience is a genuine expression of devotion rather than a calculated act?**
* **Considering the severe consequences for Saul, what is the spiritual cost of my own unaddressed areas of disobedience?**

### FAQ
**Why was God's command to "utterly destroy" so absolute and seemingly harsh?**

Answer: God's command to "utterly destroy" (the *cherem*) was a specific divine judgment against the Amalekites, rooted in their historical and persistent wickedness. They were the first nation to attack Israel after their exodus from Egypt, striking the weak and weary at the rear ([Exodus 17:8-16](/exodus/17-8 "Exodus 17:8-16 - Amalek Attacks Israel at Rephidim")). This act was seen as an assault on God Himself and His redemptive plan for His people. Furthermore, Amalek later became a symbol of persistent opposition to God's people throughout Israel's history. The *cherem* was not a general command for all warfare but a unique, divinely ordained act of judgment, similar to the destruction of Jericho ([Joshua 6:17-21](/joshua/6-17 "Joshua 6:17-21 - The Destruction of Jericho")). It served to demonstrate God's absolute sovereignty, His righteous judgment against sin, and to prevent Israel from being corrupted by the pagan practices and idolatry of the condemned nations. It was a test of Israel's complete devotion to Yahweh, ensuring they understood that the victory and the spoils belonged to Him alone.

**Did Saul's actions truly warrant such a severe consequence as losing his kingship?**

Answer: Yes, in the context of biblical kingship and covenant, Saul's disobedience was profoundly serious. His failure to "utterly destroy" the Amalekites and their possessions was not a minor oversight but a direct act of rebellion against God's explicit command. As the first king of Israel, Saul was meant to represent God's authority and lead the people in complete obedience. His actions demonstrated a lack of trust in God's wisdom, a preference for his own will or the people's desires over God's, and a fundamental misunderstanding of his role as God's anointed. Samuel explicitly states in [1 Samuel 15:23](/1_samuel/15-23 "1 Samuel 15:23 - Rebellion is Like Witchcraft") that "rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry." This indicates that Saul's disobedience was not just a mistake but a profound spiritual rebellion, akin to idolatry, which directly challenged God's supreme authority. Such a challenge from the king was intolerable for the theocratic nation of Israel and necessitated his rejection.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Samuel 15:9 highlights Saul's profound failure in obedience, it ultimately points forward to the perfect obedience of Jesus Christ, the true King of Israel. Saul's selective destruction and preservation of the "good" revealed his self-interest and compromised kingship, but Christ perfectly executed the Father's will, even to the point of death on the cross. Where Saul failed to utterly destroy the enemies of God and their corrupting influence, Jesus, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), utterly destroyed the power of sin and death through His sacrifice, fulfilling the ultimate *cherem* against the spiritual enemies of humanity ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus Destroys the Power of Death")). Saul's desire for human glory and spoil contrasts sharply with Christ's self-emptying humility ([Philippians 2:5-8](/philippians/2-5 "Philippians 2:5-8 - Christ's Humility")). Moreover, the judgment executed upon Amalek foreshadows the final, complete judgment that Christ will bring upon all unrighteousness at His second coming ([Revelation 19:11-16](/revelation/19-11 "Revelation 19:11-16 - The Rider on the White Horse")). Unlike Saul, who was rejected for his disobedience, Jesus is the perfectly obedient Son, whose submission to the Father's will, even in suffering, secured our salvation and established His eternal kingdom, where He reigns supreme, having perfectly accomplished all that the Father commanded ([John 6:38](/john/6-38 "John 6:38 - Jesus Does the Father's Will")). He is the King who truly "utterly destroys" all that is vile and refuse in the spiritual realm, making all things new.

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 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.