1 Samuel 28:18

Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day.

Because {H834} thou obeyedst {H8085} not the voice {H6963} of the LORD {H3068}, nor executedst {H6213} his fierce {H2740} wrath {H639} upon Amalek {H6002}, therefore hath the LORD {H3068} done {H6213} this thing {H1697} unto thee this day {H3117}.

because you didn't obey what ADONAI said and execute his furious anger toward 'Amalek. That's why ADONAI is doing this to you today.

Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out His burning anger against Amalek, the LORD has done this to you today.

Because thou obeyedst not the voice of Jehovah, and didst not execute his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath Jehovah done this thing unto thee this day.

Commentary

1 Samuel 28:18 delivers a stark and direct rebuke to King Saul from the spirit of Samuel, explaining the divine judgment that has fallen upon him. This verse encapsulates the tragic culmination of Saul's disobedience and his ultimate rejection by God as king of Israel.

Context

This verse occurs during a desperate moment for King Saul. Having been abandoned by the Lord and facing a formidable Philistine army, Saul sought guidance from a medium at Endor, forbidden by God's law. Through this illicit act, the spirit of Samuel (or an entity appearing as Samuel) confronts Saul. The core reason for Saul's predicament, as stated here, is his failure to fully obey God's command regarding the Amalekites. Specifically, Saul had spared King Agag and the best of the livestock, contrary to God's explicit instruction to utterly destroy them as an act of divine judgment (1 Samuel 15:9). This rebellion led to Samuel's previous declaration that God had rejected Saul as king (1 Samuel 15:23). Now, the consequences of that long-standing disobedience are coming to pass, with Saul's impending defeat and death at the hands of the Philistines.

Key Themes

  • Consequences of Disobedience: The verse powerfully illustrates that sin, particularly direct defiance of God's commands, carries severe and inevitable consequences. Saul's downfall is directly linked to his failure to obey.
  • Divine Judgment: It highlights God's justice and His commitment to upholding His word. The "thing" done to Saul is presented as a direct act of the Lord's judgment.
  • The Seriousness of God's Commands: God's instructions are not suggestions but mandates, and partial obedience is still disobedience in His eyes. This echoes Samuel's famous declaration that "to obey is better than sacrifice" (1 Samuel 15:22).
  • God's Sovereignty: Even in a moment of despair and illicit consultation, God's sovereign will and prophetic word are shown to be unfolding precisely as declared.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrasing "obeyedst not the voice of the LORD" emphasizes a direct, personal, and willful refusal to heed God's expressed will. It's not merely a failure but an active act of not obeying. "Executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek" underscores that the command was a specific divine mandate of judgment against the Amalekites, a people who had historically opposed Israel and God's purposes (e.g., Exodus 17:16). The phrase "therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day" clearly establishes a cause-and-effect relationship, leaving no ambiguity about the source and reason for Saul's impending doom.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Samuel 28:18 serves as a potent reminder of the importance of complete and heartfelt obedience to God. It warns against:

  • Partial Obedience: It's not enough to do most of what God asks; true obedience involves fulfilling His commands entirely.
  • Rationalizing Disobedience: Saul had reasons for sparing Amalek's livestock (for sacrifice), but God prioritized obedience over human reasoning or even religious ritual.
  • The Weight of God's Word: God's commands are serious, and there are spiritual consequences for persistent rebellion.

Reflection

Saul's tragic end, as summarized in this verse, highlights the profound truth that God's kingdom operates on principles of obedience and faithfulness. While God is merciful and forgiving, there are also boundaries and consequences for persistent rebellion against His clear commands. This account urges us to examine our own lives for areas where we might be partially obeying or rationalizing disobedience, encouraging a renewed commitment to loving God through full obedience to His word.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

Cross-References

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 1 Samuel 15:20

    And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.

  • Psalms 50:21

    These [things] hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether [such an one] as thyself: [but] I will reprove thee, and set [them] in order before thine eyes.

  • Psalms 50:22

    Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear [you] in pieces, and [there be] none to deliver.

  • 1 Samuel 15:23

    For rebellion [is as] the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness [is as] iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from [being] king.

  • 1 Samuel 15:26

    And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.
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