CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Samuel 15:5 Saul came to the city of Amalek and lay in wait in the valley.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/15-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/09_1Sa_15_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 15:5 - Saul's Disobedience" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Saul came to the city of Amalek and lay in wait in the valley." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_samuel/15-5.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_samuel/15-5.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_samuel/">1 Samuel</a> > <a href="/1_samuel/15.htm">Chapter 15</a> > Verse 5</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad5.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_samuel/15-4.htm" title="1 Samuel 15:4">◄</a> 1 Samuel 15:5 <a href="/1_samuel/15-6.htm" title="1 Samuel 15:6">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/15.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/15.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Saul went to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the ravine.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/15.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then Saul and his army went to a town of the Amalekites and lay in wait in the valley.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/15.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And Saul came to the city of Amalek and lay in wait in the valley.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Saul came to the city of Amalek and lay in wait in the valley.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/15.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/15.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and lay in wait in the valley.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And Saul came to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the wadi.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/15.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Saul came to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the valley.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Saul came to the city of Amalek, and set an ambush in the valley.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Saul came to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the valley.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Saul came to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the valley.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Saul came to the city of Amalek and set up an ambush in the wadi.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Saul came to the city of Amalek and set up an ambush in the wadi. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/15.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Saul came to the city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />then led them to a valley near one of the towns in Amalek, where they got ready to make a surprise attack. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/15.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Saul came to the city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Saul went to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the valley.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/15.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then he and his men went to the city of Amalek and waited in ambush in a dry riverbed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/15.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Saul came to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the valley. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Saul came to the city of Amalek and lay in wait in the valley.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/15.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Saul proceeded to the city of Amalek, where he set an ambush in the wadi.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Saul came to the city of Amalek, and lay in wait in the valley.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/15.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Saul came to the city of Amalek, and set an ambush in the valley. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Saul comes to a city of Amalek, and lays wait in a valley;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Saul cometh in unto a city of Amalek, and layeth wait in a valley;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Saul will come even to a city of Amalek, and he will lie in wait by the torrent.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And when Saul was come to the city of Amalec, he laid ambushes in the torrent. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And when Saul had arrived as far as the city of Amalek, he placed ambushes at the torrent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/15.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Saul went to the city of Amalek and set up an ambush in the wadi.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Saul came to the city of the Amalekites and lay in wait in the valley.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Saul came to a city of the Amalekites, and issued a directive in the valley.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/15.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Shaul came unto the city of Amaleq and he pronounced judgment in the valley<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/15.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Saul came to the city of Amalek, and lay in wait in the valley.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/15.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Saul came to the cities of Amalec, and laid wait in the valley.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/15-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=4040" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/15.htm">Saul's Disobedience</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>So Saul summoned the troops and numbered them at Telaim—200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men of Judah. <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7586.htm" title="7586: šā·’ūl (N-proper-ms) -- Passive participle of sha'al; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites.">Saul</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: way·yā·ḇō (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">came</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: ‘aḏ- (Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: ‘îr (N-fsc) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">the city</a> <a href="/hebrew/6002.htm" title="6002: ‘ă·mā·lêq (N-proper-ms) -- A desc. of Esau, also his posterity. Probably of foreign origin; Amalek, a descendant of Esau; also his posterity and their country.">of Amalek</a> <a href="/hebrew/693.htm" title="693: way·yā·reḇ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To lie in wait. A primitive root; to lurk.">and lay in wait</a> <a href="/hebrew/5158.htm" title="5158: ban·nā·ḥal (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Or nachlah; or nachalah; from nachal in its original sense; a stream, especially a winter torrent; a valley; also a shaft.">in the valley.</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>And he warned the Kenites, “Since you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt, go on and get away from the Amalekites. Otherwise I will sweep you away with them.” So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/17-8.htm">Exodus 17:8-16</a></span><br />After this, the Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. / So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on the hilltop with the staff of God in my hand.” / Joshua did as Moses had instructed him and fought against the Amalekites, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/25-17.htm">Deuteronomy 25:17-19</a></span><br />Remember what the Amalekites did to you along your way from Egypt, / how they met you on your journey when you were tired and weary, and they attacked all your stragglers; they had no fear of God. / When the LORD your God gives you rest from the enemies around you in the land that He is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you are to blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/6-3.htm">Judges 6:3-5</a></span><br />Whenever the Israelites planted their crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and other people of the east would come up and invade them, / encamping against them as far as Gaza and destroying the produce of the land. They left Israel with no sustenance, neither sheep nor oxen nor donkeys. / For the Midianites came with their livestock and their tents like a great swarm of locusts. They and their camels were innumerable, and they entered the land to ravage it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/24-20.htm">Numbers 24:20</a></span><br />Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying: “Amalek was first among the nations, but his end is destruction.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/14-48.htm">1 Samuel 14:48</a></span><br />He fought valiantly and defeated the Amalekites, delivering Israel from the hands of its plunderers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/28-18.htm">1 Samuel 28:18</a></span><br />Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out His burning anger against Amalek, the LORD has done this to you today.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/8-12.htm">2 Samuel 8:12</a></span><br />from Edom and Moab, from the Ammonites and Philistines and Amalekites, and from the spoil of Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/3-1.htm">Esther 3:1</a></span><br />After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him to a position above all the princes who were with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/83-4.htm">Psalm 83:4-7</a></span><br />saying, “Come, let us erase them as a nation; may the name of Israel be remembered no more.” / For with one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against You— / the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/63-1.htm">Isaiah 63:1-6</a></span><br />Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.” / Why are Your clothes red, and Your garments like one who treads the winepress? / “I have trodden the winepress alone, and no one from the nations was with Me. I trampled them in My anger and trod them down in My fury; their blood spattered My garments, and all My clothes were stained. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/25-12.htm">Ezekiel 25:12-14</a></span><br />This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because Edom acted vengefully against the house of Judah, and in so doing incurred grievous guilt, / therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will stretch out My hand against Edom and cut off from it both man and beast. I will make it a wasteland, and from Teman to Dedan they will fall by the sword. / I will take My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel, and they will deal with Edom according to My anger and wrath. Then they will know My vengeance, declares the Lord GOD.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/obadiah/1-10.htm">Obadiah 1:10-14</a></span><br />Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame and cut off forever. / On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gate and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were just like one of them. / But you should not gloat in that day, your brother’s day of misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast proudly in the day of their distress. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-14.htm">Matthew 10:14-15</a></span><br />And if anyone will not welcome you or heed your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. / Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-20.htm">Matthew 11:20-24</a></span><br />Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. / “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. / But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-10.htm">Luke 10:10-12</a></span><br />But if you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go into the streets and declare, / ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off as a testimony against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.’ / I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley.</p><p class="hdg">laid wait.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/15-3.htm">Amalek</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-3.htm">Am'alek</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-3.htm">Amalekites</a> <a href="/judges/20-38.htm">Ambush</a> <a href="/1_samuel/10-5.htm">City</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-2.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-1.htm">Position</a> <a href="/joshua/19-11.htm">Ravine</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-4.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/ruth/3-7.htm">Secretly</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-18.htm">Valley</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-2.htm">Wait</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/15-7.htm">Amalek</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-20.htm">Am'alek</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-6.htm">Amalekites</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-13.htm">Ambush</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-4.htm">City</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-27.htm">Laid</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-1.htm">Position</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-3.htm">Ravine</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-6.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-22.htm">Secretly</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-2.htm">Valley</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-16.htm">Wait</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 15</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/15-1.htm">Samuel sends Saul to destroy Amalek</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/15-6.htm">Saul favors the Kenites</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/15-7.htm">He spares Agag and the best of the spoil</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/15-10.htm">Samuel denounces unto Saul God's rejection of him for his disobedience</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/15-24.htm">Saul's humiliation</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/15-32.htm">Samuel kills Agag</a></span><br><span class="reftext">34. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/15-34.htm">Samuel and Saul part</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/15.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/15.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Saul came to the city of Amalek</b><br>This phrase marks the beginning of Saul's military campaign against the Amalekites, a nomadic tribe that had been a longstanding enemy of Israel. The Amalekites first attacked the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt (<a href="/exodus/17-8.htm">Exodus 17:8-16</a>), and God commanded their destruction as a consequence. The city of Amalek likely refers to a central location or stronghold of the Amalekite people, though its exact location is not known today. This campaign was a direct command from God through the prophet Samuel (<a href="/1_samuel/15.htm">1 Samuel 15:1-3</a>), emphasizing the importance of obedience to divine instructions.<p><b>and lay in wait in the valley.</b><br>The strategy of laying in wait suggests a tactical approach to warfare, possibly to surprise the Amalekites or to prepare for a strategic advantage. Valleys in ancient warfare often served as places for ambushes or as staging grounds for battle. This tactic reflects the military practices of the time, where terrain played a crucial role in the success of military operations. The valley could symbolize a place of decision and judgment, aligning with the biblical theme of God’s judgment against the Amalekites for their past transgressions against Israel. Saul's actions here set the stage for the subsequent events where his failure to fully obey God's command leads to his rejection as king (<a href="/1_samuel/15-10.htm">1 Samuel 15:10-23</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a></b><br>The first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. Saul's reign is marked by his initial obedience to God, followed by a series of disobediences that ultimately lead to his rejection by God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/c/city_of_amalek.htm">City of Amalek</a></b><br>The Amalekites were a nomadic tribe and longstanding enemies of Israel. God commanded Saul to completely destroy them as a form of divine judgment for their past actions against Israel.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/v/valley.htm">Valley</a></b><br>The specific valley is not named, but it serves as a strategic location for Saul to prepare his attack against the Amalekites.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/a/amalekites.htm">Amalekites</a></b><br>A people descended from Esau, known for their hostility towards Israel. They represent opposition to God's people and purposes.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/d/divine_command.htm">Divine Command</a></b><br>The event is set in the context of God's command to Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites, which Saul ultimately fails to fully obey.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">Obedience to God's Commands</a></b><br>Saul's preparation for battle highlights the importance of following God's instructions fully. Partial obedience is disobedience in God's eyes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>Saul's failure to completely destroy the Amalekites leads to his rejection as king. This teaches us that disobedience can have long-lasting consequences.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_justice.htm">God's Sovereignty and Justice</a></b><br>The command to destroy the Amalekites reflects God's sovereign justice. It reminds us that God is just and will judge sin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_warfare.htm">Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>The Amalekites symbolize spiritual opposition. Believers are called to be vigilant and prepared to stand against spiritual enemies.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 15</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_good_things_should_you_cling_to.htm">Who was Agag in the Bible's narrative?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_king_david_deceive_and_kill.htm">Why does King David, described elsewhere as righteous (1 Kings 15:5), resort to deceit and murder in 2 Samuel 11:14-17?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/proof_of_amalek's_erasure.htm">Deuteronomy 25:17-19: Where is the archaeological or historical proof of Amalek's complete destruction and erasure from memory?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_amalekites_reappear_in_1_sam_30.htm">If Saul reportedly destroyed the Amalekites earlier (1 Samuel 15), why do they reappear here in 1 Samuel 30?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/15.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) <span class= "bld">A city of Amalek.</span>--Better rendered, <span class= "ital">The city of Amalek</span>: no doubt, their principal place of arms.<p><span class= "bld">And laid wait in the valley.</span>--Better, in a torrent bed, then dry (Arabic, "Wady"). There is a strange tradition in the Talmud that Saul's mind misgave him when he came to this "torrent bed;" thus he called to mind the command of <a href="/deuteronomy/21-4.htm" title="And the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer to a rough valley, which is neither eared nor sown, and shall strike off the heifer's neck there in the valley:">Deuteronomy 21:4</a> to slay an heifer at a torrent in expiation of a murder, and determined not to carry out the stern charge of Samuel, but to spare rather than to slay.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">A city of Amalek.</span> More probably <span class="accented">Ir-Amalek</span>, the name of their one town. <span class="cmt_word">Laid wait.</span> Many commentators follow the Syriac in rendering this verb <span class="accented">contended, strove</span>; others, like the A.V., with the Septuagint and Vulgate, regard it as a contracted form of a verb signifying <span class="accented">to lay an ambuscade.</span> It is not, however, a <span class="cmt_word">valley</span>, but a "torrent bed," which was more fit for an ambush than for a strife or dispute. Rashi explains the verb as signifying "contended with himself," and quotes from the Talmud an opinion that when Saul reached the torrent he called to mind the command in <a href="/deuteronomy/21-4.htm">Deuteronomy 21:4</a>, to slay a heifer at a torrent in expiation of a murder, and had misgivings whether a slaughter so indiscriminate as that on which he was engaged could be justified. The law of the Herem was soon softened down, but we find David in several of his wars guilty of fearful cruelty. The translation of the A.V. is the more probable. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/15-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Saul</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁא֖וּל</span> <span class="translit">(šā·’ūl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7586.htm">Strong's 7586: </a> </span><span class="str2">Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">came</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּבֹ֥א</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·ḇō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">עַד־</span> <span class="translit">(‘aḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> </span><span class="str2">As far as, even to, up to, until, while</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the city</span><br /><span class="heb">עִ֣יר</span> <span class="translit">(‘îr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Amalek</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲמָלֵ֑ק</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·mā·lêq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6002.htm">Strong's 6002: </a> </span><span class="str2">Amalek -- a descendant of Esau, also his posterity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and lay in wait</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּ֖רֶב</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·reḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7378.htm">Strong's 7378: </a> </span><span class="str2">To toss, grapple, to wrangle, controversy, to defend</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the valley.</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּנָּֽחַל׃</span> <span class="translit">(ban·nā·ḥal)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5158.htm">Strong's 5158: </a> </span><span class="str2">A stream, a winter torrent, a, valley, a shaft</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/15-5.htm">1 Samuel 15:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/15-5.htm">1 Samuel 15:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/15-5.htm">1 Samuel 15:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/15-5.htm">1 Samuel 15:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/15-5.htm">1 Samuel 15:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/15-5.htm">1 Samuel 15:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/15-5.htm">1 Samuel 15:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/15-5.htm">1 Samuel 15:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/15-5.htm">1 Samuel 15:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/15-5.htm">1 Samuel 15:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/15-5.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 15:5 Saul came to the city of Amalek (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/15-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 15:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 15:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/15-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 15:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 15:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>