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<!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 15:14 But Samuel replied, "Then what is this bleating of sheep and lowing of cattle that I hear?"</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/15-14.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/09_1Sa_15_14.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 15:14 - Samuel Denounces Saul" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But Samuel replied, Then what is this bleating of sheep and lowing of cattle that I hear?" /><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/15-14.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/15-14.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 14</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="/ad14.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/15-13.htm" title="1 Samuel 15:13">◄</a> 1 Samuel 15:14 <a href="/1_samuel/15-15.htm" title="1 Samuel 15:15">►</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 />But Samuel said, &#8220What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears? What is this lowing of cattle that I hear?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/15.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Then what is all the bleating of sheep and goats and the lowing of cattle I hear?” Samuel demanded.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/15.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears and the lowing of the oxen that I hear?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Samuel replied, “Then what is this bleating of sheep and lowing of cattle that I hear?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/15.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Samuel said, What <i>meaneth</i> then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/15.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />But Samuel said, “What then <i>is</i> this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the bellowing of the oxen which I hear?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/15.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />But Samuel said, &#8220What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />But Samuel said, “What then is this sound of the sheep in my ears and the sound of the oxen which I am hearing?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Samuel replied, “Then what is this sound of sheep, goats, and cattle I hear? ”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Samuel replied, &#8220Then what is this sound of sheep and cattle I hear?&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/15.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"Then why," Samuel asked, "do I hear sheep and cattle?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/15.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />However, Samuel asked, "But what is this sound of sheep in my ears and this sound of cows that I hear?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/15.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Samuel asked, "Why, then, do I hear cattle mooing and sheep bleating?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/15.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Samuel said, "Then what is this bleating of sheep in my ears and the lowing of cattle that I hear?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Samuel replied, ?Then what is this bleating of sheep and lowing of cattle that I hear??<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/15.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Samuel replied, "If that is the case, then what is this sound of sheep in my ears and the sound of cattle that I hear?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Samuel said, "Then what does this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the cattle which I hear mean?"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/15.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Samuel said, “Then what does this bleating of the sheep in my ears and the lowing of the cattle which I hear mean?” <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 Samuel says, “And what [is] the noise of this flock in my ears—and the noise of the herd which I am hearing?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Samuel saith, 'And what is the noise of this flock in mine ears -- and the noise of the herd which I am hearing?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Samuel will say, And what the voice of sheep in mine ear, and the voice of the oxen which I hear?<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 Samuel said: What meaneth then this bleating of the flocks, which soundeth in my ears, and the lowing of the herds, which I hear? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And Samuel said, “Then what is this voice of the flocks, which resounds in my ears, and of the herds, which I am hearing?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/15.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />But Samuel asked, “What, then, is this bleating of sheep that comes to my ears, the lowing of oxen that I hear?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />But Samuel said, “What then is this bleating of sheep in my ears, and the lowing of cattle that I hear?”<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 Samuel said, What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears and the lowing of the oxen that I hear?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/15.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Shemueil said to Shaul: “What is this sound of sheep in my ear and the sound of oxen I hear?”<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 Samuel said: 'What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/15.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Samuel said, What then <i>is</i> the bleating of this flock in my ears, and the sound of the oxen which I hear?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/15-14.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=4136" 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">Samuel Denounces Saul</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">13</span>When Samuel reached him, Saul said to him, “May the LORD bless you. I have carried out the LORD’s instructions.” <span class="reftext">14</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8050.htm" title="8050: šə·mū·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- Name of God, a prophet of Isr. From the passive participle of shama' and 'el; heard of God; Shemuel, the name of three Israelites.">But Samuel</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">replied,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: ū·meh (Conj-w:: Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">“Then what</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: haz·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">is this</a> <a href="/hebrew/241.htm" title="241: bə·’ā·zə·nāy (Prep-b:: N-fdc:: 1cs) -- An ear. From 'azan; broadness. I.e. the ear."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6963.htm" title="6963: qō·wl- (N-msc) -- Sound, voice. Or qol; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound.">bleating</a> <a href="/hebrew/6629.htm" title="6629: haṣ·ṣōn (Art:: N-cs) -- Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock. Or tsaown; from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock; also figuratively.">of sheep</a> <a href="/hebrew/6963.htm" title="6963: wə·qō·wl (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- Sound, voice. Or qol; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound.">and lowing</a> <a href="/hebrew/1241.htm" title="1241: hab·bā·qār (Art:: N-ms) -- Cattle, herd, an ox. From baqar; beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender; collectively, a herd.">of cattle</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/595.htm" title="595: ’ā·nō·ḵî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Sometimes; a primitive pro. I.">I</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šō·mê·a‘ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">hear?”</a> </span><span class="reftext">15</span>Saul answered, “The troops brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the LORD your God, but the rest we devoted to destruction.”…<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="/1_samuel/13-13.htm">1 Samuel 13:13-14</a></span><br />“You have acted foolishly,” Samuel declared. “You have not kept the command that the LORD your God gave you; if you had, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. / But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler over His people, because you have not kept the command of the LORD.”<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="/1_samuel/9-16.htm">1 Samuel 9:16</a></span><br />“At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you are to anoint him ruler over My people Israel; he will save them from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/10-8.htm">1 Samuel 10:8</a></span><br />And you shall go before me to Gilgal, and surely I will come to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. Wait seven days until I come to you and show you what you are to do.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/12-14.htm">1 Samuel 12:14-15</a></span><br />If you fear the LORD and serve Him and obey His voice, and if you do not rebel against the command of the LORD, and if both you and the king who rules over you follow the LORD your God, then all will be well. / But if you disobey the LORD and rebel against His command, then the hand of the LORD will be against you as it was against your fathers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/16-1.htm">1 Samuel 16:1</a></span><br />Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/28-17.htm">1 Samuel 28:17</a></span><br />He has done exactly what He spoke through me: The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor David.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/12-7.htm">2 Samuel 12:7-9</a></span><br />Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. / I gave your master’s house to you and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah, and if that was not enough, I would have given you even more. / Why then have you despised the command of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You put Uriah the Hittite to the sword and took his wife as your own. You have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a></span><br />For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-22.htm">Jeremiah 7:22-23</a></span><br />For when I brought your fathers out of the land of Egypt, I did not merely command them about burnt offerings and sacrifices, / but this is what I commanded them: Obey Me, and I will be your God, and you will be My people. You must walk in all the ways I have commanded you, so that it may go well with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Isaiah 1:11-15</a></span><br />“What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. / When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts? / Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-21.htm">Amos 5:21-23</a></span><br />“I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. / Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard. / Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/9-13.htm">Matthew 9:13</a></span><br />But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-7.htm">Matthew 12:7</a></span><br />If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/12-33.htm">Mark 12:33</a></span><br />and to love Him with all your heart and with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. This is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Samuel said, What means then this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?</p><p class="hdg">What meaneth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/36-2.htm">Psalm 36:2</a></b></br> For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/50-16.htm">Psalm 50:16-21</a></b></br> But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or <i>that</i> thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/2-18.htm">Jeremiah 2:18,19,22,23,34-37</a></b></br> And now what hast thou to do in the way of Egypt, to drink the waters of Sihor? or what hast thou to do in the way of Assyria, to drink the waters of the river? … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/15-9.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-11.htm">Crying</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-4.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-27.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-22.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-32.htm">Herd</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-12.htm">Lowing</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-14.htm">Meaneth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-45.htm">Means</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-20.htm">Noise</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-9.htm">Oxen</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-13.htm">Samuel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-9.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-14.htm">Sound</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/15-15.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-37.htm">Crying</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-23.htm">Ears</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-2.htm">Hear</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-11.htm">Hearing</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-15.htm">Herd</a> <a href="/1_samuel/6-12.htm">Lowing</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-7.htm">Meaneth</a> <a href="/2_samuel/14-14.htm">Means</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-40.htm">Noise</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-15.htm">Oxen</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-16.htm">Samuel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-15.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/2_samuel/5-24.htm">Sound</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>But Samuel replied</b><br>Samuel, the last judge and a prophet of Israel, plays a crucial role in guiding the nation during the transition from the period of judges to the monarchy. His reply indicates a confrontation with King Saul, highlighting his role as God's spokesperson. Samuel's authority is rooted in his divine calling, as seen in <a href="/1_samuel/3-19.htm">1 Samuel 3:19-21</a>, where God establishes him as a prophet.<p><b>Then what is this bleating of sheep and lowing of cattle that I hear?</b><br>This phrase reveals Saul's disobedience to God's command to completely destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions (<a href="/1_samuel/15-3.htm">1 Samuel 15:3</a>). The presence of livestock indicates Saul's failure to carry out God's instructions fully. The bleating and lowing serve as evidence of Saul's incomplete obedience, which is a recurring theme in Israel's history, as seen in the Israelites' repeated lapses into idolatry and disobedience. This moment foreshadows Saul's eventual rejection as king, as God desires obedience over sacrifice (<a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22-23</a>). The imagery of sheep and cattle also connects to sacrificial practices, emphasizing the importance of internal obedience over external rituals.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/samuel.htm">Samuel</a></b><br>A prophet and judge of Israel, Samuel was a key figure in the transition from the period of judges to the establishment of the monarchy. He anointed both Saul and David as kings of Israel.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a></b><br>The first king of Israel, Saul was chosen by God but later rejected due to his disobedience. His failure to fully obey God's command in the battle against the Amalekites is central to this passage.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/amalekites.htm">Amalekites</a></b><br>A nomadic tribe that was a longstanding enemy of Israel. God commanded Saul to completely destroy them as a form of divine judgment.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/gilgal.htm">Gilgal</a></b><br>A significant location in Israel's history, often associated with renewal and covenant. It is where Saul was confirmed as king and where this confrontation with Samuel takes place.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_battle_against_the_amalekites.htm">The Battle against the Amalekites</a></b><br>God commanded Saul to destroy the Amalekites completely, but Saul spared King Agag and the best of the livestock, leading to his rejection as king.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_complete_obedience.htm">The Importance of Complete Obedience</a></b><br>God’s commands are to be followed fully, not partially. Partial obedience is disobedience in God’s eyes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_rationalizing_disobedience.htm">The Danger of Rationalizing Disobedience</a></b><br>Saul attempted to justify his actions by claiming the spared livestock was for sacrifice. We must be wary of rationalizing our disobedience with seemingly good intentions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_accountability.htm">The Role of Accountability</a></b><br>Samuel’s confrontation with Saul highlights the importance of accountability in our spiritual walk. We need others to help us stay true to God’s commands.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>Saul’s failure to obey God’s command led to his rejection as king. Disobedience can have serious consequences in our lives and ministries.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/listening_to_god's_voice.htm">Listening to God’s Voice</a></b><br>Just as Samuel heard the bleating of sheep, we must be attentive to the signs of our own disobedience and be willing to correct our course.<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/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><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_1_chr_14_8-17_and_2_sam_5.htm">1 Chronicles 14:8-17 - How do we reconcile any discrepancies between this account of David's battles with the Philistines and the parallel text in 2 Samuel 5?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_evidence_supports_philistine_panic.htm">What natural or historical evidence supports the sudden 'panic' that supposedly afflicted the Philistine army (1 Samuel 14:15)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_1_samuel_14_battle_site.htm">Is there any archaeological or extra-biblical evidence confirming the battle site and the events described in 1 Samuel 14?</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>(14) <span class= "bld">What meaneth then this bleating? . . .</span>--"Saul is convicted of falsehood by the voices of the animals which he has spared, contrary to God's command. Samuel's mode of citing them against him by the question, 'What meaneth these voices?' has an air of holy humour and cutting irony."--<span class= "ital">Lange.</span><p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 14.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">What meaneth then this bleating?</span> etc. Literally, "What is this voice of sheep in my ears, and the voice of oxen?" While Saul's own conscience was silent they were proclaiming his disobedience. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/15-14.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">But Samuel</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁמוּאֵ֔ל</span> <span class="translit">(šə·mū·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8050.htm">Strong's 8050: </a> </span><span class="str2">Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">replied,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֣אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Then what</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמֶ֛ה</span> <span class="translit">(ū·meh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[is] this</span><br /><span class="heb">הַזֶּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(haz·zeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Pronoun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> </span><span class="str2">This, that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">bleating</span><br /><span class="heb">קֽוֹל־</span> <span class="translit">(qō·wl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6963.htm">Strong's 6963: </a> </span><span class="str2">A voice, sound</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of sheep</span><br /><span class="heb">הַצֹּ֥אן</span> <span class="translit">(haṣ·ṣōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6629.htm">Strong's 6629: </a> </span><span class="str2">Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and lowing</span><br /><span class="heb">וְק֣וֹל</span> <span class="translit">(wə·qō·wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6963.htm">Strong's 6963: </a> </span><span class="str2">A voice, sound</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of cattle</span><br /><span class="heb">הַבָּקָ֔ר</span> <span class="translit">(hab·bā·qār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1241.htm">Strong's 1241: </a> </span><span class="str2">Beef cattle, ox, a herd</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I</span><br /><span class="heb">אָנֹכִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·nō·ḵî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_595.htm">Strong's 595: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">hear?”</span><br /><span class="heb">שֹׁמֵֽעַ׃</span> <span class="translit">(šō·mê·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/15-14.htm">1 Samuel 15:14 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/15-14.htm">1 Samuel 15:14 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/15-14.htm">1 Samuel 15:14 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/15-14.htm">1 Samuel 15:14 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/15-14.htm">1 Samuel 15:14 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/15-14.htm">1 Samuel 15:14 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/15-14.htm">1 Samuel 15:14 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/15-14.htm">1 Samuel 15:14 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/15-14.htm">1 Samuel 15:14 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/15-14.htm">1 Samuel 15:14 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/15-14.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 15:14 Samuel said What means then this bleating (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/15-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 15:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 15:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/15-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 15:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 15:15" /></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>