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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 15:9 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/15-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/09_1Sa_15_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 15:9 - Saul's Disobedience" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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. 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These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed. <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/15.htm">New Living Translation</a> Saul and his men spared Agag’s life and kept the best of the sheep and goats, the cattle, the fat calves, and the lambs—everything, in fact, that appealed to them. They destroyed only what was worthless or of poor quality. <a href="/esv/1_samuel/15.htm">English Standard Version</a> But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fattened calves and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them. All that was despised and worthless they devoted to destruction. <a href="/bsb/1_samuel/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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 devote them to destruction, but they devoted to destruction all that was despised and worthless. <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/15.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/15.htm">New King James Version</a> But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were unwilling to utterly destroy them. But everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed. <a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the more valuable animals, the lambs, and everything that was good, and were unwilling to destroy them completely; but everything despicable and weak, that they completely destroyed. <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/15.htm">NASB 1995</a> But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were not willing to destroy them utterly; but everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed. <a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a> But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and were not willing to destroy them utterly; but everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed. <a href="/lsb/1_samuel/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good, and they were not willing to devote them to destruction; but everything despised and worthless, that they utterly destroyed. <a href="/amp/1_samuel/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and everything that was good, and they were not willing to destroy them entirely; but everything that was undesirable or worthless they destroyed completely. <a href="/csb/1_samuel/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Saul and the troops spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and choice animals, as well as the young rams and the best of everything else. They were not willing to destroy them, but they did destroy all the worthless and unwanted things. <a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Saul and the troops spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, cattle, and choice animals, as well as the young rams and the best of everything else. They were not willing to destroy them, but they did destroy all the worthless and unwanted things. <a href="/asv/1_samuel/15.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/cev/1_samuel/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Saul and his army let Agag live, and they also spared the best sheep and cattle. They didn't want to destroy anything of value, so they only killed the animals that were worthless or weak. <a href="/erv/1_samuel/15.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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. <a href="/gwt/1_samuel/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Saul and the army spared Agag and the best sheep and cows, the fattened animals, the lambs, and all the best [property]. The army refused to claim them for God by destroying them. But everything that was worthless and weak the army did claim for God and destroy. <a href="/gnt/1_samuel/15.htm">Good News Translation</a> But Saul and his men spared Agag's life and did not kill the best sheep and cattle, the best calves and lambs, or anything else that was good; they destroyed only what was useless or worthless. <a href="/isv/1_samuel/15.htm">International Standard Version</a> Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle—the fattened animals and lambs—along with all that was good. They were not willing to completely destroy them, but they did completely destroy everything that was worthless and inferior. <a href="/msb/1_samuel/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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 devote them to destruction, but they devoted to destruction all that was despised and worthless. <a href="/net/1_samuel/15.htm">NET Bible</a> However, Saul and the army spared Agag, along with the best of the flock, the cattle, the fatlings, and the lambs, as well as everything else that was of value. They were not willing to slaughter them. But they did slaughter everything that was despised and worthless. <a href="/nheb/1_samuel/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and the cattle, and the fat ones and the lambs, and all that was good, and wouldn't utterly destroy them; but everything that was despised and rejected, that they utterly destroyed. <a href="/wbt/1_samuel/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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. <a href="/web/1_samuel/15.htm">World English Bible</a> But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep, of the cattle, of the fat calves, of the lambs, and all that was good, and were not willing to utterly destroy them; but everything that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and Saul has pity—also the people—on Agag, and on the best of the flock, and of the herd, and of the seconds, and on the lambs, and on all that [is] good, and have not been willing to devote them; and all the work, despised and wasted—it they devoted. <a href="/ylt/1_samuel/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and Saul hath pity -- also the people -- on Agag, and on the best of the flock, and of the herd, and of the seconds, and on the lambs, and on all that is good, and have not been willing to devote them; and all the work, despised and wasted -- it they devoted. <a href="/slt/1_samuel/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Saul and the people will have pity upon Agag, and upon the good of the sheep, and the oxen and the double, and upon the lambs and upon all the good, and they were not willing to exterminate them: and every work despised and wasting away, they exterminated it.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_samuel/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the flocks of sheep and of the herds, and the garments and the rams, and all that was beautiful, and would not destroy them: but every thing that was vile and good for nothing, that they destroyed. <a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the flocks of sheep, and of the herds, and the garments, and the rams, and all that was beautiful, and they were not willing to destroy them. Yet truly, whatever was vile or worthless, these they demolished. <a href="/nabre/1_samuel/15.htm">New American Bible</a> He and his troops spared Agag and the best of the fat sheep and oxen, and the lambs. They refused to put under the ban anything that was worthwhile, destroying only what was worthless and of no account. <a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep and of the cattle and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was valuable, and would not utterly destroy them; all that was despised and worthless they utterly destroyed.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But Saul and the people spared King Agag and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fatlings and the stall-fed beasts and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them; but everything that was vile and despised in their sight, that they destroyed utterly. <a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/15.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And Shaul and the people had pity on Agag the King and upon the best of the sheep and of the bulls and that which is fat and of fatlings and upon all the good, and they did not choose to destroy them, and everything that was despised and rejected in their eyes, they destroyed it<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_samuel/15.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, even the young of the second birth, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them; but every thing that was of no account and feeble, that they destroyed utterly. <a href="/sep/1_samuel/15.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Saul and all the people saved Agag alive, and the best of the flocks, and of the herds, and of the fruits, of the vineyards, and of all the good things; and they would not destroy them: but every worthless and refuse thing they destroyed. <a href="/parallel/1_samuel/15-9.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=4078" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/15.htm">Saul's Disobedience</a> …8He captured Agag king of Amalek alive, but devoted all the others to destruction with the sword. 9<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/5971.htm" title="5971: wə·hā·‘ām (Conj-w, Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">and his troops</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2550.htm" title="2550: way·yaḥ·mōl (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To spare. A primitive root; to commiserate; by implication, to spare.">spared</a> <a href="/hebrew/90.htm" title="90: ’ă·ḡāḡ (N-proper-ms) -- King of Amalek. Or uagag; of uncertain derivation; flame; Agag, a title of Amalekitish kings.">Agag,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: wə·‘al- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">along with</a> <a href="/hebrew/4315.htm" title="4315: mê·ṭaḇ (N-msc) -- The best. From yatab; the best part.">the best</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 the sheep</a> <a href="/hebrew/1241.htm" title="1241: wə·hab·bā·qār (Conj-w, Art:: N-ms) -- Cattle, herd, an ox. From baqar; beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender; collectively, a herd.">and cattle,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4932.htm" title="4932: wə·ham·miš·nîm (Conj-w, Art:: N-mp) -- A double, copy, second. From shanah; properly, a repetition, i.e. A duplicate, or a double; by implication, a second.">the fat calves</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: wə·‘al- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/3733.htm" title="3733: hak·kā·rîm (Art:: N-mp) -- From karar in the sense of plumpness; a ram, including a battering-ram; hence, a meadow; also a pad or camel's saddle.">lambs,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: wə·‘al- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: haṭ·ṭō·wḇ (Art:: N-ms) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">the best</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">of everything else.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles."></a> <a href="/hebrew/14.htm" title="14: ’ā·ḇū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- To be willing, to consent. A primitive root; to breathe after, i.e. to be acquiescent.">They were unwilling</a> <a href="/hebrew/2763.htm" title="2763: ha·ḥă·rî·mām (V-Hifil-Inf:: 3mp) -- A primitive root; to seclude; specifically to devote to religious uses; physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose.">to destroy them,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2763.htm" title="2763: he·ḥĕ·rî·mū (V-Hifil-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to seclude; specifically to devote to religious uses; physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose.">but they devoted to destruction</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: wə·ḵāl (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/4399.htm" title="4399: ham·mə·lā·ḵāh (Art:: N-fs) -- From the same as mal'ak; properly, deputyship, i.e. Ministry; generally, employment or work; also property."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5240.htm" title="5240: nə·miḇ·zāh (N-fs) -- Despised. From bazah, despised.">that was despised</a> <a href="/hebrew/4549.htm" title="4549: wə·nā·mês (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To dissolve, melt. A primitive root; to liquefy; figuratively, to waste, to faint.">and worthless.</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’ō·ṯāh (DirObjM:: 3fs) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/genesis/3-6.htm">Genesis 3:6</a> When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it. <a href="/joshua/7-1.htm">Joshua 7:1</a> The Israelites, however, acted unfaithfully regarding the things devoted to destruction. Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was set apart. So the anger of the LORD burned against the Israelites. <a href="/1_kings/20-32.htm">1 Kings 20:32-34</a> So with sackcloth around their waists and ropes around their heads, they went to the king of Israel and said, “Your servant Ben-hadad says, ‘Please spare my life.’” And the king answered, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.” / Now the men were looking for a sign of hope, and they quickly grasped at this word and replied, “Yes, your brother Ben-hadad.” “Go and get him!” said the king. Then Ben-hadad came out, and Ahab had him come up into his chariot. / Ben-hadad said to him, “I will restore the cities my father took from your father; you may set up your own marketplaces in Damascus, as my father did in Samaria.” “By this treaty I release you,” Ahab replied. So he made a treaty with him and sent him away. <a href="/2_kings/10-29.htm">2 Kings 10:29-31</a> but he did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit—the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan. / Nevertheless, the LORD said to Jehu, “Because you have done well in carrying out what is right in My sight and have done to the house of Ahab all that was in My heart, four generations of your sons will sit on the throne of Israel.” / Yet Jehu was not careful to follow the instruction of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit. <a href="/psalms/106-34.htm">Psalm 106:34-36</a> They did not destroy the peoples as the LORD had commanded them, / but they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs. / They worshiped their idols, which became a snare to them. <a href="/isaiah/30-1.htm">Isaiah 30:1</a> “Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out a plan that is not Mine, who form an alliance, but against My will, heaping up sin upon sin. <a href="/jeremiah/7-23.htm">Jeremiah 7:23-24</a> 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. / Yet they did not listen or incline their ear, but they followed the stubborn inclinations of their own evil hearts. They went backward and not forward. <a href="/hosea/6-6.htm">Hosea 6:6</a> For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. <a href="/amos/2-4.htm">Amos 2:4</a> This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Judah, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they reject the Law of the LORD and fail to keep His statutes; they are led astray by the lies in which their fathers walked. <a href="/malachi/1-8.htm">Malachi 1:8</a> When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is it not wrong? And when you present the lame and sick ones, is it not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you or show you favor?” asks the LORD of Hosts. <a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23</a> Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. <a href="/mark/7-9.htm">Mark 7:9</a> He went on to say, “You neatly set aside the command of God to maintain your own tradition. <a href="/luke/6-46.htm">Luke 6:46</a> Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but do not do what I say? <a href="/john/14-15.htm">John 14:15</a> If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. <a href="/acts/5-1.htm">Acts 5:1-11</a> Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. / With his wife’s full knowledge, he kept back some of the proceeds for himself, but brought a portion and laid it at the apostles’ feet. / Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land? ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatted calves, 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.the best<a href="/1_samuel/15-3.htm">1 Samuel 15:3,15,19</a> 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… <a href="/joshua/7-21.htm">Joshua 7:21</a> 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.the fatlings.<a href="/2_samuel/6-13.htm">2 Samuel 6:13</a> And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/14-43.htm">Account</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-8.htm">Agag</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-40.htm">Best</a> <a href="/1_samuel/4-20.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-32.htm">Calves</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-3.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/judges/1-28.htm">Completely</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-3.htm">Curse</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-3.htm">Death</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-37.htm">Desiring</a> <a href="/1_samuel/10-27.htm">Despised</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-6.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-8.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-52.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-14.htm">Lambs</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-32.htm">Oxen</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-19.htm">Refuse</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-7.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-2.htm">Second</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-3.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-33.htm">Spared</a> <a href="/judges/19-10.htm">Unwilling</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-8.htm">Utterly</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-13.htm">Vile</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-2.htm">Weak</a> <a href="/judges/19-25.htm">Wouldn't</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-32.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/17-32.htm">Account</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-20.htm">Agag</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-15.htm">Best</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-5.htm">Birth</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-9.htm">Calves</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-14.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-18.htm">Completely</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-18.htm">Curse</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-32.htm">Death</a> <a href="/2_samuel/5-19.htm">Desiring</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-42.htm">Despised</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-18.htm">Destroy</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-15.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-15.htm">Kept</a> <a href="/2_kings/3-4.htm">Lambs</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-14.htm">Oxen</a> <a href="/1_kings/2-16.htm">Refuse</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-11.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-13.htm">Second</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-14.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-15.htm">Spared</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-10.htm">Unwilling</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-15.htm">Utterly</a> <a href="/2_samuel/6-22.htm">Vile</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-1.htm">Weak</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-9.htm">Wouldn't</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-2.htm">Young</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 15</div>1. <a href="/1_samuel/15-1.htm">Samuel sends Saul to destroy Amalek</a> 6. <a href="/1_samuel/15-6.htm">Saul favors the Kenites</a> 7. <a href="/1_samuel/15-7.htm">He spares Agag and the best of the spoil</a> 10. <a href="/1_samuel/15-10.htm">Samuel denounces unto Saul God's rejection of him for his disobedience</a> 24. <a href="/1_samuel/15-24.htm">Saul's humiliation</a> 32. <a href="/1_samuel/15-32.htm">Samuel kills Agag</a> 34. <a href="/1_samuel/15-34.htm">Samuel and Saul part</a> </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'; 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This act of sparing Agag is significant because it demonstrates Saul's failure to fully execute God's judgment. Historically, the Amalekites were long-standing enemies of Israel, and God's command was a form of divine justice for their past transgressions against His people (<a href="/exodus/17-8.htm">Exodus 17:8-16</a>). The sparing of Agag symbolizes incomplete obedience, which is a recurring theme in Saul's reign.along with the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs, and the best of everything else. Saul and his troops' decision to keep the best livestock and goods reflects a common ancient Near Eastern practice of taking spoils of war. However, this was in direct violation of God's command to destroy everything (<a href="/1_samuel/15-3.htm">1 Samuel 15:3</a>). The choice to keep the best items suggests a prioritization of material wealth and personal gain over obedience to God. This act contrasts with the later example of Jesus Christ, who prioritized spiritual obedience over earthly gain (<a href="/matthew/4-8.htm">Matthew 4:8-10</a>).They were unwilling to devote them to destruction, The unwillingness to destroy the valuable items indicates a heart issue, where Saul and his men valued material possessions over God's explicit instructions. This reflects a broader biblical theme of the struggle between human desires and divine commands. The Hebrew term "herem," often translated as "devote to destruction," implies a complete consecration to God, leaving no room for personal benefit. This failure foreshadows Saul's eventual rejection as king (<a href="/1_samuel/15-23.htm">1 Samuel 15:23</a>).but they devoted to destruction all that was despised and worthless. By destroying only what was considered despised and worthless, Saul and his troops demonstrated selective obedience. This act highlights a superficial compliance with God's command, focusing on outward actions rather than the heart's intent. The destruction of the worthless items serves as a metaphor for the futility of half-hearted obedience. This selective destruction contrasts with the total sacrifice and obedience exemplified by Christ, who gave His life wholly for humanity (<a href="/philippians/2-8.htm">Philippians 2:8</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a> The first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. Saul's disobedience in this chapter marks a significant turning point in his reign. 2. <a href="/topical/a/agag.htm">Agag</a> The king of the Amalekites, whom Saul was commanded to destroy completely as part of God's judgment against the Amalekites. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_amalekites.htm">The Amalekites</a> A nomadic tribe that was a longstanding enemy of Israel. God commanded their destruction due to their opposition to Israel during the Exodus. 4. <a href="/topical/s/samuel.htm">Samuel</a> The prophet who anointed Saul and later confronted him about his disobedience to God's command. 5. <a href="/topical/g/gilgal.htm">Gilgal</a> The place where Saul was supposed to wait for Samuel and where he was later confronted by Samuel for his disobedience.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_complete_obedience.htm">The Importance of Complete Obedience</a> Partial obedience is disobedience. Saul's failure to fully carry out God's command demonstrates the importance of complete obedience to God's instructions. <a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a> Disobedience to God can lead to severe consequences, as seen in Saul's eventual rejection as king. This serves as a warning to take God's commands seriously. <a href="/topical/t/the_deceptiveness_of_self-justification.htm">The Deceptiveness of Self-Justification</a> Saul justified his actions by claiming he spared the best for sacrifice. This highlights the danger of rationalizing disobedience and the need for honest self-examination. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_and_justice.htm">God's Sovereignty and Justice</a> God's command to destroy the Amalekites was an act of divine justice. Understanding God's sovereignty helps us trust His judgments, even when they are difficult to comprehend. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leadership_and_accountability.htm">The Role of Leadership and Accountability</a> Leaders are held to a high standard of obedience and accountability. Saul's failure reminds us of the responsibility that comes with leadership.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 15</a> <a href="/q/any_evidence_of_amalekites'_destruction.htm">Are there any historical or archaeological records supporting the total destruction of the Amalekites described in 1 Samuel 15?</a> <a href="/q/what_good_things_should_you_cling_to.htm">Who was Agag in the Bible's narrative?</a> <a href="/q/what_foods_are_mentioned_in_the_bible.htm">What foods are mentioned in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/how_do_1_sam_31_and_1_chr_10_align.htm">How does 1 Samuel 31’s account of Saul’s death align with 1 Chronicles 10:13–14, which portrays his demise as divine judgment?</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>(9) And he took Agag . . . alive.--Agag seems to have been for the sovereigns of Amalek the official title, like Pharaoh in the case of the kings of Egypt, and Abimelech among certain of the Philistine peoples. The meaning of the term Agag is unknown.Utterly destroyed all the people.--That is to say, Ir-Amalek was sacked, and the nation generally broken up; but many, no doubt, escaped into the desert, for we hear of the people again on several occasions in this book. In <a href="/1_chronicles/4-43.htm" title="And they smote the rest of the Amalekites that were escaped, and dwelled there to this day.">1Chronicles 4:43</a> their complete, and probably final, annihilation is recorded.(9) Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen.--It would seem that Saul carried out the awful curse to the letter (with the exception that he spared the king) in the case of the human beings and the less valuable of their beasts. But covetousness seems to have suggested the preservation of the choicest cattle, and pride probably induced the Hebrew king to save Agag alive, that he might show the people his royal captive.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 9. - The fatlings. So the Syriac and Chaldee render the word, but the Hebrew literally means "the second best." Kimchi and Tanchum give perhaps a preferable rendering, "the second born," such animals being considered superior to the first born, as the dams had by that time arrived at their full strength. REJECTION OF SAUL AND HIS DYNASTY (vers. 10-23). <a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/15-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>Saul שָׁא֨וּל (šā·’ūl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7586.htm">Strong's 7586: </a> Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites and his troops וְהָעָ֜ם (wə·hā·‘ām) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock spared וַיַּחְמֹל֩ (way·yaḥ·mōl) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2550.htm">Strong's 2550: </a> To commiserate, to spare Agag, אֲגָ֗ג (’ă·ḡāḡ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_90.htm">Strong's 90: </a> Agag -- king of Amalek along with וְעַל־ (wə·‘al-) Conjunctive waw | Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against the best מֵיטַ֣ב (mê·ṭaḇ) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4315.htm">Strong's 4315: </a> The best part of the sheep הַצֹּאן֩ (haṣ·ṣōn) Article | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6629.htm">Strong's 6629: </a> Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock and cattle, וְהַבָּקָ֨ר (wə·hab·bā·qār) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1241.htm">Strong's 1241: </a> Beef cattle, ox, a herd the fat calves וְהַמִּשְׁנִ֤ים (wə·ham·miš·nîm) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4932.htm">Strong's 4932: </a> A repetition, a duplicate, a double, a second and וְעַל־ (wə·‘al-) Conjunctive waw | Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against lambs, הַכָּרִים֙ (hak·kā·rîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3733.htm">Strong's 3733: </a> A ram, a, battering-ram, a meadow, a pad, camel's saddle and וְעַל־ (wə·‘al-) Conjunctive waw | Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against the best הַטּ֔וֹב (haṭ·ṭō·wḇ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> Pleasant, agreeable, good of everything else. כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every They were unwilling אָב֖וּ (’ā·ḇū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_14.htm">Strong's 14: </a> To breathe after, to be acquiescent to destroy them, הַחֲרִימָ֑ם (ha·ḥă·rî·mām) Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2763.htm">Strong's 2763: </a> To seclude, to devote to religious uses, to be blunt as to the nose but they utterly destroyed הֶחֱרִֽימוּ׃ (he·ḥĕ·rî·mū) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2763.htm">Strong's 2763: </a> To seclude, to devote to religious uses, to be blunt as to the nose all וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> The whole, all, any, every that was despised נְמִבְזָ֥ה (nə·miḇ·zāh) Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_959.htm">Strong's 959: </a> To disesteem and worthless. וְנָמֵ֖ס (wə·nā·mês) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4549.htm">Strong's 4549: </a> To liquefy, to waste, to faint <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/15-9.htm">1 Samuel 15:9 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/15-9.htm">1 Samuel 15:9 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_samuel/15-9.htm">1 Samuel 15:9 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/15-9.htm">1 Samuel 15:9 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/15-9.htm">1 Samuel 15:9 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/15-9.htm">1 Samuel 15:9 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/15-9.htm">1 Samuel 15:9 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/15-9.htm">1 Samuel 15:9 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/15-9.htm">1 Samuel 15:9 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_samuel/15-9.htm">1 Samuel 15:9 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-9.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 15:9 But Saul and the people spared Agag (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/15-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 15:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 15:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/15-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 15:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 15:10" /></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>