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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 15:20 "But I did obey the LORD," Saul replied. "I went on the mission that the LORD gave me. I brought back Agag king of Amalek and devoted the Amalekites to destruction.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/15-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/09_1Sa_15_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 15:20 - Samuel Denounces Saul" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But I did obey the LORD, Saul replied. I went on the mission that the LORD gave me. I brought back Agag king of Amalek and devoted the Amalekites to destruction." /><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/15-20.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/15-20.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 20</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="/ad20.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/15-19.htm" title="1 Samuel 15:19">◄</a> 1 Samuel 15:20 <a href="/1_samuel/15-21.htm" title="1 Samuel 15:21">►</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">Verse<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"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/15.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220But I did obey the LORD,&#8221 Saul said. &#8220I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/15.htm">New Living Translation</a> “But I did obey the LORD,” Saul insisted. “I carried out the mission he gave me. I brought back King Agag, but I destroyed everyone else. <a href="/esv/1_samuel/15.htm">English Standard Version</a> And Saul said to Samuel, “I have obeyed the voice of the LORD. I have gone on the mission on which the LORD sent me. I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have devoted the Amalekites to destruction. <a href="/bsb/1_samuel/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “But I did obey the LORD,” Saul replied. “I went on the mission that the LORD gave me. I brought back Agag king of Amalek and devoted the Amalekites to destruction. <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/15.htm">King James Bible</a> And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. <a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/15.htm">New King James Version</a> And Saul said to Samuel, “But I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and gone on the mission on which the LORD sent me, and brought back Agag king of Amalek; I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. <a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Then Saul said to Samuel, “I did obey the voice of the LORD, for I went on the mission on which the LORD sent me; and I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have completely destroyed the Amalekites. <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/15.htm">NASB 1995</a> Then Saul said to Samuel, &#8220I did obey the voice of the LORD, and went on the mission on which the LORD sent me, and have brought back Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. <a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Then Saul said to Samuel, “I did obey the voice of the LORD, and went on the mission on which the LORD sent me, and have brought back Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. <a href="/lsb/1_samuel/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then Saul said to Samuel, “I did obey the voice of Yahweh and went on the way on which Yahweh sent me and have brought back Agag the king of Amalek and have devoted the Amalekites to destruction. <a href="/amp/1_samuel/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Saul said to Samuel, “I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone on the mission on which the LORD sent me, and have brought back Agag the king of Amalek, and have completely destroyed the Amalekites. <a href="/csb/1_samuel/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> “But I did obey the LORD! ” Saul answered. “I went on the mission the LORD gave me: I brought back King Agag of Amalek, and I completely destroyed the Amalekites. <a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> &#8220But I did obey the LORD!&#8221 Saul answered. &#8220I went on the mission the LORD gave me: I brought back Agag, king of Amalek, and I completely destroyed the Amalekites. <a href="/asv/1_samuel/15.htm">American Standard Version</a> And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of Jehovah, and have gone the way which Jehovah sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. <a href="/cev/1_samuel/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> "But I did listen to the LORD!" Saul answered. "He sent me on a mission, and I went. I captured King Agag and destroyed his nation. <a href="/erv/1_samuel/15.htm">English Revised Version</a> And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. <a href="/gwt/1_samuel/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "But I did obey the LORD," Saul told Samuel. "I went where the LORD sent me, brought [back] King Agag of Amalek, and claimed the Amalekites for God. <a href="/gnt/1_samuel/15.htm">Good News Translation</a> "I did obey the LORD," Saul replied. "I went out as he told me to, brought back King Agag, and killed all the Amalekites. <a href="/isv/1_samuel/15.htm">International Standard Version</a> Saul told Samuel, "I did obey the LORD. I went on the mission on which the LORD sent me, I brought Agag king of Amalek, and I completely destroyed the Amalekites. <a href="/msb/1_samuel/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?But I did obey the LORD,? Saul replied. ?I went on the mission that the LORD gave me. I brought back Agag king of Amalek and devoted the Amalekites to destruction. <a href="/net/1_samuel/15.htm">NET Bible</a> Then Saul said to Samuel, "But I have obeyed the LORD! I went on the campaign the LORD sent me on. I brought back King Agag of the Amalekites after exterminating the Amalekites. <a href="/nheb/1_samuel/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Saul said to Samuel, "But I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. <a href="/wbt/1_samuel/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And Saul said to Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. <a href="/web/1_samuel/15.htm">World English Bible</a> Saul said to Samuel, “But I have obeyed Yahweh’s voice, and have gone the way which Yahweh sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And Saul says to Samuel, “Because—I have listened to the voice of YHWH, and I go in the way which YHWH has sent me, and bring in Agag king of Amalek, and I have devoted Amalek; <a href="/ylt/1_samuel/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Saul saith unto Samuel, 'Because -- I have hearkened to the voice of Jehovah, and I go in the way which Jehovah hath sent me, and bring in Agag king of Amalek, and Amalek I have devoted; <a href="/slt/1_samuel/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Saul will say to Samuel, That I heard to the voice of Jehovah, and I will go in the way which Jehovah sent me, and I will bring Agag king of Amalek, and I utterly destroyed Amalek.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_samuel/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And Saul said to Samuel: Yea I have hearkened to the voice of the Lord, and have walked in the way by which the Lord sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalec, and Amalec I have slain. <a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And Saul said to Samuel: “On the contrary, I did listen to the voice of the Lord, and I walked in the way along which the Lord sent me, and I led back Agag, the king of Amalek, and I put to death Amalek. <a href="/nabre/1_samuel/15.htm">New American Bible</a> Saul explained to Samuel: “I did indeed obey the LORD and fulfill the mission on which the LORD sent me. I have brought back Agag, the king of Amalek, and, carrying out the ban, I have destroyed the Amalekites. <a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Saul said to Samuel, “I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, I have gone on the mission on which the LORD sent me, I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And Saul said to Samuel, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone on the mission on which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of the Amalekites, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. <a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/15.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And Shaul said to Shemueil: “I have listened to the voice of LORD JEHOVAH, and I went in the way that he sent me, and I brought Agag, King of Amaleq, and the Amalekites I have destroyed<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_samuel/15.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And Saul said unto Samuel: 'Yea, I have hearkened to the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. <a href="/sep/1_samuel/15.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Saul said to Samuel, Because I listened to the voice of the people: yet I went the way by which the Lord sent me, and I brought Agag the king of Amalec, and I destroyed Amalec. <a href="/parallel/1_samuel/15-20.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=4194" 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">Samuel Denounces Saul</a> …19So why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you rush upon the plunder and do evil in the sight of the LORD?” 20<a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šā·ma‘·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">“But I did obey</a> <a href="/hebrew/6963.htm" title="6963: bə·qō·wl (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Sound, voice. Or qol; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD,”</a> <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/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <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."></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."></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/1980.htm" title="1980: wā·’ê·lêḵ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-1cs) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">“I went</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: bad·de·reḵ (Prep-b, Art:: N-cs) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">on the mission</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/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: šə·lā·ḥa·nî (V-Qal-Perf-3ms:: 1cs) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">gave me.</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: wā·’ā·ḇî (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-1cs) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">I brought back</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/90.htm" title="90: ’ă·ḡaḡ (N-proper-ms) -- King of Amalek. Or uagag; of uncertain derivation; flame; Agag, a title of Amalekitish kings.">Agag</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: me·leḵ (N-msc) -- King. From malak; a king.">king</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/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2763.htm" title="2763: he·ḥĕ·ram·tî (V-Hifil-Perf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to seclude; specifically to devote to religious uses; physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose.">and devoted</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.">the Amalekites to destruction.</a> 21The troops took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of the things devoted to destruction, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal.”…<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="/1_samuel/13-13.htm">1 Samuel 13:13-14</a> “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.” <a href="/1_samuel/28-18.htm">1 Samuel 28:18</a> Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out His burning anger against Amalek, the LORD has done this to you today. <a href="/1_samuel/9-16.htm">1 Samuel 9:16</a> “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.” <a href="/1_samuel/10-8.htm">1 Samuel 10:8</a> 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.” <a href="/1_samuel/12-14.htm">1 Samuel 12:14-15</a> 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. <a href="/1_samuel/14-32.htm">1 Samuel 14:32-35</a> So they rushed greedily to the plunder, taking sheep, cattle, and calves. They slaughtered them on the ground and ate meat with the blood still in it. / Then someone reported to Saul: “Look, the troops are sinning against the LORD by eating meat with the blood still in it.” “You have broken faith,” said Saul. “Roll a large stone over here at once.” / Then he said, “Go among the troops and tell them, ‘Each man must bring me his ox or his sheep, slaughter them in this place, and then eat. Do not sin against the LORD by eating meat with the blood still in it.’” So that night everyone brought his ox and slaughtered it there. ... <a href="/1_samuel/16-1.htm">1 Samuel 16:1</a> 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.” <a href="/1_samuel/28-17.htm">1 Samuel 28:17</a> 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. <a href="/2_samuel/12-7.htm">2 Samuel 12:7-9</a> 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. <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="/jeremiah/7-22.htm">Jeremiah 7:22-23</a> 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. <a href="/isaiah/1-11.htm">Isaiah 1:11-17</a> “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. ... <a href="/amos/5-21.htm">Amos 5:21-24</a> “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. ... <a href="/matthew/7-21.htm">Matthew 7:21-23</a> Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. / Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ / Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’ <a href="/matthew/15-8.htm">Matthew 15:8-9</a> ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. / They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And Saul said to Samuel, Yes, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.Yea<a href="/1_samuel/15-13.htm">1 Samuel 15:13</a> And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD.<a href="/job/33-9.htm">Job 33:9</a> I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.<a href="/job/34-5.htm">Job 34:5</a> For Job hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my judgment.have brought<a href="/1_samuel/15-3.htm">1 Samuel 15:3,8</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… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/15-9.htm">Agag</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-15.htm">Amalek</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-5.htm">Am'alek</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-18.htm">Amalekites</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-18.htm">Amal'ekites</a> <a href="/joshua/24-4.htm">Assigned</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-15.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-30.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-19.htm">Hearkened</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-43.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-18.htm">Mission</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-19.htm">Obey</a> <a href="/judges/6-10.htm">Obeyed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-19.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-17.htm">Samuel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-16.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-18.htm">Utterly</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-19.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-7.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/15-32.htm">Agag</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-32.htm">Amalek</a> <a href="/1_samuel/28-18.htm">Am'alek</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-32.htm">Amalekites</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-32.htm">Amal'ekites</a> <a href="/1_samuel/27-5.htm">Assigned</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-21.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-21.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-24.htm">Hearkened</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-24.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/psalms/78-49.htm">Mission</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">Obey</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-24.htm">Obeyed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">Samuel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-24.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-21.htm">Utterly</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">Voice</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-27.htm">Way</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'; </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>But I did obey the LORD, Saul's claim of obedience is a central issue in this passage. The biblical context reveals that God had given Saul a clear command through the prophet Samuel to completely destroy the Amalekites (<a href="/1_samuel/15-3.htm">1 Samuel 15:3</a>). Saul's assertion of obedience is contradicted by his actions, highlighting a common theme in Scripture where outward compliance is mistaken for true obedience (<a href="/1_samuel/15-22.htm">1 Samuel 15:22</a>). This phrase also reflects the human tendency to justify partial obedience as full compliance, a theme seen throughout the Bible.Saul replied. Saul's response to Samuel is defensive, indicating his awareness of having not fully complied with God's command. This interaction between Saul and Samuel is significant as it marks a turning point in Saul's reign. The historical context shows that Saul's kingship was initially marked by divine favor, but his repeated disobedience led to his rejection by God (<a href="/1_samuel/15-26.htm">1 Samuel 15:26</a>).I went on the mission that the LORD gave me. Saul acknowledges that the mission was divinely appointed, which underscores the gravity of his partial obedience. The mission against the Amalekites was not merely a military campaign but a divine judgment against a people who had long opposed Israel (<a href="/exodus/17-8.htm">Exodus 17:8-16</a>). This mission was a continuation of God's promise to blot out the memory of Amalek, showing the fulfillment of divine prophecy.I brought back Agag king of Amalek Saul's decision to spare Agag is a direct violation of God's command. In the cultural and historical context, sparing a king could be seen as a political move to gain favor or as a trophy of war. However, in the biblical narrative, it represents Saul's failure to fully execute God's judgment. This act of disobedience foreshadows the eventual downfall of Saul's kingship and contrasts with the complete obedience expected of a king in Israel.and devoted the Amalekites to destruction. The term "devoted to destruction" refers to the Hebrew concept of "herem," which means to completely destroy as an offering to God. This was a common practice in ancient Israel when dealing with certain enemies, signifying total consecration to God. Saul's incomplete obedience in this regard is significant because it demonstrates a failure to honor God's holiness and justice. This concept is echoed in other biblical narratives where incomplete obedience leads to negative consequences (<a href="/joshua/7.htm">Joshua 7:1-26</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. In this passage, Saul is defending his actions to Samuel, claiming obedience to God's command. 2. <a href="/topical/s/samuel.htm">Samuel</a> A prophet and judge of Israel who anointed Saul as king. He is the one delivering God's message of judgment to Saul for his disobedience. 3. <a href="/topical/a/agag.htm">Agag</a> The king of the Amalekites, whom Saul spared despite God's command to destroy all the Amalekites. 4. <a href="/topical/a/amalekites.htm">Amalekites</a> A nomadic tribe that was a longstanding enemy of Israel. God commanded their complete destruction due to their opposition to Israel. 5. <a href="/topical/g/gilgal.htm">Gilgal</a> The location where Saul and Samuel are having this conversation. It is a significant place in Israel's history, often associated with renewal and covenant.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/o/obedience_over_sacrifice.htm">Obedience Over Sacrifice</a> True obedience to God involves complete adherence to His commands, not partial compliance or rationalization of disobedience. <a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_self-deception.htm">The Danger of Self-Deception</a> Saul's claim of obedience reveals how easily we can deceive ourselves into believing we are following God when we are not. <a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_disobedience.htm">Consequences of Disobedience</a> Saul's failure to fully obey God led to his rejection as king, illustrating the serious consequences of disobedience. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_godly_leadership.htm">The Importance of Godly Leadership</a> Leaders are held to a high standard of obedience and integrity, as their actions have significant impacts on those they lead. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_accountability.htm">Repentance and Accountability</a> When confronted with sin, genuine repentance and accountability are necessary for restoration with God.<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/what_good_things_should_you_cling_to.htm">Who was Agag in the Bible's narrative?</a> <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 href="/q/why_do_1_sam_31_4-5_and_2_sam_1_10_differ.htm">How can 1 Samuel 31:4-5 claim Saul died by falling on his own sword if 2 Samuel 1:10 says an Amalekite killed him?</a> <a href="/q/who_killed_saul__himself_or_amalekite.htm">Who killed Saul? Saul took his own sword and fell upon it.... Thus Saul died... (I Samuel 31:4-6) An Amalekite slew him (2 Samuel 1:1- 16)</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>(20) Yea, I have obeyed . . .--These and the words which follow are simply a repetition of the king's former excuse for his act: but they show us what was the state of Saul's mind: he evidently disbelieved in the power of the Eternal as a heart reader. If he could justify himself before Samuel, that was all he cared for. He asserted his own integrity of purpose and his great zeal for the public sacrifice to God, knowing all the while that low earthly reasons had been the springs of his conduct. He reiterated the plea that what he had done was in accordance with the voice of the people, conscious all the while that the plea was false.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 20, 21. - Saul's justifcation of himself is remarkable, as he seems entirely unconscious of having done anything wrong. His education had no doubt been defective (<a href="/1_samuel/10-12.htm">1 Samuel 10:12</a>), and his knowledge of the law was probably very small; but he must have listened to Samuel's injunctions in a very off hand way, and have troubled himself about very little more than that he was to make war upon the Amalekites. There may even have been the wish in his mind to let Samuel know that he was now king, and would carry on affairs after his own fashion. The very form of his answer requires notice; for the word rendered yea is literally in that, or because, and may be paraphrased as follows: Do you reproach me thus because I have obeyed you? See, there is Agag in proof of our victory; and if the people have spared the cattle, it was with the best of intentions. The next clause, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, reads in the A.V. like an ironical parenthesis. It is not so, but an important part of Saul's defence. These sheep and oxen were "the best of the devoted things," selected as the first fruits for sacrifice. Saul may not have known that such a sacrifice was forbidden (<a href="/deuteronomy/13-15.htm">Deuteronomy 13:15-17</a>). The words, to sacrifice unto Jehovah thy God, imply that Samuel ought to be pleased at the victorious army doing this public homage to the Deity whose prophet he was. It was virtually a compliment to himself, and is very much in accordance with the notions of the generality of people now, who consider that attendance at a place of worship, or sending their children to school, is a favour to the clergyman. <a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/15-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>“But I did obey שָׁמַ֙עְתִּי֙ (šā·ma‘·tî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> To hear intelligently the LORD,” יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel Saul שָׁא֜וּל (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 replied. וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say “I went וָאֵלֵ֕ךְ (wā·’ê·lêḵ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> To go, come, walk on the mission בַּדֶּ֖רֶךְ (bad·de·reḵ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> A road, a course of life, mode of action that אֲשֶׁר־ (’ă·šer-) Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that the LORD יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel gave me. שְׁלָחַ֣נִי (šə·lā·ḥa·nî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> To send away, for, out I brought back וָאָבִ֗יא (wā·’ā·ḇî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go Agag אֲגַג֙ (’ă·ḡaḡ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_90.htm">Strong's 90: </a> Agag -- king of Amalek king מֶ֣לֶךְ (me·leḵ) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king of Amalek עֲמָלֵ֔ק (‘ă·mā·lêq) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6002.htm">Strong's 6002: </a> Amalek -- a descendant of Esau, also his posterity and utterly destroyed הֶחֱרַֽמְתִּי׃ (he·ḥĕ·ram·tî) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2763.htm">Strong's 2763: </a> To seclude, to devote to religious uses, to be blunt as to the nose the Amalekites. עֲמָלֵ֖ק (‘ă·mā·lêq) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6002.htm">Strong's 6002: </a> Amalek -- a descendant of Esau, also his posterity <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/15-20.htm">1 Samuel 15:20 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/15-20.htm">1 Samuel 15:20 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_samuel/15-20.htm">1 Samuel 15:20 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/15-20.htm">1 Samuel 15:20 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/15-20.htm">1 Samuel 15:20 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/15-20.htm">1 Samuel 15:20 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/15-20.htm">1 Samuel 15:20 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/15-20.htm">1 Samuel 15:20 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/15-20.htm">1 Samuel 15:20 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_samuel/15-20.htm">1 Samuel 15:20 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-20.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 15:20 Saul said to Samuel Yes I have (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/15-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 15:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 15:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/15-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 15:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 15:21" /></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>