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id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_samuel/15-7.htm" title="1 Samuel 15:7">◄</a> 1 Samuel 15:8 <a href="/1_samuel/15-9.htm" title="1 Samuel 15:9">►</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="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </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 />He took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and all his people he totally destroyed with the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/15.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />He captured Agag, the Amalekite king, but completely destroyed everyone else.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/15.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive and devoted to destruction all the people with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />He captured Agag king of Amalek alive, but devoted all the others to destruction with the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/15.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/15.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />He also took Agag king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />He captured Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and completely destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/15.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />He captured Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And he captured Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And he seized Agag the king of the Amalekites alive and devoted to destruction all the people with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />He captured Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, though he totally destroyed all [the rest of] the people with the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He captured King Agag of Amalek alive, but he completely destroyed all the rest of the people with the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />He captured Agag king of Amalek alive, but he completely destroyed all the rest of the people with the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/15.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Every Amalekite was killed except King Agag. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/15.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />He captured King Agag of Amalek alive. But he claimed all the people for God by destroying them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/15.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />he captured King Agag of Amalek alive and killed all the people. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/15.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />He captured alive Agag king of Amalek, but he completely destroyed all the people, executing them with swords. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />He captured Agag king of Amalek alive, but devoted all the others to destruction with the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/15.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />He captured King Agag of the Amalekites alive, but he executed all Agag's people with the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />He took Agag the king of Amalek alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/15.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />He took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. <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 he catches Agag king of Amalek alive, and he has devoted all the people by the mouth of the sword;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and he catcheth Agag king of Amalek alive, and all the people he hath devoted by the mouth of the sword;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he will seize Agag, king of Amalek, living, and be exterminated all the people with the mouth of the sword.<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 he took Agag the king of Amalec alive: but all the common people he slew with the edge of the sword. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And he apprehended Agag, the king of Amalek, alive. But all the common people he put to death with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/15.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />He took Agag, king of Amalek, alive, but the rest of the people he destroyed by the sword, putting them under the ban.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />He took King Agag of the Amalekites alive, but utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.<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 he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/15.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he seized Agag, King of Amaleq, when he was alive, and he destroyed all the people with the mouth of the sword<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 he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/15.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he took Agag the king of Amalec alive, and he slew all the people and Hierim with the edge of the sword.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/15-8.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=4070" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/15.htm">Saul's Disobedience</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">7</span>Then Saul struck down the Amalekites all the way from Havilah to Shur, which is east of Egypt. <span class="reftext">8</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8610.htm" title="8610: way·yiṯ·pōś (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to manipulate, i.e. Seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably.">He captured</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/2416.htm" title="2416: ḥāy (Adj-ms) -- Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life. From chayah; alive; hence, raw; fresh, strong; also life, whether literally or figuratively.">alive,</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·rîm (V-Hifil-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to seclude; specifically to devote to religious uses; physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose.">but devoted</a> <a href="/hebrew/6310.htm" title="6310: lə·p̄î- (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- Mouth. From pa'ah; the mouth, whether literal or figurative; specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially according to."></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.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">the others to destruction</a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: ḥā·reḇ (N-fs) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement.">with the sword.</a> </span><span class="reftext">9</span>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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/17-14.htm">Exodus 17:14-16</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this on a scroll as a reminder and recite it to Joshua, because I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” / And Moses built an altar and named it The LORD Is My Banner. / “Indeed,” he said, “a hand was lifted up toward the throne of the LORD. The LORD will war against Amalek from generation to generation.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/25-17.htm">Deuteronomy 25:17-19</a></span><br />Remember what the Amalekites did to you along your way from Egypt, / how they met you on your journey when you were tired and weary, and they attacked all your stragglers; they had no fear of God. / When the LORD your God gives you rest from the enemies around you in the land that He is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you are to blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/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/30-1.htm">1 Samuel 30:1-2</a></span><br />On the third day David and his men arrived in Ziklag, and the Amalekites had raided the Negev, attacked Ziklag, and burned it down. / They had taken captive the women and all who were there, both young and old. They had not killed anyone, but had carried them off as they went on their way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/1-8.htm">2 Samuel 1:8-10</a></span><br />‘Who are you?’ he asked. So I told him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’ / Then he begged me, ‘Stand over me and kill me, for agony has seized me, but my life still lingers.’ / So I stood over him and killed him, because I knew that after he had fallen he could not survive. And I took the crown that was on his head and the band that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/3-1.htm">Esther 3:1</a></span><br />After these events, King Xerxes honored Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, elevating him to a position above all the princes who were with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/esther/9-24.htm">Esther 9:24-25</a></span><br />For Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, the enemy of all the Jews, had plotted against the Jews to destroy them and had cast the Pur (that is, the lot) to crush and destroy them. / But when it came before the king, he commanded by letter that the wicked scheme which Haman had devised against the Jews should come back upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/83-4.htm">Psalm 83:4-7</a></span><br />saying, “Come, let us erase them as a nation; may the name of Israel be remembered no more.” / For with one mind they plot together; they form an alliance against You— / the tents of Edom and the Ishmaelites, of Moab and the Hagrites, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/63-1.htm">Isaiah 63:1-6</a></span><br />Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.” / Why are Your clothes red, and Your garments like one who treads the winepress? / “I have trodden the winepress alone, and no one from the nations was with Me. I trampled them in My anger and trod them down in My fury; their blood spattered My garments, and all My clothes were stained. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/25-12.htm">Ezekiel 25:12-14</a></span><br />This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because Edom acted vengefully against the house of Judah, and in so doing incurred grievous guilt, / therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: I will stretch out My hand against Edom and cut off from it both man and beast. I will make it a wasteland, and from Teman to Dedan they will fall by the sword. / I will take My vengeance on Edom by the hand of My people Israel, and they will deal with Edom according to My anger and wrath. Then they will know My vengeance, declares the Lord GOD.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/obadiah/1-10.htm">Obadiah 1:10-14</a></span><br />Because of the violence against your brother Jacob, you will be covered with shame and cut off forever. / On the day you stood aloof while strangers carried off his wealth and foreigners entered his gate and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were just like one of them. / But you should not gloat in that day, your brother’s day of misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast proudly in the day of their distress. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/1-1.htm">Matthew 1:1-16</a></span><br />This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham: / Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers. / Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17</a></span><br />Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/3-23.htm">Luke 3:23-38</a></span><br />Jesus Himself was about thirty years old when He began His ministry. He was regarded as the son of Joseph, the son of Heli, / the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, / the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-39.htm">John 8:39-41</a></span><br />“Abraham is our father,” they replied. “If you were children of Abraham,” said Jesus, “you would do the works of Abraham. / But now you are trying to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. / You are doing the works of your father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they declared. “Our only Father is God Himself.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.</p><p class="hdg">Agag</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/15-3.htm">1 Samuel 15:3</a></b></br> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/24-7.htm">Numbers 24:7</a></b></br> He shall pour the water out of his buckets, and his seed <i>shall be</i> in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/20-30.htm">1 Kings 20:30,34-42</a></b></br> But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and <i>there</i> a wall fell upon twenty and seven thousand of the men <i>that were</i> left. And Benhadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner chamber… </p><p class="hdg">utterly</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/27-8.htm">1 Samuel 27:8</a></b></br> And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those <i>nations were</i> of old the inhabitants of the land, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/30-1.htm">1 Samuel 30:1</a></b></br> And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/10-39.htm">Joshua 10:39</a></b></br> And he took it, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof; and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the souls that <i>were</i> therein; he left none remaining: as he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir, and to the king thereof; as he had done also to Libnah, and to her king.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/24-7.htm">Agag</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-6.htm">Alive</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-7.htm">Amalek</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-7.htm">Amalekites</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-7.htm">Amal'ekites</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-42.htm">Captured</a> <a href="/judges/15-4.htm">Catcheth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-6.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/joshua/22-20.htm">Devoted</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-5.htm">Edge</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-21.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-27.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/judges/18-30.htm">Prisoner</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-3.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-3.htm">Totally</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-3.htm">Utterly</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/15-9.htm">Agag</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-14.htm">Alive</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-15.htm">Amalek</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-15.htm">Amalekites</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-15.htm">Amal'ekites</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-5.htm">Captured</a> <a href="/psalms/35-8.htm">Catcheth</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-9.htm">Destroyed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-15.htm">Devoted</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-27.htm">Edge</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-15.htm">Mercy</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-35.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/2_kings/17-28.htm">Prisoner</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-33.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-15.htm">Totally</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-9.htm">Utterly</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 /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/1_samuel/15.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>He captured Agag king of the Amalekites alive</b><br />The phrase "He captured Agag king of the Amalekites alive" highlights a significant moment in the narrative of Saul's kingship. The Hebrew root for "captured" is "לָכַד" (lakad), which implies taking possession or seizing. This act of capturing Agag, rather than killing him as commanded, reflects Saul's disobedience to God's explicit instructions given through the prophet Samuel. Historically, the Amalekites were long-standing enemies of Israel, and God's command to destroy them was a divine judgment for their past transgressions against His people (<a href="/exodus/17-8.htm">Exodus 17:8-16</a>). Agag, as their king, symbolizes the Amalekite threat and their opposition to God's covenant people. Saul's decision to spare Agag reveals a failure to fully submit to God's will, prioritizing political gain or personal mercy over divine command.<p><b>but devoted all the others to destruction with the sword</b><br />The phrase "but devoted all the others to destruction with the sword" uses the Hebrew term "חָרַם" (charam), meaning to devote to destruction or to utterly destroy. This term is often used in the context of holy war, where certain things are set apart for God, either by destruction or by being given to the sanctuary. The act of devoting to destruction was meant to be an act of obedience and worship, acknowledging God's sovereignty and justice. The use of "the sword" signifies the means of executing God's judgment, a common biblical symbol of divine retribution. Saul's partial obedience—destroying the rest but sparing Agag—demonstrates a selective adherence to God's commands, which ultimately leads to his rejection as king. This narrative serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of complete obedience to God, emphasizing that partial obedience is, in essence, disobedience. Saul's actions contrast with the call to trust and obey God fully, recognizing His wisdom and authority in all matters.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 8.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">He took Agag.</span> This was the official name of the Amalekite kings (see <a href="/numbers/24-7.htm">Numbers 24:7</a>), as Pharaoh was that of the kings of Egypt. For its meaning we must wait till we know more about the language of this race. Agag, however, from ver. 32, seems to have been able to speak Hebrew. <span class="cmt_word">He utterly destroyed</span> - <span class="accented">i.e.</span> put under the ban - <span class="cmt_word">all the people.</span> They appear, however, again in <a href="/1_samuel/27-8.htm">1 Samuel 27:8</a>, and with so vast a wilderness in which to take refuge, it would be impossible really to exterminate a people used to lead a wandering life. Moreover, as soon as Israel began to lay hands on the spoil the pursuit would flag, as the cattle would be killed by over driving. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/15-8.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">He captured</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּתְפֹּ֛שׂ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiṯ·pōś)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8610.htm">Strong's 8610: </a> </span><span class="str2">To manipulate, seize, chiefly to capture, wield, to overlay, to use unwarrantably</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Agag</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲגַ֥ג</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·ḡaḡ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_90.htm">Strong's 90: </a> </span><span class="str2">Agag -- king of Amalek</span><br /><br /><span class="word">king</span><br /><span class="heb">מֶֽלֶךְ־</span> <span class="translit">(me·leḵ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Amalek</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲמָלֵ֖ק</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·mā·lêq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6002.htm">Strong's 6002: </a> </span><span class="str2">Amalek -- a descendant of Esau, also his posterity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">alive,</span><br /><span class="heb">חָ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(ḥāy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2416.htm">Strong's 2416: </a> </span><span class="str2">Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but completely destroyed</span><br /><span class="heb">הֶחֱרִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(he·ḥĕ·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2763.htm">Strong's 2763: </a> </span><span class="str2">To seclude, to devote to religious uses, to be blunt as to the nose</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the others</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with the sword.</span><br /><span class="heb">חָֽרֶב׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·reḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> </span><span class="str2">Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/15-8.htm">1 Samuel 15:8 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/15-8.htm">1 Samuel 15:8 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/15-8.htm">1 Samuel 15:8 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/15-8.htm">1 Samuel 15:8 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/15-8.htm">1 Samuel 15:8 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/15-8.htm">1 Samuel 15:8 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/15-8.htm">1 Samuel 15:8 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/15-8.htm">1 Samuel 15:8 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/15-8.htm">1 Samuel 15:8 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/15-8.htm">1 Samuel 15:8 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/15-8.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 15:8 He took Agag the king (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/15-7.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 15:7"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 15:7" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/15-9.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 15:9"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 15:9" /></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>