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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 15:17 And Samuel said, "Although you were once small in your own eyes, have you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/15-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/09_1Sa_15_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 15:17 - Samuel Denounces Saul" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And Samuel said, Although you were once small in your own eyes, have you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? 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The LORD anointed you king over Israel. <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/15.htm">New Living Translation</a> And Samuel told him, “Although you may think little of yourself, are you not the leader of the tribes of Israel? The LORD has anointed you king of Israel. <a href="/esv/1_samuel/15.htm">English Standard Version</a> And Samuel said, “Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel. <a href="/bsb/1_samuel/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> And Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, have you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/15.htm">King James Bible</a> And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel? <a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/15.htm">New King James Version</a> So Samuel said, “When you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the LORD anoint you king over Israel? <a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> So Samuel said, “Is it not true, though you were insignificant in your own eyes, that you became the head of the tribes of Israel? For the LORD anointed you as king over Israel. <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/15.htm">NASB 1995</a> Samuel said, &#8220Is it not true, though you were little in your own eyes, you were made the head of the tribes of Israel? And the LORD anointed you king over Israel, <a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And Samuel said, “Is it not true, though you were little in your own eyes, you were made the head of the tribes of Israel? And the LORD anointed you king over Israel, <a href="/lsb/1_samuel/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> And Samuel said, “Is it not true, though you were little in your own eyes, you were made the head of the tribes of Israel? And Yahweh anointed you king over Israel, <a href="/amp/1_samuel/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Samuel said, “Is it not true that even though you were small (insignificant) in your own eyes, you were made the head of the tribes of Israel? And the LORD anointed you king over Israel, <a href="/csb/1_samuel/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Samuel continued, “Although you once considered yourself unimportant, haven’t you become the leader of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel <a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Samuel continued, &#8220Although you once considered yourself unimportant, have you not become the leader of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel <a href="/asv/1_samuel/15.htm">American Standard Version</a> And Samuel said, Though thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel? And Jehovah anointed thee king over Israel; <a href="/cev/1_samuel/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Samuel continued, "You may not think you're very important, but the LORD chose you to be king, and you are in charge of the tribes of Israel. <a href="/erv/1_samuel/15.htm">English Revised Version</a> And Samuel said, Though thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel? And the LORD anointed thee king over Israel; <a href="/gwt/1_samuel/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Samuel said, "Even though you don't consider yourself great, you were the head of Israel's tribes. The LORD anointed you king of Israel. <a href="/gnt/1_samuel/15.htm">Good News Translation</a> Samuel answered, "Even though you consider yourself of no importance, you are the leader of the tribes of Israel. The LORD anointed you king of Israel, <a href="/isv/1_samuel/15.htm">International Standard Version</a> So Samuel replied, "Is it not true that though you were small in your own eyes you became head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed you king over Israel? <a href="/msb/1_samuel/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> And Samuel said, ?Although you were once small in your own eyes, have you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel <a href="/net/1_samuel/15.htm">NET Bible</a> Samuel said, "Is it not true that when you were insignificant in your own eyes, you became head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD chose you as king over Israel. <a href="/nheb/1_samuel/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Samuel said, "Though you were little in your own sight, weren't you made the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel; <a href="/wbt/1_samuel/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thy own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel? <a href="/web/1_samuel/15.htm">World English Bible</a> Samuel said, “Though you were little in your own sight, weren’t you made the head of the tribes of Israel? Yahweh anointed you king over Israel; <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And Samuel says, “Are you not, if you [are] little in your own eyes, head of the tribes of Israel? And YHWH anoints you for king over Israel, <a href="/ylt/1_samuel/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And Samuel saith, 'Art not thou, if thou art little in thine own eyes, head of the tribes of Israel? and Jehovah doth anoint thee for king over Israel, <a href="/slt/1_samuel/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And Samuel will say, Wert thou not little in thine eyes, thou the head of the tribes of Israel, and Jehovah will anoint thee for king over Israel?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_samuel/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And Samuel said: When thou wast a little one in thy own eyes, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel? And the Lord anointed thee to be king over Israel. <a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And Samuel said: “Was it not when you were little in your own eyes that you were made the head of the tribes of Israel? And the Lord anointed you as king over Israel. <a href="/nabre/1_samuel/15.htm">New American Bible</a> Samuel then said: “Though little in your own eyes, are you not chief of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king of Israel <a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Samuel said, “Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And Samuel said to Saul, Behold, even though you were little in your own eyes; nevertheless you were made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed you king over Israel. <a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/15.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And Shemueil said to Shaul: “Behold, surely you are a little one in your eyes. You are the Head of the tribes of Israel, and LORD JEHOVAH anointed you that you would reign over Israel<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_samuel/15.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And Samuel said: 'Though thou be little in thine own sight, art thou not head of the tribes of Israel? And the LORD anointed thee king over Israel; <a href="/sep/1_samuel/15.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And Samuel said to Saul, Art thou not little in his eyes, though a leader of one of the tribes of Israel? and yet the Lord anointed thee to be king over Israel. <a href="/parallel/1_samuel/15-17.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=4165" 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> …16“Stop!” exclaimed Samuel. “Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night.” “Tell me,” Saul replied. 17<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.">And Samuel</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">“Although</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tāh (Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">you were once</a> <a href="/hebrew/6996.htm" title="6996: qā·ṭōn (Adj-ms) -- Small, young, unimportant. Or qaton; from quwt; abbreviated, i.e. Diminutive, literally or figuratively.">small</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: bə·‘ê·ne·ḵā (Prep-b:: N-cdc:: 2ms) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">in your own eyes,</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’āt·tāh (Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">have you</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: hă·lō·w (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: rōš (N-msc) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">become the head</a> <a href="/hebrew/7626.htm" title="7626: šiḇ·ṭê (N-mpc) -- Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe. From an unused root probably meaning to branch off; a scion, i.e. a stick Or a clan.">of the tribes</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">of Israel?</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/4886.htm" title="4886: way·yim·šā·ḥă·ḵā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 2ms) -- To smear, anoint. A primitive root; to rub with oil, i.e. To anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint.">anointed</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: lə·me·leḵ (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">you king</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.">over</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">Israel</a> 18and sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and devote to destruction the sinful Amalekites. Fight against them until you have wiped them out.’…<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/9-21.htm">1 Samuel 9:21</a> Saul replied, “Am I not a Benjamite from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of Benjamin? So why would you say such a thing to me?” <a href="/1_samuel/10-22.htm">1 Samuel 10:22</a> So again they inquired of the LORD, “Has the man come here yet?” And the LORD replied, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.” <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/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/18-18.htm">1 Samuel 18:18</a> And David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my father’s clan in Israel, that I should become the son-in-law of the king?” <a href="/1_samuel/24-14.htm">1 Samuel 24:14</a> Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea? <a href="/2_samuel/7-8.htm">2 Samuel 7:8</a> Now then, you are to tell My servant David that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be the ruler over My people Israel. <a href="/2_samuel/12-7.htm">2 Samuel 12:7</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. <a href="/psalms/78-70.htm">Psalm 78:70-71</a> He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds; / from tending the ewes He brought him to be shepherd of His people Jacob, of Israel His inheritance. <a href="/isaiah/66-2.htm">Isaiah 66:2</a> Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word. <a href="/jeremiah/1-7.htm">Jeremiah 1:7</a> But the LORD told me: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak. <a href="/jeremiah/17-5.htm">Jeremiah 17:5-6</a> This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind, who makes mere flesh his strength and turns his heart from the LORD. / He will be like a shrub in the desert; he will not see when prosperity comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. <a href="/matthew/23-12.htm">Matthew 23:12</a> For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. <a href="/luke/1-52.htm">Luke 1:52</a> He has brought down rulers from their thrones, but has exalted the humble. <a href="/luke/14-11.htm">Luke 14:11</a> For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And Samuel said, When you were little in your own sight, were you not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed you king over Israel?When thou<a href="/1_samuel/9-21.htm">1 Samuel 9:21</a> And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?<a href="/1_samuel/10-22.htm">1 Samuel 10:22</a> Therefore they inquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff.<a href="/judges/6-15.htm">Judges 6:15</a> And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.the Lord<a href="/1_samuel/15-1.htm">1 Samuel 15:1-3</a> Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD… <a href="/1_samuel/10-1.htm">1 Samuel 10:1</a> Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/12-12.htm">Although</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-1.htm">Anoint</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-5.htm">Anointed</a> <a href="/ezekiel/16-8.htm">Becamest</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-40.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-50.htm">Head</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-1.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-6.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-43.htm">Little</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-33.htm">Once</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-16.htm">Samuel</a> <a href="/joshua/24-15.htm">Seem</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-40.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/1_samuel/5-9.htm">Small</a> <a href="/judges/11-12.htm">Thou</a> <a href="/1_samuel/10-20.htm">Tribes</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-24.htm">True.</a> <a href="/ruth/3-2.htm">Wast</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-4.htm">Weren't</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_samuel/13-25.htm">Although</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-3.htm">Anoint</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-3.htm">Anointed</a> <a href="/2_samuel/7-24.htm">Becamest</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-19.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-5.htm">Head</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-3.htm">Holy</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-26.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-23.htm">Little</a> <a href="/1_samuel/19-8.htm">Once</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-20.htm">Samuel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-23.htm">Seem</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-19.htm">Sight</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-23.htm">Small</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-58.htm">Thou</a> <a href="/2_samuel/5-1.htm">Tribes</a> <a href="/1_samuel/22-14.htm">True.</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-19.htm">Wast</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/16-8.htm">Weren't</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>And Samuel said This phrase introduces the prophet Samuel, a significant figure in Israel's history. Samuel was a judge, prophet, and leader who anointed the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David. His role as a prophet is crucial, as he serves as God's mouthpiece, delivering divine messages to the people and their leaders.Although you were once small in your own eyes This refers to Saul's humble beginnings and initial humility. Saul was from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest of the tribes of Israel (<a href="/1_samuel/9-21.htm">1 Samuel 9:21</a>). His modesty is highlighted in his reluctance to assume leadership, as seen when he hid among the baggage during his anointing (<a href="/1_samuel/10-22.htm">1 Samuel 10:22</a>). This humility contrasts with his later disobedience and pride.have you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? Saul's rise to leadership is emphasized here. Despite his initial humility, God elevated him to be the king over all the tribes of Israel. This position of authority was significant, as it united the tribes under a single monarchy, transitioning from the period of the judges to a centralized kingdom.The LORD anointed you king over Israel The anointing of Saul as king was a divine appointment, signifying God's choice and empowerment for leadership. Anointing with oil was a symbolic act representing the Holy Spirit's presence and blessing. This act set Saul apart for his role, similar to the anointing of priests and later kings, including David. The concept of anointing also foreshadows the Messiah (meaning "Anointed One"), pointing to Jesus Christ, who fulfills the ultimate kingship over God's people.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/samuel.htm">Samuel</a> A prophet and judge of Israel who anointed Saul as the first king of Israel. He serves as God's spokesperson, delivering messages and judgments. 2. <a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a> The first king of Israel, chosen by God but later rejected due to his disobedience. His reign marks a significant transition from the period of judges to the monarchy in Israel. 3. <a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a> The nation chosen by God, consisting of twelve tribes. Saul was anointed as king to lead and unify these tribes. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a> The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who is sovereign over Israel and the one who anoints and deposes kings according to His will. 5. <a href="/topical/a/anointing.htm">Anointing</a> A ceremonial act signifying God's choice and empowerment of an individual for a specific role or task, in this case, Saul's kingship over Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_pride.htm">The Danger of Pride</a> Saul's journey from humility to pride serves as a warning. Initially small in his own eyes, he later acts presumptuously, leading to his downfall. Believers must guard against pride, remembering that all authority and success come from God. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_leadership.htm">God's Sovereignty in Leadership</a> God is the one who appoints leaders. Saul's anointing and subsequent rejection remind us that leadership is a divine appointment, and leaders are accountable to God. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a> Saul's failure to obey God's commands highlights the critical nature of obedience in the life of a believer. Obedience is better than sacrifice, as later emphasized by Samuel. <a href="/topical/h/humility_as_a_virtue.htm">Humility as a Virtue</a> Saul's initial humility was a virtue that made him a suitable candidate for kingship. Christians are called to maintain humility, recognizing their dependence on God. <a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness.htm">God's Faithfulness</a> Despite human failure, God remains faithful to His promises and purposes. He continues to work through His chosen people, even when they falter.<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_laws_should_govern_kings.htm">What laws should govern the actions of kings?</a> <a href="/q/does_god_change_his_mind_or_not.htm">Does God change his mind? I Samuel 15:10-11, 15:35, and Genesis 6:6-7 suggest yes, while I Samuel 15:29 suggests no. How do these contradictions reconcile?</a> <a href="/q/why_does_god_punish_census-taking.htm">Why does God kill people for taking a census (2 Samuel 24:1-15)?</a> <a href="/q/does_michal's_view_of_david_differ_in_2_samuel.htm">In 1 Chronicles 15:29, Michal criticizes David's dance--does this episode conflict with the portrayal of Michal in 2 Samuel, creating an inconsistency in her character and motives?</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>(17) When thou wast little in thine own sight.--Kimchi's rendering of the Hebrew here is singular: "Though thou seemest to thyself too little and weak to curb the people, yet wast thou the head, and shouldest have done thy duty;" but this, as Lange observes, would imply that Samuel had accepted Saul's excuse that it was the people's will to reserve the choicest spoil. The prophet's words, however, were simply to remind Saul that the Lord, whose clearly expressed will he had disregarded, had raised him in bygone days from a comparatively humble station to the proud position he was then occupying as chief of Israel. The old counsellor reminds the king that there had been a time when he judged himself unequal to this great work to which his God summoned him; but now, how strange the contrast! Flushed with success, he was trusting alone in his unaided strength, and openly disobeying the Divine commands.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 17. - When - rather, Though - thou wast little in thine own sight. Before his elevation to the royal dignity Saul had deemed himself altogether unequal to so heavy a task (<a href="/1_samuel/9-21.htm">1 Samuel 9:21</a>); now, after great military successes, he is filled with arrogance, and will rule in open defiance of the conditions upon which Jehovah had appointed him to the office <a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/15-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>And Samuel שְׁמוּאֵ֔ל (šə·mū·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8050.htm">Strong's 8050: </a> Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israel said, וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (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 “Although אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not you [were once] אַתָּה֙ (’at·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> Thou and thee, ye and you small קָטֹ֤ן (qā·ṭōn) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6996.htm">Strong's 6996: </a> Small, young, unimportant in your own eyes, בְּעֵינֶ֔יךָ (bə·‘ê·ne·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> An eye, a fountain have you אָ֑תָּה (’āt·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> Thou and thee, ye and you not הֲל֗וֹא (hă·lō·w) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no become the head רֹ֛אשׁ (rōš) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> The head of the tribes שִׁבְטֵ֥י (šiḇ·ṭê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7626.htm">Strong's 7626: </a> Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe of Israel? יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc The LORD יְהוָ֛ה (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 anointed וַיִּמְשָׁחֲךָ֧ (way·yim·šā·ḥă·ḵā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4886.htm">Strong's 4886: </a> To rub with oil, to anoint, to consecrate, to paint you king לְמֶ֖לֶךְ (lə·me·leḵ) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king over עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against Israel יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/15-17.htm">1 Samuel 15:17 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/15-17.htm">1 Samuel 15:17 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_samuel/15-17.htm">1 Samuel 15:17 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/15-17.htm">1 Samuel 15:17 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/15-17.htm">1 Samuel 15:17 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/15-17.htm">1 Samuel 15:17 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/15-17.htm">1 Samuel 15:17 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/15-17.htm">1 Samuel 15:17 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/15-17.htm">1 Samuel 15:17 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_samuel/15-17.htm">1 Samuel 15:17 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-17.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 15:17 Samuel said Though you were little (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/15-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 15:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 15:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/15-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 15:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 15:18" /></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>