1 Samuel 15
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
1 Samuel 15
NJB (MT versing) Saul's Disobedience Saul Spares King Agag Another Story of Saul's Rejection War Against the Amalekites Holy War Against the Amalekites 15:1-3 15:1-5 15:1-3 15:1-3 15:1-3 15:4-9 15:4-9 15:4-9 15:4-6 15:6-9 15:7-9 Samuel Rebukes Saul Saul Rejected As King Saul Is Rejected As King Saul Is Rejected by Yahweh 15:10-16 15:10-16 15:10-16 15:10-13 15:10-11 15:12-15 15:14 15:15 15:16 15:16-23 15:17-19 15:17-23 15:17-23 15:17-19 15:20-23 15:20-21 (22-23) (22-23) (22-23) 15:22-23 (22-23) Saul Asks in Vain for Pardon 15:24-31 15:24-31 15:24-31 15:24-25 15:24-31 15:26 15:27-29 15:30-31 Death of Agag and Departure of Samuel 15:32-33 15:32-33 15:32-33 (33) 15:32-33 15:32-33 (33) 15:34-35 15:34-35 15:34-35 15:34-35 15:34-35 Etc.
1 Samuel 15:1-3
15:1 "The Lord" This is the covenant name for Israel's Deity from the Hebrew verb "to be." SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D. ▣ "to anoint" See SPECIAL TOPIC: "ANOINTING" IN THE BIBLE. ▣ "Israel" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ISRAEL (THE NAME). ▣ "the words of the Lord" This is literally the "sound" (BDB 876) of the words (cf. 1 Sam. 12:14,15; 15:1,19,20,22). This same word is used of the sound of the sheep and cattle in v. 14. Notice Samuel's words are in reality YHWH's words! 15:2 "the Lord of hosts" See SPECIAL TOPIC: Lord OF HOSTS. ▣ "Amalek for what he did to Israel" This is referring to Exod. 17:8-16; Num. 24:20; Deut. 25:17-19. The name "Amalek" (BDB 766) or "Amalekites" does not appear outside of the OT. It may be the title for their king, like Hadad, Pharaoh, Caesar. 15:3 YHWH gives several directives. go strike utterly destroy (lit. herem, cf. Deut. 7:26; 13:17; Josh. 6:17; 7:1,11,12,15; 22:20; 1 Chr. 2:7; see SPECIAL TOPIC: CURSE) do not spare (cf. 1 Sam. 15:3,9,15; Deut. 13:8) put to death (i.e., holy war; no spoils, all belongs to YHWH; lit. "under the ban," cf. Lev. 27:28-29; Joshua 6; Jer. 51:3) man woman child infant ox sheep camel donkey For a good brief discussion of the Herem (i.e., under the ban) see Hard Sayings of the Bible, "Completely Destroy Them!" pp. 206-207.
1 Samuel 15:4-9
15:4 It is surprising in this period that Israel and Judah's soldiers are listed separately. This may be an anachronism from a later editor/compiler. ▣ "Telaim" This name (BDB 378) appears only here. It is probably a variant spelling for "Telem" (BDB 378, cf. Josh. 15:24), both of which are in Judah. ▣ "200,000. . .10,000" Remember that western literalism often forgets the eastern hyperbole and the many connotations of the noun "thousand." A helpful book to me has been G. B. Caird, The Language and Imagery of the Bible. SPECIAL TOPIC: THOUSAND (eleph) 15:5 NASB, TEV, NJB, NET, Vulgate "set an ambush" NKJV, NRSV, JPSOA, LXX "lay in wait" "halted for a time" "issued a directive" The MT has the root ריב (BDB 936, KB 1224, Qal IMPERFECT) which means "to contend with" or "to strive with." The LXX suggests another root, ארב (BDB 70, KB 83, Hiphil IMPERFECT) which means "to lie in wait" (i.e., ambush). The UBS Text Project does not mention this possible emendation. 15:6 "the Kenites" Notice the Qal imperatives Saul gives to them. go depart go down from The reason given is their kindness (lit. hesed, cf. Gen. 21:23; 2 Sam. 3:8) to Israel (cf. Exod. 18:9,10,19; Num. 10:29-32). SPECIAL TOPIC: LOVINGKINDNESS (hesed) ▣ NASB, NKJV, NRSV, NJB, REB, JPSOA, Peshitta "Lest I destroy you" "kill you" LXX (BDB 62, #2) "Lest I include you" NET, Vulgate "otherwise, I will sweep you away" Most English translations follow the MT, "destroy" or "remove" (BDB 62, #4, KB 74, Qal IMPERFECT) but the NET Bible follows the Vulgate, "sweep away" (BDB 705, KB 763, Qal IMPERFECT). The UBS Text Project does not mention this possible variant at all. 15:9 "the fatlings" This NOUN (BDB 1041) literally means "second born" (JPSOA). The firstborn was to be given to YHWH as His portion, like the firstborn son (cf. Exodus 13). The NASB follows Targums and Peshitta. The NET Bible footnote, p. 493, #15, mentions that the second born may have been considered to be better than the firstlings (i.e, Kimchi). If so the MT should be retained (i.e., "second born"). ▣ NASB, NKJV, NRSV "despised and worthless" "useless or worthless" "useless and of no value" "cheap and worthless" "despised and worthless artifact" "vile and despised" The LXX adds "and the best of the flocks and of the herds and of the foods and of the vineyard and of the good things." The MT has two Niphal PARTICIPLES. "despised" ‒ the MT has an unusual form (נמבזה) and is emended to BDB 102, KB 117 (נבזה); both mean "despised," see NIDOTTE, vol. 1, pp. 628-629, 2, a. "worthless" ‒ the meaning to this VERB (BDB 587, KB 606) is found only here. Usually the VERB means "to dissolve" or "to melt." Possibly here it denotes livestock and food stores that are wasting, rotting away.
1 Samuel 15:10-16
15:11 "I regret that I made Saul king" This shocking statement is repeated in v. 35. Does YHWH "regret," "repent" (BDB 636, KB 688, Niphal PERFECT)? This seems to directly contradict v. 29 (BDB 636, KB 688, Niphal IMPERFECT). See G. B. Caird, The Language and Imagery of the Bible, pp. 119-120. Saul did not live up to his calling, anointing, and empowering. He was disobedient to YHWH's expressed will. YHWH was "sorry" for Saul's choices and the consequences they brought on Israel. For a good brief discussion on this issue see Hard Sayings of the Bible, "Does God Change His Mind," pp. 108-109, and "A God Who Relents?" pp.333-334. See how I deal with this subject in my notes from Gen. 6:6. Gen. 6:6 "the Lord was sorry. . .He was grieved in His heart" These are anthropomorphic phrases (see SPECIAL TOPIC: THE PROBLEMS AND LIMITATIONS OF HUMAN LANGUAGE). The first VERB is interpreted "the Lord heaved with a sigh" (BDB 636, KB 688, Niphal IMPERFECT with waw). The second VERB is interpreted "the Lord was grieved into His heart" (BDB 780, KB 864, Hithpael IMPERFECT; with waw, see SPECIAL TOPIC: REPENTANCE). These are intense Hebrew phrases (cf. Gen. 34:7; 45:5; 1 Sam. 2:33; 20:34; 2 Sam. 19:2; Ps. 78:40; Isa. 54:6). God is often spoken of in the Bible as being sorry or repenting (cf. Gen. 6:6-7; Exod. 32:14; 1 Sam. 15:11; 2 Sam. 24:16; Jer. 18:7,8; 26:13,19; Jonah 3:10). However, other passages assert that God never repents or changes His mind (cf. Num. 23:19; 1 Sam. 15:29; Jer. 4:28; Ps. 132:11). This is the tension that always occurs when we use human terms to describe God. God is not a man, but the only words we have to describe Him and His feelings are human terms. It must be asserted that God is not fickle. He is steadfast and longsuffering in His redemptive purpose for humanity, but mankind's response in repentance of sin often determines God's actions in a particular situation (cf. Ps. 106:45; Jonah). Theologically it is God who changes, not mankind. God chooses to work with sinful humanity. His goal is the same—a righteous people who reflect His character. This will only be accomplished by a new heart, a new covenant (cf. Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 36:26-38). God chooses grace over judgment! See SPECIAL TOPIC: EASTERN LITERATURE (Biblical Paradoxes)). SPECIAL TOPIC: REPENTANCE (OT) SPECIAL TOPIC: PREDESTINATION VS. HUMAN FREE WILL ▣ "Samuel was distressed and cried out to the Lord" Apparently Samuel was distressed by YHWH's reversal of His choice of Saul (cf. 1 Sam. 16:1). Samuel brought the subject of Saul up several times in prayer. Finally, YHWH said do not pray any more about him! 15:12 "he set up a monument for himself" The idea of a victory stele is not unusual in the ANE but it should have been to YHWH, not Saul. 15:13 Is Saul just ignorant of what YHWH said? Does he think he was obedient (v. 20)? He gave two excuses. We kept these things, including Agag, alive for a sacrifice to YHWH (vv. 15,21). I was afraid of the soldiers revolting if they did not receive spoil v. 24). 15:15 "best" This is the NOUN (BDB 406, v. 21) usually translated "the best of a thing" (cf. here and Gen. 47:6,11 are its only uses). There is a word play between the word "best" (vv. 15,21, BDB 406) and the ADJECTIVE (BDB 373) in v. 28 (i.e., the new King would be better than Saul). 15:16 "And he said to him" The MT has the PLURAL "they" but the Masoretic scholars suggested a change to the SINGULAR, which is followed by most English translations. 15:18 NASB, NJB, JPSOA "exterminated" NKJV, NRSV, LXX, Peshitta "consumed" "killed them all" "wiped them out" The MT has the Piel INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT (BDB 477, KB 476) of a VERB that means "to be complete," "at an end," "finished," "accomplished." Here, it refers to the complete slaughter of the Amalekite tribe of Agag (apparently there were other Amalekite tribes living in this location because they appear again in later Jewish history). This complete extermination was part of the holy war concept of an enemy being dedicated to YHWH (i.e., under the ban, herem). Canaanites ‒ Deut. 7:22; Josh. 8:24; 10:20 Amalekites ‒ 1 Sam. 15:18 Syrians ‒ 2 Kgs. 13:17 Assyrians ‒ Isa. 10:18
1 Samuel 15:20-23
15:22 This is one of the most powerful texts on the priority of motive over ritual (cf. Isa. 1:10-15; Amos 5:21-24; Hos. 6:6; Matt. 9:13; 12:7; Mark 12:33). This is not meant to depreciate the sacrificial system. It was God's will on how sinful people can approach a holy God and stay in fellowship with Him. But it was not an automatic ritual, rather a new heart, mind (i.e., Ezek. 36:22-36), and will that showed one to be in fellowship with God (i.e., a good example is circumcision, cf. Deut. 10:16; 30:6; Jer. 4:4; 6:10; Rom. 2:28-29). Ritual and liturgy are effective only when accompanied by a believing heart a godly life (Micah 6:6-8) obedience to the known will of God (cf. Jer. 6:16-20; 7:21-26) For a good brief discussion of this issue see Hard Sayings of the Bible, "Does the Lord Delight in Sacrifices?" pp. 207-208, 274-275. 15:23 Seeking guidance and knowledge from any source but YHWH is sin/rebellion. Also to seek His will then violate it is far worse sin! SPECIAL TOPIC: DIVINER ▣ "idolatry" This is literally "teraphim" (BDB 1076). For a good brief discussion of divination and idolatry, see Robert Girdlestone, Synonyms of the OT, pp. 296-311. SPECIAL TOPIC: Teraphim
1 Samuel 15:24-31
15:24-25 Verbal repentance did not change Saul's heart or actions. He rejected YHWH's word; YHWH rejected him. There are consequences to disobedience! 15:25 Saul does seemingly repent but it was too late. YHWH had rejected him on this occasion of his second act of disobedience. And there will be more to come! God knows the heart, but hearts change! 15:27-28 This is an example of an Eastern visualized proverb. The IVP Bible Background Commentary (OT), p. 304, asserts that this gesture of grabbing the robe was a plea for mercy common in Ugaritic myths (i.e., Anat and Mot). 15:28 NASB, NKJV, NRSV, NJB, LXX, Peshitta "neighbor" "someone" REB, JPSOA "another" "one of your colleagues" The MASCULINE NOUN (BDB 945 II, KB 1253 II) suggests "your fellow" (cf. 1 Sam. 28:17; 2 Sam. 12:11). Ugaritic ‒ friend, companion Akkadian ‒ companion, comrade, friend Arabic ‒ companion YHWH will give Saul's kingship to another Israelite. This word is not more specific than that. The UBS Handbook, p. 32, suggests the translation of "a fellow Israelite." 15:29-30 Although YHWH had rejected Saul as king, the new king had not been revealed and anointed. There must be some continuity in Israel's government. This is what Saul is asking Samuel to supply. 15:29 NASB, NRSV, NJB, JPSOA "the Glory of Israel" "the Strength of Israel" "Israel's majestic God" "the Splendor of Israel" "Israel will be divided in two" "his Excellency the Lord" "The Preeminent One" The MT has the MASCULINE NOUN (BDB 664 I, KB 716 I) which it defines as "eminence," "enduring," "everlasting." BDB gives the translation option #1 as "the Eminence of Israel" and mentions that this word is used as an attribute of YHWH in 1 Chr. 29:11. KB adds to the connotation, "successful," however, the UBS Handbook, p. 328, suggests the root denotes the second or third translation option, "Israel's Everlasting One" (Rashi), "the Eternal One of Israel" (NCV). ▣ "Bold" The NJB has verse 29 as a parenthesis. Notice the attributes as descriptions of YHWH. will not lie will not change His mind (clarified as not like a human) Repentance can affect God's will. If not, what is the purpose of intercessory prayer? SPECIAL TOPIC: EFFECTIVE PRAYER SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARACTERISTICS OF ISRAEL'S GOD (OT) SPECIAL TOPIC: INTERCESSORY PRAYER 15:30 "elders" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ELDERS. ▣ "worship" See SPECIAL TOPIC: WORSHIP.
1 Samuel 15:32-33
15:32 NASB, RSV "cheerfully" "cautiously" "haltingly" "trembling with fear" "unsteadily" REB, JPSOA "with faltering step" "trembling" —omit— Rotherham "in fetters" The MT has a FEMININE PLURAL NOUN. The root may be bind ‒ ענד (BDB 772, cf. Job 38:31; NIDOTTE, vol. 2, p. 612, e; NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 446, #2) delight ‒ עדן (BDB 726, cf. Gen. 49:20; Pro. 29:17) shake, tremble ‒ מעד (BDB 588) Although #1 involves the transposition of the Hebrew letters, the UBS Text Project, p. 182, gives it an "A" rating. ▣ NASB, NKJV, REB "Surely the bitterness of death is past" "Surely this is the bitterness of death" "What a bitter thing it is to die!" NJB, Peshitta, NET "Truly, death is bitter!" "Ah, bitter death is at hand" "Is death thus bitter?" The MT is seen in the NASB, but the JPSOA, NRSV, NJB, LXX, and Peshitta remove the VERB "is past." The MT assumes that Agag thought he would be spared but the context supports his fear of death. The UBS Text Project, p. 182, gives the MT a "C" rating (considerable doubt). Even various copies of the DSS have both versions. 15:33 Agag's past ruthless attacks on Israel's population deserved the judgment of God. Samuel carried out that judgment publicly before the eyes of the Judge of the universe, the Creator of all things! ▣ NASB, NRSV, REB "hewed. . .to pieces" "hacked" TEV, Peshitta "cut. . .to pieces" "butchered" "cut. . .down" "slew" "torn to pieces (i.e., like a wild animal)" The MT has a VERB (BDB 1043, KB 1609, Piel IMPERFECT with waw) that occurs only here, possibly from a root "to divide" (BDB 1042). Whatever the exact meaning, this does not reflect human sacrifice but ritual holy war extermination! For a good brief discussion of human sacrifice in the OT, see Roland deVaux, Ancient Israel, pp. 441-446.
1 Samuel 15:34-35
15:35 See note at 1 Sam. 15:11.