1 Samuel 14:48
And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּ֣עַשׂ
And he gathered
H6213
וַיַּ֣עַשׂ
And he gathered
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
1 of 10
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
חַ֔יִל
an host
H2428
חַ֔יִל
an host
Strong's:
H2428
Word #:
2 of 10
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
וַיַּ֖ךְ
and smote
H5221
וַיַּ֖ךְ
and smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
3 of 10
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 10
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עֲמָלֵ֑ק
the Amalekites
H6002
עֲמָלֵ֑ק
the Amalekites
Strong's:
H6002
Word #:
5 of 10
amalek, a descendant of esau; also his posterity and their country
וַיַּצֵּ֥ל
and delivered
H5337
וַיַּצֵּ֥ל
and delivered
Strong's:
H5337
Word #:
6 of 10
to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 10
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
8 of 10
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Cross References
Exodus 17:14And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.Deuteronomy 25:19Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it.
Historical Context
The Amalekites were hereditary enemies of Israel since the wilderness period (Exodus 17:8-16; Deuteronomy 25:17-19). God had decreed their eventual destruction. Saul's initial campaigns against them preceded the complete destruction commanded in chapter 15.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this positive mention of Amalek victory set up the tragedy of chapter 15?
- What does Saul's capacity for faithful military service make his disobedience more or less tragic?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites, and delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them.
The specific mention of Amalek - 'he gathered an host, and smote the Amalekites' - prepares for chapter 15's fatal failure. The note that he 'delivered Israel out of the hands of them that spoiled them' uses salvation language (natsal) typically reserved for divine action. Saul functions as God's instrument for deliverance, fulfilling the king's role as protector. This positive assessment makes his subsequent rejection more tragic: he had capacity for faithful service but failed in obedience.