1 Samuel 15:12
And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֧ם
rose early
H7925
וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֧ם
rose early
Strong's:
H7925
Word #:
1 of 19
literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning
לִקְרַ֥את
to meet
H7125
לִקְרַ֥את
to meet
Strong's:
H7125
Word #:
3 of 19
an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)
בַּבֹּ֑קֶר
in the morning
H1242
בַּבֹּ֑קֶר
in the morning
Strong's:
H1242
Word #:
5 of 19
properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
וַיֻּגַּ֨ד
it was told
H5046
וַיֻּגַּ֨ד
it was told
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
6 of 19
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
הַכַּרְמֶ֙לָה֙
to Carmel
H3760
הַכַּרְמֶ֙לָה֙
to Carmel
Strong's:
H3760
Word #:
11 of 19
karmel, the name of a hill and of a town in palestine
מַצִּ֥יב
and behold he set him up
H5324
מַצִּ֥יב
and behold he set him up
Strong's:
H5324
Word #:
13 of 19
to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively)
יָ֔ד
a place
H3027
יָ֔ד
a place
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
15 of 19
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
וַיִּסֹּב֙
and is gone about
H5437
וַיִּסֹּב֙
and is gone about
Strong's:
H5437
Word #:
16 of 19
to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
וַֽיַּעֲבֹ֔ר
and passed on
H5674
וַֽיַּעֲבֹ֔ר
and passed on
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
17 of 19
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
Cross References
Joshua 15:55Maon, Carmel, and Ziph, and Juttah,1 Samuel 25:2And there was a man in Maon, whose possessions were in Carmel; and the man was very great, and he had three thousand sheep, and a thousand goats: and he was shearing his sheep in Carmel.2 Samuel 18:18Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which is in the king's dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom's place.
Historical Context
Victory monuments were common ancient Near Eastern practice - stone markers commemorating military achievements. Carmel (not Mount Carmel but a town in Judah) was near the battle site. Gilgal, where Saul's unlawful sacrifice occurred (chapter 13), ironically becomes the site of his rejection.
Questions for Reflection
- How does self-commemoration conflict with faithful obedience?
- What does the contrast between Samuel's night of prayer and Saul's monument-building reveal?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal.
Samuel rises early to meet Saul but learns the king 'is gone to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place.' The Hebrew yad ('place' or literally 'hand') probably refers to a monument or memorial. While Samuel grieved all night, Saul erected a victory monument to himself. The geographic note that he 'is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal' traces Saul's movements focused on self-commemoration rather than completing divine commands. Saul celebrates victory; Samuel brings judgment.