1 Samuel 15:3
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.
Original Language Analysis
עַתָּה֩
H6258
לֵ֨ךְ
H1980
לֵ֨ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
2 of 26
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
וְהִכִּיתָ֜ה
and smite
H5221
וְהִכִּיתָ֜ה
and smite
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
3 of 26
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עֲמָלֵ֗ק
Amalek
H6002
עֲמָלֵ֗ק
Amalek
Strong's:
H6002
Word #:
5 of 26
amalek, a descendant of esau; also his posterity and their country
וְהַֽחֲרַמְתֶּם֙
and utterly destroy
H2763
וְהַֽחֲרַמְתֶּם֙
and utterly destroy
Strong's:
H2763
Word #:
6 of 26
to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction); physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 26
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תַחְמֹ֖ל
all that they have and spare
H2550
תַחְמֹ֖ל
all that they have and spare
Strong's:
H2550
Word #:
12 of 26
to commiserate; by implication, to spare
עָלָ֑יו
H5921
עָלָ֑יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְהֵֽמַתָּ֞ה
them not but slay
H4191
וְהֵֽמַתָּ֞ה
them not but slay
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
14 of 26
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
מֵאִ֣ישׁ
both man
H376
מֵאִ֣ישׁ
both man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
15 of 26
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
16 of 26
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
וְעַד
H5704
וְעַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
19 of 26
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
וְעַד
H5704
וְעַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
22 of 26
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Cross References
Numbers 24:20And when he looked on Amalek, he took up his parable, and said, Amalek was the first of the nations; but his latter end shall be that he perish for ever.Numbers 31:17Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him.1 Samuel 22:19And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.
Historical Context
The establishment of monarchy around 1050-1010 BCE represented a dramatic political and theological shift for Israel. Unlike surrounding nations where kings were considered divine or semi-divine, Israel's kings were supposed to function under God's ultimate authority as laid out in Deuteronomy 17:14-20. The Benjamite tribe occupied strategic territory between Ephraim and Judah, making Saul's selection a politically astute choice to balance tribal rivalries. Archaeological remains from this period show increased fortification and centralization of settlements, confirming the transition to state-level organization.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage clarify the relationship between genuine faith and concrete obedience, and what does it teach about partial compliance?
- Are there areas where you practice selective obedience, substituting religious activity for heart-level surrender to God's commands?
- How does this passage connect to the larger biblical narrative of redemption and point toward Christ and the gospel?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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.
Saul's failure demonstrates that partial obedience is disobedience, and religious activity cannot substitute for heart surrender. His pattern of excuses, blame-shifting, and selective compliance while maintaining outward religious appearance warns against external religion without internal transformation. The pronouncement that 'to obey is better than sacrifice' establishes that God desires humble submission over impressive religious performance. Saul's rejection teaches that prolonged disobedience, even mixed with apparent faithfulness, eventually results in God's withdrawal of calling and blessing.