1 Samuel 15:9
But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָעָ֜ם
and the people
H5971
וְהָעָ֜ם
and the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
3 of 24
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַצֹּאן֩
of the sheep
H6629
הַצֹּאן֩
of the sheep
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
8 of 24
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
וְהַבָּקָ֨ר
and of the oxen
H1241
וְהַבָּקָ֨ר
and of the oxen
Strong's:
H1241
Word #:
9 of 24
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
וְהַמִּשְׁנִ֤ים
and of the fatlings
H4932
וְהַמִּשְׁנִ֤ים
and of the fatlings
Strong's:
H4932
Word #:
10 of 24
properly, a repetition, i.e., a duplicate (copy of a document), or a double (in amount); by implication, a second (in order, rank, age, quality or loc
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַכָּרִים֙
and the lambs
H3733
הַכָּרִים֙
and the lambs
Strong's:
H3733
Word #:
12 of 24
a ram (as full-grown and fat), including a battering-ram (as butting)
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
14 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַטּ֔וֹב
and all that was good
H2896
הַטּ֔וֹב
and all that was good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
15 of 24
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
16 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אָב֖וּ
and would
H14
אָב֖וּ
and would
Strong's:
H14
Word #:
17 of 24
to breathe after, i.e., (figuratively) to be acquiescent
הֶֽחֱרִֽימוּ׃
not utterly destroy
H2763
הֶֽחֱרִֽימוּ׃
not utterly destroy
Strong's:
H2763
Word #:
18 of 24
to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction); physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
19 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַמְּלָאכָ֛ה
them but every thing
H4399
הַמְּלָאכָ֛ה
them but every thing
Strong's:
H4399
Word #:
20 of 24
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
וְנָמֵ֖ס
and refuse
H4549
וְנָמֵ֖ס
and refuse
Strong's:
H4549
Word #:
22 of 24
to liquefy; figuratively, to waste (with disease), to faint (with fatigue, fear or grief)
Cross References
1 Samuel 15:15And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.1 Samuel 15:3Now 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.1 Samuel 15:19Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?
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
But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.
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.