1 Samuel 15:15
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
מֵעֲמָֽלֵקִ֣י
them from the Amalekites
H6003
מֵעֲמָֽלֵקִ֣י
them from the Amalekites
Strong's:
H6003
Word #:
3 of 18
an amalekite (or collectively the amalekites) or descendants of amalek
הֱבִיא֗וּם
They have brought
H935
הֱבִיא֗וּם
They have brought
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
4 of 18
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הָעָם֙
for the people
H5971
הָעָם֙
for the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
7 of 18
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 #:
8 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַצֹּאן֙
of the sheep
H6629
הַצֹּאן֙
of the sheep
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
10 of 18
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
וְהַבָּקָ֔ר
and of the oxen
H1241
וְהַבָּקָ֔ר
and of the oxen
Strong's:
H1241
Word #:
11 of 18
a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd
לְמַ֥עַן
H4616
לְמַ֥עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
12 of 18
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
לַֽיהוָ֣ה
unto the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֣ה
unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
14 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
15 of 18
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
1 Samuel 15:9But 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.1 Samuel 15:21But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.
Historical Context
Blame-shifting appears throughout Scripture from Adam's response in Eden. Ancient Near Eastern kings were expected to take responsibility for their commands and their subordinates' actions. Saul's attribution of the decision to 'the people' abdicates royal responsibility.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we spiritualize disobedience by claiming religious motives for prohibited actions?
- What does blame-shifting reveal about the condition of the heart?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And 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.
Saul's excuse introduces blame-shifting: 'They have brought them from the Amalekites.' He distances himself from the decision by attributing it to 'the people.' His claim that they spared the best 'to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God' attempts to spiritualize disobedience. The phrase 'thy God' (not 'our God' or 'my God') may indicate Saul's alienation or his attempt to invoke Samuel's religious authority. His final assertion 'the rest we have utterly destroyed' claims partial obedience as if it compensates for partial disobedience.