1 Samuel 15:32
Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.
Original Language Analysis
הַגִּ֤ישׁוּ
Bring ye hither
H5066
הַגִּ֤ישׁוּ
Bring ye hither
Strong's:
H5066
Word #:
3 of 18
to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עֲמָלֵ֔ק
of the Amalekites
H6002
עֲמָלֵ֔ק
of the Amalekites
Strong's:
H6002
Word #:
8 of 18
amalek, a descendant of esau; also his posterity and their country
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ
H1980
וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
9 of 18
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
מַֽעֲדַנֹּ֑ת
unto him delicately
H4574
מַֽעֲדַנֹּ֑ת
unto him delicately
Strong's:
H4574
Word #:
12 of 18
a delicacy or (abstractly) pleasure (adverbially, cheerfully)
Historical Context
The Hebrew ma'adannoth is difficult to translate. Some render it 'in chains,' others 'cheerfully' or 'comfortably.' Agag's words suggest he believed the danger had passed - a reasonable assumption after days of survival following his capture.
Questions for Reflection
- What false security comes from temporary escape from consequences?
- How does delayed judgment sometimes produce false confidence?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.
Samuel commands: 'Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites.' Agag comes 'delicately' (ma'adannoth) - the Hebrew suggests either 'cheerfully' (thinking he has escaped death) or 'in fetters' (bound as a prisoner). His statement 'Surely the bitterness of death is past' indicates he believed his life spared. Agag's premature relief demonstrates that human mercy toward those under divine judgment merely postpones, not prevents, the inevitable. What Saul failed to do, Samuel will complete.