Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadPaul Kretzmann Commentary - 1 Samuel 15:1 - 15:9
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
The Unauthorized Action of Saul
v. 1. Samuel also said unto Saul, in delivering to him the Lord's commission, The Lord sent me to anoint thee to be king over His people, over Israel; now, therefore, hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the Lord. As the king of Israel by God's direct selection, Saul was bound to carry out the commands of God, the real King of His people.
v. 2. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the almighty Ruler of armies, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, during the desert journey, how he laid wait for him in the way when he came up from Egypt, Exo_17:8-14. The Amalekites were a roving desert-people, descendants of Esau's grandson, Gen_36:12; Gen_36:16, and very decidedly hostile to Israel.
v. 3. Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, as devoted to the Lord, in a campaign of annihilation, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass. The entire people with all their possessions were placed under the ban, as being destined for destruction.
v. 4. And Saul gathered the people together, summoning them for service in war, and numbered, mustered, them in Telaim, in the southern country, midway between Beersheba and the Dead Sea, two hundred thousand footmen and ten thousand men of Judah, for there was need of a mighty army in conquering a strong confederation of Bedouin tribes.
v. 5. And Saul came to a city of Amalek, evidently their largest camp, and laid wait in the valley, set an ambush before venturing an attack.
v. 6. And Saul said unto the Kenites, a small tribe of nomads friendly to Israel, with whom they had come up from the wilderness under the leadership of Hobab, Jdg_1:16, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them; for ye showed kindness to all the children of Israel when they came up out of Egypt, Num_10:29. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.
v. 7. And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, all along the southern boundary of Canaan, well into Arabia Petrea, that is over against, east of, Egypt.
v. 8. And he took Agag, the king of the Amalekites, alive and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword, so that the power of their confederation was broken for many years.
v. 9. But Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fatlings, those of the second brood, commonly considered the best, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them, taking them, instead, as their booty; but everything that was vile and refuse, which had little or no value, that they destroyed utterly. Partial obedience is equivalent to total disobedience, and such a course of action inevitably brings upon the transgressors God's punishment.