Study notes

1 Samuel 15

Introducing 1 SamuelWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

13:1–15:35 Section

As Israel’s king, Saul made foolish decisions. He disobeyed God’s instructions about sacrificing animals at Gilgal. He did this because he was afraid. He thought he needed a large army to have victory in war.

He made his soldiers promise to go without food on the day of battle. He thought that fasting would give them favour with God in the battle. Yet none of those things mattered for their victory. Nor did it matter that the Israelites didn’t have weapons. God caused the Philistines to panic. This allowed the Israelites to have victory.

After that Saul was committed to carrying out his foolish promise to kill Jonathan. This was like Jephthah’s foolish promise after winning a battle (Judges 11:30–40). But Saul’s soldiers had wisdom and were brave. They kept Saul from putting Jonathan to death.

Later, Saul didn’t fully obey God’s command about the Amalekites. They were to be set apart for God and completely destroyed. This was how God would bring judgement against the Amalekites. Instead, Saul kept many of their animals and allowed the king to live. All of these things showed that Saul was a foolish and proud king. He didn’t obey God’s commands about how kings should rule. He didn’t help the people to be faithful to God.

God was very sad about this and Samuel was very sad and angry. Samuel made it clear that Saul wouldn’t continue to be king over God’s people. This didn’t mean that Saul stopped ruling right away. It meant that the sons that came after Saul wouldn’t be kings. Someone from another family line would become king instead.

15:1–35

After Saul disobeyed God by not completely destroying the Amalekites, God rejected him more strongly than before (see 1 Samuel 13:8–14).

15:2

LORD of Hosts: See study note on 1 Samuel 1:3.

I witnessed: In the time of Moses, the nation of Amalek lived in southern Judah and the Negev area south of Judah. As Israel traveled to Canaan, the Amalekites attacked the sick, weak, and those at the back of the group. They were the first to attack Israel after the exodus from Egypt, for which God had promised to judge them (Exodus 17:8–16; Deuteronomy 25:17–19).

15:3

devote to destruction: See "Complete Dedication" Theme Note.

15:4

Telaim: This might be the same as Telem (see Joshua 15:24).

15:5

The unnamed town in the valley was near a Negev wadi (a dry streambed that fills with water only when it rains).

15:6

The Kenites were wandering metalworkers and descendants of the father-in-law of Moses (Judges 1:16).
You showed kindness: See Exodus 18; Numbers 10:29–32.

15:7

The area where the Amalekites lived stretched from Havilah in northern Sinai to Shur near the eastern border of Egypt.

15:8

Agag was likely a descendant of an earlier king with the same name (see Numbers 24:7; compare Esther 3:1).

15:9

Saul and his men ignored the Lord's order to devote the Amalekites to destruction (1 Samuel 15:3). Even though the whole army disobeyed God's command, Saul was responsible as their leader.

15:12

Carmel was a town near Hebron in southern Judah.
Saul celebrated his achievements by building a monument to himself, but he actually deserved shame (1 Samuel 15:16–19).
Gilgal: See 1 Samuel 13:4.

15:13

I have carried out the LORD’s instructions: Compare with 1 Samuel 15:3. Saul believed his actions were justified (1 Samuel 15:15; compare with Leviticus 22:19). However, Samuel exposed Saul’s false excuse (1 Samuel 15:17–19). Samuel then carried out God’s command himself (1 Samuel 15:32–33).

15:15

Saul blamed the army even though he was the commander. His true motivation was not spiritual (1 Samuel 15:9).

15:17

As the anointed king of Israel, Saul was responsible for disobeying God. False humility or excuses could not lessen this responsibility.

15:21

The troops: Saul kept blaming others (see 1 Samuel 15:15).
Gilgal was a religious center. Saul tried to use religion to excuse disobeying God.

15:22

Does the LORD delight: God values obedience more than ritual acts (see also Psalm 40:6; Hosea 6:6; Matthew 12:7).
the fat of rams: People offered the best parts of the animal to God.

15:23

Rebellion … and arrogance: These sins of the heart are as bad as the sinful practices of idol-worshipping pagans.
Scripture condemns witchcraft (see study note on Deuteronomy 18:10).

15:24

I feared the people: Saul kept blaming others (see 1 Samuel 15:15, 21).
obeyed their voice: The chapter does not suggest any pressure from them. Saul’s confession seems dishonest (compare with David, 2 Samuel 12:13; Psalm 51).

15:24–30

Saul admitted his wrongdoing, but it was too late and he still made excuses.

15:28

Saul soon found out who the other person was (1 Samuel 18:8–9; compare with chapter 16).

15:29

does not lie or change His mind: Samuel spoke about God's promise to make David king and protect his family line. God had rejected Saul, but he would never reject David (see 2 Samuel 7:8–17).

15:30

honor me now before the elders: To help Saul maintain his dignity.

15:35

The verb phrase mourned usually means grieving over someone's death. Although Saul was still alive, his rule as king was ending. Samuel might have been grieving due to personal attachment to Saul, feeling like he failed, or worrying that Israel's situation would worsen.
the LORD regretted: See “God’s Change of Mind” Theme Note.

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources