King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 15:12 Mean?

1 Samuel 15:12 in the King James Version says “And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal.

1 Samuel 15:12 · KJV


Context

10

Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying,

11

It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.

12

And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal.

13

And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD.

14

And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal.

Samuel rises early to meet Saul but learns the king 'is gone to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place.' The Hebrew yad ('place' or literally 'hand') probably refers to a monument or memorial. While Samuel grieved all night, Saul erected a victory monument to himself. The geographic note that he 'is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal' traces Saul's movements focused on self-commemoration rather than completing divine commands. Saul celebrates victory; Samuel brings judgment.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Victory monuments were common ancient Near Eastern practice - stone markers commemorating military achievements. Carmel (not Mount Carmel but a town in Judah) was near the battle site. Gilgal, where Saul's unlawful sacrifice occurred (chapter 13), ironically becomes the site of his rejection.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does self-commemoration conflict with faithful obedience?
  2. What does the contrast between Samuel's night of prayer and Saul's monument-building reveal?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֧ם1 of 19

rose early

H7925

literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning

לִשְׁמוּאֵ֜ל2 of 19

And when Samuel

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

לִקְרַ֥את3 of 19

to meet

H7125

an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)

שָׁא֤וּל4 of 19

Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

בַּבֹּ֑קֶר5 of 19

in the morning

H1242

properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning

וַיֻּגַּ֨ד6 of 19

it was told

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

לִשְׁמוּאֵ֜ל7 of 19

And when Samuel

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

לֵאמֹ֗ר8 of 19

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בָּֽא9 of 19

came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

שָׁא֤וּל10 of 19

Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

הַכַּרְמֶ֙לָה֙11 of 19

to Carmel

H3760

karmel, the name of a hill and of a town in palestine

וְהִנֵּ֨ה12 of 19
H2009

lo!

מַצִּ֥יב13 of 19

and behold he set him up

H5324

to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively)

לוֹ֙14 of 19
H0
יָ֔ד15 of 19

a place

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וַיִּסֹּב֙16 of 19

and is gone about

H5437

to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively

וַֽיַּעֲבֹ֔ר17 of 19

and passed on

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

וַיֵּ֖רֶד18 of 19

and gone down

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

הַגִּלְגָּֽל׃19 of 19

to Gilgal

H1537

gilgal, the name of three places in palestine


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 15:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 15:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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