King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 15:16 Mean?

1 Samuel 15:16 in the King James Version says “Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, S... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on.

1 Samuel 15:16 · KJV


Context

14

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

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.

16

Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on.

17

And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?

18

And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed. they: Heb. they consume them


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on.

Samuel's interruption - 'Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night' - announces prophetic revelation superseding royal excuse. The word 'Stay' (raphah, 'sink down' or 'let alone') commands Saul to stop his self-justification and listen. Samuel claims direct divine communication 'this night' - while Saul erected monuments, God spoke judgment. The authority of prophetic word over royal word establishes a fundamental principle: kings are accountable to God through His prophets.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The prophetic formula 'what the LORD hath said' claimed divine authority for the following words. Samuel's nighttime revelation established that prophets received God's verdicts before confronting kings. This pattern continued throughout Israelite monarchy.

Reflection Questions

  1. When do our excuses need to be interrupted by God's word?
  2. What is the proper response when prophetic correction cuts off self-justification?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיֹּ֥אמֶרוּ1 of 16

And he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שְׁמוּאֵל֙2 of 16

Then Samuel

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

אֶל3 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שָׁא֔וּל4 of 16

unto Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

הֶ֚רֶף5 of 16

Stay

H7503

to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)

וְאַגִּ֣ידָה6 of 16

and I will tell

H5046

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

לְּךָ֔7 of 16
H0
אֵת֩8 of 16
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר9 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

דַּבֵּֽר׃10 of 16

hath said

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

יְהוָ֛ה11 of 16

thee what the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֵלַ֖י12 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַלָּ֑יְלָה13 of 16

to me this night

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

וַיֹּ֥אמֶרוּ14 of 16

And he said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ל֖וֹ15 of 16
H0
דַּבֵּֽר׃16 of 16

hath said

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue


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 15:16 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 15:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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