King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 15:17 Mean?

1 Samuel 15:17 in the King James Version says “And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the ...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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?”

1 Samuel 15:17 · KJV

Context

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

19

Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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?

Samuel's rhetorical question - 'When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel?' - recalls Saul's earlier humility (9:21; 10:22). Being 'little in thine own sight' (qatan) described Saul's self-assessment when God chose him. The LORD's anointing responded to this humility. By implication, Saul is no longer 'little in his own sight' - his monument-building suggests the opposite. Growth in position produced growth in self-importance that undermined the humility God honored.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Saul's initial humility impressed Samuel and was part of why God chose him. His tribe (Benjamin) was smallest; his family was 'least' in the tribe. This external smallness reflected internal humility that qualified him for elevation. That qualification no longer applies.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does growth in position sometimes destroy the humility that qualified us for that position?
  2. What happens when leaders become great in their own sight?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 16

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שְׁמוּאֵ֔ל2 of 16

“And Samuel”

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

הֲל֗וֹא3 of 16
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

אִם4 of 16
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

קָטֹ֤ן5 of 16

“When thou wast little”

H6996

abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)

אַתָּה֙6 of 16
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

בְּעֵינֶ֔יךָ7 of 16

“in thine own sight”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

רֹ֛אשׁ8 of 16

“wast thou not made the head”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

שִׁבְטֵ֥י9 of 16

“of the tribes”

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃10 of 16

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אָ֑תָּה11 of 16
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וַיִּמְשָֽׁחֲךָ֧12 of 16

“anointed”

H4886

to rub with oil, i.e., to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint

יְהוָ֛ה13 of 16

“and the LORD”

H3068

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

לְמֶ֖לֶךְ14 of 16

“thee king”

H4428

a king

עַל15 of 16
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃16 of 16

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

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 15:17 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 15:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 10:221 Samuel 15:1-31 Samuel 9:211 Samuel 10:1Judges 6:15Matthew 18:4

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