King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 15:18 Mean?

1 Samuel 15:18 in the King James Version says “And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

1 Samuel 15:18 · KJV

Context

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?

20

And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.

Read 1 Samuel 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

Samuel recounts the mission: '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.' Three elements emphasize completeness: 'utterly destroy' (charam), 'fight against them,' and 'until they be consumed.' The Amalekites are labeled 'sinners' - their destruction was divine judgment, not arbitrary violence. Saul's role was executioner of divine verdict. The command left no room for the selective obedience Saul practiced.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Hebrew charam ('utterly destroy' or 'devote to destruction') described holy war where everything was dedicated to God through destruction. Captured spoil belonged to the LORD, not the victors. Taking spoil from charam warfare was stealing from God.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding commands as divine judgment affect our willingness to obey completely?
  2. What is at stake when we modify clear divine instructions?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַיִּשְׁלָֽחֲךָ֥1 of 15

“sent”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

יְהוָ֖ה2 of 15

“And the LORD”

H3068

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

בְּדָ֑רֶךְ3 of 15

“thee on a journey”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר4 of 15

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לֵ֣ךְ5 of 15
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וְהַֽחֲרַמְתָּ֞ה6 of 15

“and utterly destroy”

H2763

to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction); physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose

אֶת7 of 15
H853

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

הַֽחַטָּאִים֙8 of 15

“the sinners”

H2400

a criminal, or one accounted guilty

אֶת9 of 15
H853

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

עֲמָלֵ֔ק10 of 15

“the Amalekites”

H6002

amalek, a descendant of esau; also his posterity and their country

וְנִלְחַמְתָּ֣11 of 15

“and fight”

H3898

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

ב֔וֹ12 of 15
H0
עַ֥ד13 of 15
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

כַּלּוֹתָ֖ם14 of 15

“against them until they be consumed”

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

אֹתָֽם׃15 of 15
H853

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

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 15:18 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 15:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 16:38Genesis 13:13Genesis 15:16Job 31:3Proverbs 10:29Proverbs 13:21

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