King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 15:20 Mean?

1 Samuel 15:20 in the King James Version says “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 h... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

1 Samuel 15:20 · KJV


Context

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.

21

But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.

22

And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

Saul's defense reveals deepening self-deception: 'Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD.' He insists on his obedience despite Samuel's confrontation. His evidence: 'have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.' Each claim is technically true yet collectively false. He went on the mission, captured Agag, and destroyed most Amalekites - but bringing Agag alive and keeping livestock violated the core command. Partial obedience claims full credit.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Saul's defense strategy - listing what he did accomplish - reflects a transactional understanding of obedience. Ancient Near Eastern vassal treaties, however, required complete compliance. Partial fulfillment of a suzerain's command was still rebellion.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does listing partial accomplishments obscure fundamental failure?
  2. What is the difference between obedience that satisfies us and obedience that satisfies God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 21

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שָׁא֜וּל2 of 21

And Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

אֶל3 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שְׁמוּאֵ֗ל4 of 21

unto Samuel

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

אֲשֶׁ֤ר5 of 21
H834

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

שָׁמַ֙עְתִּי֙6 of 21

Yea I have obeyed

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

בְּק֣וֹל7 of 21

the voice

H6963

a voice or sound

יְהוָ֑ה8 of 21

of the LORD

H3068

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

וָֽאֵלֵ֕ךְ9 of 21
H1980

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

בַּדֶּ֖רֶךְ10 of 21

the way

H1870

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

אֲשֶׁר11 of 21
H834

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

שְׁלָחַ֣נִי12 of 21

sent

H7971

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

יְהוָ֑ה13 of 21

of the LORD

H3068

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

וָֽאָבִ֗יא14 of 21

me and have brought

H935

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

אֶת15 of 21
H853

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

אֲגַג֙16 of 21

Agag

H90

agag, a title of amalekitish kings

מֶ֣לֶךְ17 of 21

the king

H4428

a king

עֲמָלֵ֖ק18 of 21

of Amalek

H6002

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

וְאֶת19 of 21
H853

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

עֲמָלֵ֖ק20 of 21

of Amalek

H6002

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

הֶֽחֱרַֽמְתִּי׃21 of 21

and have utterly destroyed

H2763

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


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 15:20 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 15:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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