King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 15:22 Mean?

1 Samuel 15:22 in the King James Version says “And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? ...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

1 Samuel 15:22 · KJV

Context

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.

23

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. witchcraft: Heb. divination

24

And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

Samuel's response contains one of Scripture's most important theological declarations: '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.' This is not rejection of sacrifice (which God commanded) but rejection of sacrifice as substitute for obedience. The Hebrew tov ('better') establishes priority: obedience comes first; sacrifice follows from obedient hearts. Religious ritual cannot compensate for fundamental disobedience.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This principle echoes throughout prophetic literature (Isaiah 1:11-17; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6-8; Amos 5:21-24). The prophets consistently taught that cultic activity divorced from covenant faithfulness was worthless. Samuel establishes the pattern later prophets would develop.

Reflection Questions

  1. What religious activities do you rely on that might substitute for fundamental obedience?
  2. How does 'to obey is better than sacrifice' apply to contemporary worship and service?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 16

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שְׁמוּאֵ֗ל2 of 16

“And Samuel”

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

הַחֵ֤פֶץ3 of 16

“as great delight”

H2656

pleasure; hence (abstractly) desire; concretely, a valuable thing; hence (by extension) a matter (as something in mind)

יְהוָ֑ה4 of 16

“Hath the LORD”

H3068

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

בְּעֹל֣וֹת5 of 16

“in burnt offerings”

H5930

a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)

מִזֶּ֣בַח6 of 16

“and sacrifices”

H2077

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

שְׁמֹ֙עַ֙7 of 16

“Behold to obey”

H8085

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

בְּק֣וֹל8 of 16

“the voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

יְהוָ֑ה9 of 16

“Hath the LORD”

H3068

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

הִנֵּ֤ה10 of 16
H2009

lo!

שְׁמֹ֙עַ֙11 of 16

“Behold to obey”

H8085

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

מִזֶּ֣בַח12 of 16

“and sacrifices”

H2077

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

ט֔וֹב13 of 16

“is better”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

לְהַקְשִׁ֖יב14 of 16

“and to hearken”

H7181

to prick up the ears, i.e., hearken

מֵחֵ֥לֶב15 of 16

“than the fat”

H2459

fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence, the richest or choice part

אֵילִֽים׃16 of 16

“of rams”

H352

properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree

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 15:22 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 15:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hosea 6:6Psalms 51:16-17Proverbs 21:3Amos 5:21-24Mark 12:33Matthew 9:13

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1 Samuel 15 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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