King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 15:32 Mean?

1 Samuel 15:32 in the King James Version says “Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag sai...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.”

1 Samuel 15:32 · KJV

Context

30

Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God.

31

So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the LORD.

32

Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.

33

And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.

34

Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul.

Read 1 Samuel 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.

Samuel commands: 'Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites.' Agag comes 'delicately' (ma'adannoth) - the Hebrew suggests either 'cheerfully' (thinking he has escaped death) or 'in fetters' (bound as a prisoner). His statement 'Surely the bitterness of death is past' indicates he believed his life spared. Agag's premature relief demonstrates that human mercy toward those under divine judgment merely postpones, not prevents, the inevitable. What Saul failed to do, Samuel will complete.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Hebrew ma'adannoth is difficult to translate. Some render it 'in chains,' others 'cheerfully' or 'comfortably.' Agag's words suggest he believed the danger had passed - a reasonable assumption after days of survival following his capture.

Reflection Questions

  1. What false security comes from temporary escape from consequences?
  2. How does delayed judgment sometimes produce false confidence?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 18

“Then said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שְׁמוּאֵ֗ל2 of 18

“Samuel”

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

הַגִּ֤ישׁוּ3 of 18

“Bring ye hither”

H5066

to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious to worship; causati

אֵלַי֙4 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶת5 of 18
H853

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

אֲגָ֔ג6 of 18

“And Agag”

H90

agag, a title of amalekitish kings

מֶ֣לֶךְ7 of 18

“the king”

H4428

a king

עֲמָלֵ֔ק8 of 18

“of the Amalekites”

H6002

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

וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ9 of 18
H1980

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

אֵלָ֔יו10 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֲגָ֔ג11 of 18

“And Agag”

H90

agag, a title of amalekitish kings

מַֽעֲדַנֹּ֑ת12 of 18

“unto him delicately”

H4574

a delicacy or (abstractly) pleasure (adverbially, cheerfully)

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר13 of 18

“Then said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲגָ֔ג14 of 18

“And Agag”

H90

agag, a title of amalekitish kings

אָכֵ֖ן15 of 18

“Surely”

H403

firmly; figuratively, surely; also (adversative) but

סָ֥ר16 of 18

“is past”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

מַר17 of 18

“the bitterness”

H4751

bitter (literally or figuratively); also (as noun) bitterness, or (adverbially) bitterly

הַמָּֽוֶת׃18 of 18

“of death”

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

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 15:32 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 15:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Revelation 18:71 Thessalonians 5:3Jeremiah 48:44

Places in This Verse

AmalekRegion · Modern: Ain el Qudeirat · 30.65°N, 34.42°E28 verses across 8 books
View all places in 1 Samuel 15 →

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