Thematic Bible




1 Samuel 15:1 (show verse)

Samuel told Saul, "The LORD sent me to anoint you king over his people, Israel. Now listen to the words of the LORD.

1 Samuel 15:2 (show verse)

This is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies says: "I'll punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, when he set himself against Israel in the way, as they were going up from Egypt.

1 Samuel 15:3 (show verse)

Now, go and attack Amalek. Completely destroy all that they have. Don't spare them, but put to death both man and woman, child and infant, both ox and sheep, camel and donkey.'"

1 Samuel 15:4 (show verse)

Saul summoned the people and mustered them in Telaim, 200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men from Judah.

1 Samuel 15:5 (show verse)

Saul came to the city of Amalek and set an ambush in the valley.

1 Samuel 15:6 (show verse)

Saul told the Kenites, "Withdraw from the Amalekites so that I don't destroy you with them, for you showed kindness to all the Israelis when they departed from Egypt." So the Kenites withdrew from the Amalekites.

1 Samuel 15:7 (show verse)

Saul attacked the Amalekites from Havilah to Shur, which is east of Egypt.

1 Samuel 15:8 (show verse)

He captured alive Agag king of Amalek, but he completely destroyed all the people, executing them with swords.

1 Samuel 15:9 (show verse)

Saul and the people spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle the fattened animals and lambs along with all that was good. They were not willing to completely destroy them, but they did completely destroy everything that was worthless and inferior.

1 Samuel 15:10 (show verse)

This message from the LORD came to Samuel:

1 Samuel 15:11 (show verse)

"I regret that I made Saul king, because he has turned away from following me and has not carried out my commands." Samuel was angry, and he cried out to the LORD all night.

1 Samuel 15:12 (show verse)

Samuel got up early in the morning to meet Saul, but Samuel was told, "Saul went up to Carmel to set up a monument for himself. Then he turned around and traveled on to Gilgal."

1 Samuel 15:13 (show verse)

Samuel approached Saul. "May the LORD bless you," Saul said. "I've carried out the LORD's command."

1 Samuel 15:14 (show verse)

Samuel said, "Then what is this bleating of sheep in my ears and the lowing of cattle that I hear?"

1 Samuel 15:15 (show verse)

Saul replied, "They brought them from the Amalekites. The people spared the best of the sheep and cattle to offer sacrifices to the LORD your God, and the rest they completely destroyed."

1 Samuel 15:16 (show verse)

"Be quiet!" Samuel said. "I'll tell you what the LORD told me last night." Saul told him, "Speak."

1 Samuel 15:17 (show verse)

So Samuel replied, "Is it not true that though you were small in your own eyes you became head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed you king over Israel?

1 Samuel 15:18 (show verse)

The LORD sent you on a mission: "Go and completely destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they're destroyed.'

1 Samuel 15:19 (show verse)

Why didn't you obey the LORD, but grabbed the spoil and did evil in the LORD's sight?"

1 Samuel 15:20 (show verse)

Saul told Samuel, "I did obey the LORD. I went on the mission on which the LORD sent me, I brought Agag king of Amalek, and I completely destroyed the Amalekites.

1 Samuel 15:21 (show verse)

The people took some of the spoil sheep, cattle, and the best of what was to be completely destroyed to sacrifice to the LORD your God at Gilgal."

1 Samuel 15:22 (show verse)

Samuel said, "Does the LORD delight as much in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the LORD? Surely, to obey is better than sacrifice, to pay attention is better than the fat of rams.
Amalekites » Defeated by saul
Amalekites, the » saul » Condemned for not utterly destroying
the Burnt offering » Obedience better than
Christian ministers » Expostulate with rulers » Samuel with saul
Church and state » Ecclesiastical power superior to civil » Reproves rulers
Delight » What the lord delights in
Delight » What the lord does not delight in
Desires » What the lord desires
Desires » What the lord does not desire
Falsehood » Instances of » Saul, in professing to samuel to have obeyed the commandment to destroy all spoils of the amalekites, when in fact he had not obeyed
Formalism » The insufficiency of
Gilgal » Place of the first encampment of the israelites west of the jordan river » An altar built at, and sacrifice offered
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Obedience » The obeying of the lord
Obedience » To God, the duty of » Better than sacrifice
Obedience to God » Better than sacrifice
Offerings » Useless when not accompanied by genuine piety
Offerings » Withheld see offerings; withheld » Insufficient to secure salvation
Presumption » Instances of » Sparing the amalekites
Religion » Formalism » The insufficiency of
Repentance » Instances of » Saul, at the rebuke of samuel for not destroying the amalekites
Reproof » Faithfulness in » Samuel, of saul
Requirements » What the lord does not require
Rulers' » Wicked » Instances of » Saul, sparing agag and the best of the booty
Sacrifice » What is better than sacrifice
Sacrifices » Insufficient to secure salvation
Sacrifices » Generally the best of their kind
Sacrifices » Without obedience, worthless
samuel » Life summarized » Courageous
saul » King of israel » Dedicates the spoils of war
Saul, king of israel » The man who lost a crown characteristics of » Disobedience
Self-righteousness » Instances of » saul
Self-will » Exemplified » King saul
Self-will and stubbornness » Exemplified » saul
Service » Test » King saul was condemned by it
Sheep » Males of, called rams

1 Samuel 15:23 (show verse)

Indeed, rebellion is the sin of divination, and arrogance is iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected this message from the LORD, he has rejected you from being king."
Amalekites » Defeated by saul
Amalekites, the » saul » Condemned for not utterly destroying
Christian ministers » Expostulate with rulers » Samuel with saul
Church and state » Ecclesiastical power superior to civil » Reproves rulers
Divination » An abominable practice
Falsehood » Instances of » Saul, in professing to samuel to have obeyed the commandment to destroy all spoils of the amalekites, when in fact he had not obeyed
Gilgal » Place of the first encampment of the israelites west of the jordan river » An altar built at, and sacrifice offered
Idolatry » What is idolatry
Iniquity » What is as iniquity
Judgments » Upon individuals--exemplified » saul
Kings » Who reigned over all israel » saul
Presumption » Instances of » Sparing the amalekites
Punishment of the The Wicked » On account of their » Rejection of the law of God
Rebellion » Against God, condemned
Rebellion » What rebellion is
Rebellion against God » Exemplified » saul
Rebellion against God » Exhibited in » Rejecting his government
Rebellion against God » Heinousness of
Rejected » Christ » The wicked, by God
Rejection » The reward for rejecting the lord
Repentance » Instances of » Saul, at the rebuke of samuel for not destroying the amalekites
Reprobacy » Instances of » saul
Reproof » Faithfulness in » Samuel, of saul
Rulers' » Wicked » Instances of » Saul, sparing agag and the best of the booty
samuel » Life summarized » Courageous
saul » King of israel » Dedicates the spoils of war
Saul, king of israel » The man who lost a crown characteristics of » Disobedience
Self-righteousness » Instances of » saul
Self-will » Exemplified » King saul
Self-will » Exhibited in » Heinousness of
Self-will and stubbornness » Exemplified » saul
Self-will and stubbornness » Heinousness of
Sorcery » Wickedness of
Stubbornness » What stubbornness is
The wicked » Causes of failure in » Rejection of, by God

1 Samuel 15:24 (show verse)

"I've sinned," Saul replied to Samuel. "I've broken the LORD's command and your word, because I was afraid of the people and listened to them.

1 Samuel 15:25 (show verse)

Now, please forgive my sin and return with me so I may worship the LORD."

1 Samuel 15:26 (show verse)

Samuel told Saul, "I won't return with you because you have rejected the message from the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel."

1 Samuel 15:27 (show verse)

As Samuel turned to go Saul seized him by the corner of his robe, and it tore.

1 Samuel 15:28 (show verse)

Samuel told him, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel away from you today, and he has given it to your neighbor who is better than you.

1 Samuel 15:29 (show verse)

Moreover, the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind, for he's not a man that he should change his mind."

1 Samuel 15:30 (show verse)

"I've sinned," Saul said. "But please honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me so I may worship the LORD your God."

1 Samuel 15:31 (show verse)

Samuel returned, following Saul, and Saul worshipped the LORD.

1 Samuel 15:32 (show verse)

Then Samuel said, "Bring Agag king of Amalek to me." Agag came to him in fetters, saying to himself, "Surely the bitterness of death is past."

1 Samuel 15:33 (show verse)

Samuel said, "Just as your sword has made women childless, so your mother will be childless among women." Then Samuel cut Agag into pieces in the LORD's presence in Gilgal.

1 Samuel 15:34 (show verse)

Then Samuel went to Ramah, and Saul went to his house in Gibeah of Saul.

1 Samuel 15:35 (show verse)

Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, but Samuel grieved over Saul, and the LORD regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.