Comments on 1 Samuel 15 v1-3 Samuel approaches Saul and commissions him to fulfill the prediction of Ex. 17:14, namely to utterly annihilate the Amalekites. Especially note how explicit the command in v. 3 is to utterly kill all living things. v4-9 Saul summons together a large force and goes down and sacks Amalek. Only he doesn't do as Samuel says. He keeps the Amalekite king alive and all of the best flocks and herds. While Saul had previously done some rather stupid things which could have been honest, but dumb, mistakes, here we have an act of deliberate rebellion. v6 I would guess the kindness referenced here for which the Kenites are spared is related to the substance of Judges 1:16 and Judges 4:17, from which we are informed that Moses had married a Kenite woman, as well as Jael's killing of Sisera, Jael being the wife of a Kenite and possibly a Kenite herself. v10-11 The Lord voices His disgust over Saul's rebellion. Note the JST on v. 11 appearing in the footnotes of the LDS Edition KJV changes the meaning of the verse considerably. v12 "he set him up a place", better translated to "he erected a monument for himself". Saul's pride is growing into egomania. v13-33 We have here a classic case of flattery, deceit, false justification, and threats in an effort to cover up sin and maintain power. This kind of behavior is exhibited every day by prideful self-promoters who are unrepentant. When Samuel and Saul meet, Saul tries to flatter Samuel and then puts in him such a position that he must contradict him by exclaiming that he has obeyed the Lord (v. 13). In doing so Saul hopes to flatter Samuel and put him in an uncomfortable position so as to avoid the issue of rebellion. Samuel, not impressed by flatter and not afraid to contradict Saul, questions his veracity by pointing out that there are Amalekite sheep around (v. 14). Saul then blames it on "they...the people" refusing to acknowledge his role in the matter, and then goes on to attempt to falsely justify it by saying they are intended for a sacrifice to the Lord (v. 15). Samuel is not impressed by Saul's sophistry, and insists that he stop it. He then goes on to inform Saul what the Lord has said on the matter (v. 16). Samuel points out to Saul that it is the Lord who has made him great, and not himself, thereby attacking Saul's pride (v. 17). He then reviews the command to annihilate the Amalekites, and accuses Saul of being after the spoils of war and therefore defying the Lord (v. 18-19). Saul keeps on demanding the he was obedient to the commands of the Lord and it was the people, not him, who took the spoils, and he still insists that it was for a sacrifice to the Lord (v. 20-21). Even if that was the original intent, and the text suggests that it was not at all, they would still get to eat part of the sacrifice, where if it were proscribed they would not have been allowed to eat it. Furthermore, Saul contradicts himself by admitting that he kept Agag alive. So, Saul's deceit has clouded his own mind to the point where he cannot even be rational. Samuel's reply is the famous "to obey is better than sacrifice" quote which equates rebellion with idolatry. He then condemns Saul, and announces his kingship revoked by the Lord (v. 22-23). Once Saul hears the kingship has been revoked he suddenly confesses he is a sinner and begs Samuel to forgive him and continue on with him (v. 24-25). Saul is not realizing that Samuel is only the spokesman for the Lord and it is the Lord who has cut him off, so he is trying to persuade Samuel. Also note in his supposed confession of sin, he is still blaming it on the people, saying that he was afraid of them so they made him do it. Thus, the only sin he imputes to himself is capitulation under pressure. Samuel rejects this false apology and points out to Saul that it is the Lord, not himself, that has rejected Saul. As Samuel goes to leave, Saul grabs him forcefully enough to tear his robe, suggesting at least anger and frustration on Saul's part and possibly the threat of violence (v. 27). Samuel is not intimidated by this act and goes on to say that the kingdom has been torn from Saul just as Saul has torn his robe (v. 28). He then goes on to inform Saul again that the matter is not his to decide, but is the decision of the Lord and the Lord is not persuaded in the manner that Saul has attempted to persuade Samuel (v. 29). Implicit in v. 29 is the accusation that Saul is a liar, as he points out the God is not a liar who changes his story to suit his needs. This time Saul confesses, apparently honestly, that he was wrong and he again asks that Samuel return with him (v. 30). Samuel relents, and Saul does humble himself before the Lord (v. 31). However, Samuel goes on to humiliate Saul by executing Agag on the spot, which Saul should have done before, on the accusation of being a murderer (v. 32-33). Saul and Samuel then permanently part company, and Samuel and the Lord lament Saul's fall from grace (v. 34-35). v22 Compare Numbers 23:19, Ps. 40:6, Ps. 51:16-17, Isa. 1:11-15, Isa. 66:1-3, Jer. 7:22-23,Micah 6:3-8. v32 "Surely the bitterness of death is past", the Hebrew here is obscure, the JPS renders it "Ah, bitter death is at hand". v33 "Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord", I would take this to mean that Samuel was acting as the Lord's judge when he executed Agag, and that he had the Lord's approval for doing so. It may also indicate it occurred before the Ark of the Covenant, as Saul apparently had the Ark with him cf. 14:18. 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