1 Samuel 15:16
New International Version
“Enough!” Samuel said to Saul. “Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night.” “Tell me,” Saul replied.

New Living Translation
Then Samuel said to Saul, “Stop! Listen to what the LORD told me last night!” “What did he tell you?” Saul asked.

English Standard Version
Then Samuel said to Saul, “Stop! I will tell you what the LORD said to me this night.” And he said to him, “Speak.”

Berean Standard Bible
“Stop!” exclaimed Samuel. “Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night.” “Tell me,” Saul replied.

King James Bible
Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on.

New King James Version
Then Samuel said to Saul, “Be quiet! And I will tell you what the LORD said to me last night.” And he said to him, “Speak on.”

New American Standard Bible
Then Samuel said to Saul, “Stop, and let me inform you of what the LORD said to me last night.” And he said to him, “Speak!”

NASB 1995
Then Samuel said to Saul, “Wait, and let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night.” And he said to him, “Speak!”

NASB 1977
Then Samuel said to Saul, “Wait, and let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night.” And he said to him, “Speak!”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Samuel said to Saul, “Wait, and let me tell you what Yahweh spoke to me last night.” And he said to him, “Speak!”

Amplified Bible
Then Samuel said to Saul, “Stop, and let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night.” Saul said to him, “Speak.”

Christian Standard Bible
“Stop! ” exclaimed Samuel. “Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night.” “Tell me,” he replied.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
“Stop!” exclaimed Samuel. “Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night.” “Tell me,” he replied.

American Standard Version
Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what Jehovah hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on.

Contemporary English Version
"Stop!" Samuel said. "Let me tell you what the LORD told me last night." "All right," Saul answered.

English Revised Version
Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Be quiet," Samuel told Saul, "and let me tell you what the LORD told me last night." "Speak," Saul replied.

Good News Translation
"Stop," Samuel ordered, "and I will tell you what the LORD said to me last night." "Tell me," Saul said.

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

Majority Standard Bible
?Stop!? exclaimed Samuel. ?Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night.? ?Tell me,? Saul replied.

NET Bible
Then Samuel said to Saul, "Wait a minute! Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night." Saul said to him, "Tell me."

New Heart English Bible
Then Samuel said to Saul, "Stay, and I will tell you what the LORD has said to me last night." He said to him, "Say on."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then Samuel said to Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said to him, Say on.

World English Bible
Then Samuel said to Saul, “Stay, and I will tell you what Yahweh said to me last night.” He said to him, “Say on.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Samuel says to Saul, “Desist, and I declare to you that which YHWH has spoken to me tonight”; and he says to him, “Speak.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Samuel saith unto Saul, 'Desist, and I declare to thee that which Jehovah hath spoken unto me to-night;' and he saith to him, 'Speak.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Samuel will say to Saul, Desist, and I will announce to thee what Jehovah spake to me by night. And they will say to him, Speak.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Samuel said to Saul: Suffer me, and I will tell thee what the Lord hath said to me this night. And he said to him: Speak.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Samuel said to Saul, “Permit me, and I will reveal to you what the Lord has said to me this night.” And he said to him, “Speak.”

New American Bible
Samuel said to Saul: “Stop! Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night.” “Speak!” he replied.

New Revised Standard Version
Then Samuel said to Saul, “Stop! I will tell you what the LORD said to me last night.” He replied, “Speak.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then Samuel said to Saul, Be still, and I will tell you what the LORD has said to me this night. And Saul said to him, Say on.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Shemueil said to Shaul: “Be quiet! I shall show you the thing that LORD JEHOVAH said to me in the night.” And Shaul said to him, “Speak.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then Samuel said unto Saul: 'Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night.' And he said unto him: 'Say on.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Samuel said to Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the Lord has said to me this night: and he said to him, Say on.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Samuel Denounces Saul
15Saul answered, “The troops brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the LORD your God, but the rest we devoted to destruction.” 16“Stop!” exclaimed Samuel. “Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night.” “Tell me,” Saul replied. 17And Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, have you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel…

Cross References
1 Samuel 13:13-14
“You have acted foolishly,” Samuel declared. “You have not kept the command that the LORD your God gave you; if you had, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. / But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler over His people, because you have not kept the command of the LORD.”

1 Samuel 28:17-18
He has done exactly what He spoke through me: The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor David. / Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out His burning anger against Amalek, the LORD has done this to you today.

1 Samuel 12:14-15
If you fear the LORD and serve Him and obey His voice, and if you do not rebel against the command of the LORD, and if both you and the king who rules over you follow the LORD your God, then all will be well. / But if you disobey the LORD and rebel against His command, then the hand of the LORD will be against you as it was against your fathers.

1 Samuel 16:1
Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.”

1 Samuel 28:18
Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out His burning anger against Amalek, the LORD has done this to you today.

2 Samuel 12:7-9
Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. / I gave your master’s house to you and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you the house of Israel and Judah, and if that was not enough, I would have given you even more. / Why then have you despised the command of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You put Uriah the Hittite to the sword and took his wife as your own. You have slain him with the sword of the Ammonites.

Hosea 6:6
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

Jeremiah 7:22-23
For when I brought your fathers out of the land of Egypt, I did not merely command them about burnt offerings and sacrifices, / but this is what I commanded them: Obey Me, and I will be your God, and you will be My people. You must walk in all the ways I have commanded you, so that it may go well with you.

Isaiah 1:11-14
“What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. / When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts? / Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. ...

Psalm 51:16-17
For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings. / The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

Acts 13:21-22
Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. / After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’

Matthew 12:7
If only you had known the meaning of ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent.

Mark 12:33
and to love Him with all your heart and with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. This is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

Hebrews 10:8-9
In the passage above He says, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings You did not desire, nor did You delight in them” (although they are offered according to the law). / Then He adds, “Here I am, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away the first to establish the second.

Romans 2:13
For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous.


Treasury of Scripture

Then Samuel said to Saul, Stay, and I will tell you what the LORD has said to me this night. And he said to him, Say on.

Stay

1 Samuel 9:27
And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on,) but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.

1 Samuel 12:7
Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of all the righteous acts of the LORD, which he did to you and to your fathers.

1 Kings 22:16
And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou tell me nothing but that which is true in the name of the LORD?

Jump to Previous
Declare Desist Last Night Samuel Saul Speak Stop To-Night Wait Word
Jump to Next
Declare Desist Last Night Samuel Saul Speak Stop To-Night Wait Word
1 Samuel 15
1. Samuel sends Saul to destroy Amalek
6. Saul favors the Kenites
7. He spares Agag and the best of the spoil
10. Samuel denounces unto Saul God's rejection of him for his disobedience
24. Saul's humiliation
32. Samuel kills Agag
34. Samuel and Saul part














"Stop!" exclaimed Samuel.
Samuel, the last judge and a prophet of Israel, is addressing King Saul. This command to "Stop!" signifies a moment of divine intervention and authority. Samuel, as God's spokesperson, is about to deliver a message of great importance. The urgency in his voice reflects the seriousness of Saul's disobedience. This moment is pivotal, as it marks a turning point in Saul's reign. The use of "Stop!" indicates a halt to Saul's actions and a call to listen to God's word, reminiscent of other biblical moments where God intervenes directly, such as when God speaks to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3).

"Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night."
Samuel is about to convey a direct revelation from God, emphasizing the prophetic role he plays. The phrase "last night" suggests that God communicated with Samuel in a vision or dream, a common method of divine communication in the Old Testament (Numbers 12:6). This highlights the immediacy and relevance of the message. The context here is Saul's failure to completely destroy the Amalekites as God commanded, which is a test of Saul's obedience. The LORD's message is a response to Saul's incomplete obedience, which is seen as rebellion against God's command.

"Tell me," Saul replied.
Saul's response, "Tell me," indicates a willingness to hear Samuel's message, though it may also reflect a lack of awareness of the gravity of his disobedience. Saul's openness to hear the message contrasts with his previous actions, where he rationalized his disobedience by sparing King Agag and the best of the livestock (1 Samuel 15:9). This moment foreshadows the impending judgment and rejection of Saul as king. Saul's reply can be seen as a moment of tension, as he is about to receive a message that will have significant consequences for his kingship and Israel's future.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Samuel
A prophet and judge of Israel, Samuel is a key figure in the transition from the period of judges to the establishment of the monarchy. He is known for his obedience to God and his role in anointing the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David.

2. Saul
The first king of Israel, Saul was chosen by God but later rejected due to his disobedience. His reign is marked by initial success but eventual downfall due to his failure to fully obey God's commands.

3. The LORD
The covenant God of Israel, who communicates His will through prophets like Samuel. His instructions are clear and require complete obedience.

4. Amalekites
A nomadic tribe that was a longstanding enemy of Israel. God commanded Saul to completely destroy them as a judgment for their past sins against Israel.

5. Gilgal
A significant location in Israel's history, often associated with renewal and covenant. It is here that Samuel confronts Saul about his disobedience.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Obedience
God desires complete obedience to His commands. Partial obedience or rationalizing disobedience is not acceptable to God.

Listening to God’s Voice
Like Samuel, we must be attentive to God's voice and willing to convey His messages, even when they are difficult.

Consequences of Disobedience
Saul's account serves as a warning that disobedience can lead to severe consequences, including the loss of God's favor and leadership.

God’s Sovereignty and Justice
God's commands, even when difficult to understand, are rooted in His justice and sovereignty. Trusting His wisdom is crucial.

Repentance and Accountability
When confronted with sin, genuine repentance and accountability are necessary. Saul's failure to fully repent led to his downfall.(16) Stay, and I will tell thee . . .--The king was probably turning away, desirous of closing an interview which to him was full of bitterness, when he was arrested

by the solemn words, and probably by the commanding gesture, of his old friend and counsellor, who now addressed him with the majesty and power of an accredited servant of the Most High.

Verse 16. - Stay. Samuel will hear no more. Long as he had striven for him in prayer (ver. 11), he now feels that Saul has fallen too low for recovery to be possible. This night. It is plain from this that Samuel had not gone to meet Saul at Carmel, but on receiving information of his movements had proceeded straight to Gilgal, distant from Ramah about fifteen miles.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Stop!”
הֶ֚רֶף (he·rep̄)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7503: Sink, relax

exclaimed
וַיֹּ֤אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

Samuel.
שְׁמוּאֵל֙ (šə·mū·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8050: Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israel

“Let me tell
וְאַגִּ֣ידָה (wə·’ag·gî·ḏāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

you what
אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

the LORD
יְהוָ֛ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

said
דִּבֶּ֧ר (dib·ber)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

to me
אֵלַ֖י (’ê·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

last night.”
הַלָּ֑יְלָה (hal·lā·yə·lāh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity

“Tell me,”
דַּבֵּֽר׃ (dab·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

Saul replied.
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say


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OT History: 1 Samuel 15:16 Then Samuel said to Saul Stay (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 15:15
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