and sent you on a mission, saying, 'Go and devote to destruction the sinful Amalekites. Fight against them until you have wiped them out.' and sent you on a missionThis phrase refers to God's direct command to King Saul through the prophet Samuel. In the biblical context, a mission from God is a divine mandate that carries significant weight and responsibility. The concept of being sent on a mission by God is seen throughout Scripture, such as in the Great Commission ( Matthew 28:19-20) where Jesus sends His disciples to spread the Gospel. This mission for Saul was a test of obedience and faithfulness to God's commands. saying, ‘Go and devote to destruction
The term "devote to destruction" is translated from the Hebrew word "herem," which means to completely destroy or consecrate something to God by destroying it. This was a common practice in ancient warfare, especially in the context of holy wars, where the spoils of war were not to be taken for personal gain but were to be destroyed as an offering to God. This command highlights the seriousness of God's judgment against sin and the need for complete obedience. the sinful Amalekites.
The Amalekites were a nomadic tribe that were long-standing enemies of Israel. Their sinfulness is noted in their unprovoked attack on the Israelites as they came out of Egypt (Exodus 17:8-16). God declared perpetual war against them, and their destruction was a fulfillment of that divine judgment. The Amalekites symbolize persistent sin and opposition to God's people, and their destruction serves as a warning against allowing sin to persist. Fight against them until you have wiped them out.
This command for total annihilation underscores the completeness of God's judgment. It reflects the idea that partial obedience is disobedience. Saul's failure to fully carry out this command led to his rejection as king (1 Samuel 15:23). This phrase also foreshadows the ultimate victory over sin and evil through Jesus Christ, who will one day completely eradicate sin and establish His eternal kingdom (Revelation 21:4). Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORDThe sovereign God of Israel, who commands and guides His people. 2. SamuelThe prophet who conveys God's message to Saul, the first king of Israel. 3. SaulThe first king of Israel, chosen by God, who is given the mission to destroy the Amalekites. 4. AmalekitesA nomadic tribe, historically enemies of Israel, known for their opposition to God's people. 5. MissionThe divine command given to Saul to execute God's judgment on the Amalekites. Teaching Points Obedience to God's CommandsGod's instructions are clear and require full obedience. Partial obedience is disobedience. The Consequences of DisobedienceSaul's failure to fully execute God's command led to his rejection as king. Disobedience has serious consequences. God's Sovereignty and JusticeGod’s command to destroy the Amalekites reflects His justice and sovereignty. He judges nations and individuals according to His righteous standards. The Importance of Listening to God’s VoiceLike Saul, we are called to listen and act on God’s word. Ignoring His voice leads to spiritual downfall. The Role of Prophets and LeadersSamuel’s role as a prophet was to guide and correct. Spiritual leaders today are called to uphold God’s truth and guide others in obedience. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Saul's mission to destroy the Amalekites reflect God's justice and sovereignty? 2. In what ways can partial obedience in our lives lead to consequences similar to those Saul faced? 3. How can we ensure that we are listening to and obeying God's voice in our daily decisions? 4. What role do spiritual leaders play in guiding us towards obedience, and how can we support them in this role? 5. How does the account of Saul and the Amalekites challenge us to trust in God's timing and justice, especially when dealing with our own "enemies"? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 17:8-16This passage recounts the first encounter between Israel and the Amalekites, where God promises to blot out the memory of Amalek. Deuteronomy 25:17-19God commands Israel to remember what Amalek did and to destroy them when they have rest from their enemies. 1 Samuel 15:22-23Samuel's rebuke of Saul for his disobedience highlights the importance of obedience over sacrifice. Romans 12:19This verse emphasizes leaving vengeance to God, aligning with the idea that God’s commands are just and purposeful. People Agag, Amalek, Amalekites, Havilah, Israelites, Kenites, Samuel, SaulPlaces Amalek, Carmel, Edom, Egypt, Gibeah, Gilgal, Ramah, Shur Desert, TelaimTopics Amalekite, Amalekites, Amal'ekites, Completely, Consumed, Curse, Dead, Destroy, Devoted, Exterminated, Fight, Fighting, Fought, Hast, Journey, Mission, Saying, Sinners, Till, Utterly, War, Wicked, WipedDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 15:18 6040 sinners 1 Samuel 15:1-23 8752 false worship 1 Samuel 15:12-26 5926 rebuke 1 Samuel 15:13-21 8824 self-righteousness, nature of 1 Samuel 15:18-19 6691 mercy, human 1 Samuel 15:18-20 7741 missionaries, task Library Saul Rejected
'Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying, 11. It repenteth Me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following Me, and hath not performed My commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the Lord all night. 12. And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal. 13. And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureLetter iv to the Prior and Monks of the Grand Chartreuse
To the Prior and Monks of the Grand Chartreuse He commends himself to their prayers. To the very dear Lord and Reverend father Guigues, Prior of the Grande Chartreuse, and to the holy brethren who are with him, Brother Bernard of Clairvaux offers his humble service. In the first place, when lately I approached your parts, I was prevented by unfavourable circumstances from coming to see you and to make your acquaintance; and although my excuse may perhaps be satisfactory to you, I am not able, I confess, …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux Confession of Sin --A Sermon with Seven Texts
The Hardened Sinner. PHARAOH--"I have sinned."--Exodus 9:27. I. The first case I shall bring before you is that of the HARDENED SINNER, who, when under terror, says, "I have sinned." And you will find the text in the book of Exodus, the 9th chap. and 27th verse: "And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked." But why this confession from the lips of the haughty tyrant? He was not often wont to …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857 Obedience
Take heed, and hearken, O Israel; this day thou art become the people of the Lord thy God. Thou shalt therefore obey the voice of the Lord thy God, and do his commandments.' Deut 27: 9, 10. What is the duty which God requireth of man? Obedience to his revealed will. It is not enough to hear God's voice, but we must obey. Obedience is a part of the honour we owe to God. If then I be a Father, where is my honour?' Mal 1: 6. Obedience carries in it the life-blood of religion. Obey the voice of the Lord …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments That the Ruler Should Be, through Humility, a Companion of Good Livers, But, through the Zeal of Righteousness, Rigid against the vices of Evildoers.
The ruler should be, through humility, a companion of good livers, and, through the zeal of righteousness, rigid against the vices of evil-doers; so that in nothing he prefer himself to the good, and yet, when the fault of the bad requires it, he be at once conscious of the power of his priority; to the end that, while among his subordinates who live well he waives his rank and accounts them as his equals, he may not fear to execute the laws of rectitude towards the perverse. For, as I remember to …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Truth of God
The next attribute is God's truth. A God of truth and without iniquity; just and right is he.' Deut 32:4. For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.' Psa 57:10. Plenteous in truth.' Psa 86:15. I. God is the truth. He is true in a physical sense; true in his being: he has a real subsistence, and gives a being to others. He is true in a moral sense; he is true sine errore, without errors; et sine fallacia, without deceit. God is prima veritas, the pattern and prototype …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Blessed are they that Mourn
Blessed are they that mourn. Matthew 5:4 Here are eight steps leading to true blessedness. They may be compared to Jacob's Ladder, the top whereof reached to heaven. We have already gone over one step, and now let us proceed to the second: Blessed are they that mourn'. We must go through the valley of tears to paradise. Mourning were a sad and unpleasant subject to treat on, were it not that it has blessedness going before, and comfort coming after. Mourning is put here for repentance. It implies …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 The New Covenant.
"Now in the things which we are saying the chief point is this: We have such a High-priest, Who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. For every high-priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is necessary that this High-priest also have somewhat to offer. Now if He were on earth, He would not be a Priest at all, seeing there are those who offer …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews How Christ is the Way in General, "I am the Way. "
We come now to speak more particularly to the words; and, first, Of his being a way. Our design being to point at the way of use-making of Christ in all our necessities, straits, and difficulties which are in our way to heaven; and particularly to point out the way how believers should make use of Christ in all their particular exigencies; and so live by faith in him, walk in him, grow up in him, advance and march forward toward glory in him. It will not be amiss to speak of this fulness of Christ …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Samuel 15:18 NIV1 Samuel 15:18 NLT1 Samuel 15:18 ESV1 Samuel 15:18 NASB1 Samuel 15:18 KJV
1 Samuel 15:18 Commentaries
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