Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.'" Now go and attack the AmalekitesThe Amalekites were a nomadic tribe descended from Esau's grandson Amalek. They were long-standing enemies of Israel, first attacking them at Rephidim shortly after the Exodus ( Exodus 17:8-16). This command to attack is a continuation of God's judgment against them for their opposition to Israel. The Amalekites symbolize persistent sin and opposition to God's people, representing spiritual battles believers face. and devote to destruction all that belongs to them.
The term "devote to destruction" (Hebrew: herem) indicates a complete consecration to God, often through destruction. This was a common practice in ancient warfare, signifying that the spoils of war were not for personal gain but were to be wholly given over to God. This command underscores the seriousness of sin and the need for total separation from anything that leads to idolatry or rebellion against God. Do not spare them,
This phrase emphasizes the totality of the judgment. Sparing any part of what God has devoted to destruction would be an act of disobedience. It highlights the importance of complete obedience to God's commands, reflecting the seriousness of sin and the need for purity among God's people. but put to death men and women, children and infants,
This difficult command reflects the severity of God's judgment against sin and the totality of the Amalekites' corruption. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and rebellion against God. The inclusion of all ages and genders indicates the complete eradication of the Amalekite culture, which was deeply opposed to God. oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.
The destruction of livestock further emphasizes the totality of the judgment. In ancient cultures, livestock represented wealth and sustenance. By destroying these, God was ensuring that nothing of the Amalekite culture or economy would remain. This act also prevented Israel from profiting from the spoils, reinforcing the idea that the victory was God's alone and not for personal gain. Persons / Places / Events 1. SaulThe first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel, tasked with executing God's command against the Amalekites. 2. SamuelThe prophet who conveys God's message to Saul, representing God's authority and guidance. 3. AmalekitesA nomadic tribe and long-standing enemies of Israel, known for their opposition to God's people. 4. AmalekThe region or people group that Saul is commanded to destroy completely as an act of divine judgment. 5. God's CommandThe divine directive given to Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites as a form of judgment for their past sins against Israel. Teaching Points The Seriousness of SinThe command to destroy the Amalekites underscores the severity of sin and God's judgment against persistent rebellion. Obedience to GodSaul's failure to fully obey God's command serves as a warning about the consequences of partial obedience. Divine JusticeGod's command reflects His justice and sovereignty, reminding us that His ways and thoughts are higher than ours. Historical ContextUnderstanding the historical enmity between Israel and Amalek provides insight into the gravity of God's command. Spiritual WarfareThe Amalekites can be seen as a symbol of spiritual enemies that believers must confront and overcome through obedience to God. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the command to destroy the Amalekites reflect God's justice and holiness? 2. In what ways can Saul's partial obedience serve as a warning for our own spiritual walk? 3. How does the history of the Amalekites' opposition to Israel inform our understanding of this passage? 4. What are some modern-day "Amalekites" or spiritual battles that we face, and how can we apply God's command to "devote to destruction" in a spiritual sense? 5. How do other scriptures about obedience and sacrifice (e.g., 1 Samuel 15:22-23) deepen our understanding of this passage and its application to our lives? 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 erase their memory once 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. Esther 3:1Haman, an Agagite, is a descendant of the Amalekites, showing the continued enmity between Israel and Amalek. People Agag, Amalek, Amalekites, Havilah, Israelites, Kenites, Samuel, SaulPlaces Amalek, Carmel, Edom, Egypt, Gibeah, Gilgal, Ramah, Shur Desert, TelaimTopics Amalek, Am'alek, Amalekites, Ass, Baby, Belongs, Breast, Camel, Camels, Cattle, Child, Curse, Death, Destroy, Devoted, Donkey, Donkeys, Hast, Infant, Infants, Kill, Mercy, Ox, Pity, Putting, Sheep, Slay, Smite, Smitten, Spare, Strike, Suckling, Sword, Totally, Utterly, WomenDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 15:3 5054 responsibility, examples
7346 death penalty 1 Samuel 15:1-23 8752 false worship 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 15:3 NIV1 Samuel 15:3 NLT1 Samuel 15:3 ESV1 Samuel 15:3 NASB1 Samuel 15:3 KJV
1 Samuel 15:3 Commentaries
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