Saul came to the city of Amalek and lay in wait in the valley. Saul came to the city of AmalekThis phrase marks the beginning of Saul's military campaign against the Amalekites, a nomadic tribe that had been a longstanding enemy of Israel. The Amalekites first attacked the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt ( Exodus 17:8-16), and God commanded their destruction as a consequence. The city of Amalek likely refers to a central location or stronghold of the Amalekite people, though its exact location is not known today. This campaign was a direct command from God through the prophet Samuel ( 1 Samuel 15:1-3), emphasizing the importance of obedience to divine instructions. and lay in wait in the valley.
The strategy of laying in wait suggests a tactical approach to warfare, possibly to surprise the Amalekites or to prepare for a strategic advantage. Valleys in ancient warfare often served as places for ambushes or as staging grounds for battle. This tactic reflects the military practices of the time, where terrain played a crucial role in the success of military operations. The valley could symbolize a place of decision and judgment, aligning with the biblical theme of God’s judgment against the Amalekites for their past transgressions against Israel. Saul's actions here set the stage for the subsequent events where his failure to fully obey God's command leads to his rejection as king (1 Samuel 15:10-23). Persons / Places / Events 1. SaulThe first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. Saul's reign is marked by his initial obedience to God, followed by a series of disobediences that ultimately lead to his rejection by God. 2. City of AmalekThe Amalekites were a nomadic tribe and longstanding enemies of Israel. God commanded Saul to completely destroy them as a form of divine judgment for their past actions against Israel. 3. ValleyThe specific valley is not named, but it serves as a strategic location for Saul to prepare his attack against the Amalekites. 4. AmalekitesA people descended from Esau, known for their hostility towards Israel. They represent opposition to God's people and purposes. 5. Divine CommandThe event is set in the context of God's command to Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites, which Saul ultimately fails to fully obey. Teaching Points Obedience to God's CommandsSaul's preparation for battle highlights the importance of following God's instructions fully. Partial obedience is disobedience in God's eyes. The Consequences of DisobedienceSaul's failure to completely destroy the Amalekites leads to his rejection as king. This teaches us that disobedience can have long-lasting consequences. God's Sovereignty and JusticeThe command to destroy the Amalekites reflects God's sovereign justice. It reminds us that God is just and will judge sin. Spiritual WarfareThe Amalekites symbolize spiritual opposition. Believers are called to be vigilant and prepared to stand against spiritual enemies. Bible Study Questions 1. What does Saul's preparation for battle in the valley teach us about the importance of strategic planning in our spiritual lives? 2. How does the command to destroy the Amalekites relate to God's justice and mercy as seen throughout the Bible? 3. In what ways can partial obedience be a temptation in our own lives, and how can we strive for complete obedience to God's Word? 4. How does the account of Saul and the Amalekites connect to the New Testament teachings on spiritual warfare? 5. Reflect on a time when you faced a "valley" experience in your life. How did you prepare for it, and what role did your faith play in overcoming it? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 17:8-16This passage recounts the first battle 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 15:22-23Later in the chapter, Samuel rebukes Saul for his disobedience, emphasizing that obedience is better than sacrifice. People Agag, Amalek, Amalekites, Havilah, Israelites, Kenites, Samuel, SaulPlaces Amalek, Carmel, Edom, Egypt, Gibeah, Gilgal, Ramah, Shur Desert, TelaimTopics Amalek, Am'alek, Amalekites, Ambush, Laid, Lay, Layeth, Position, Ravine, Saul, Secretly, Town, Valley, WaitDictionary of Bible Themes 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 15:5 NIV1 Samuel 15:5 NLT1 Samuel 15:5 ESV1 Samuel 15:5 NASB1 Samuel 15:5 KJV
1 Samuel 15:5 Commentaries
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