1 Samuel

1 Samuel 15:3–9

3Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destructiona 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.’”

4So Saul summoned the troops and numbered them at Telaim — 200,000 foot soldiers and 10,000 men of Judah. 5Saul came to the city of Amalek and lay in wait in the valley. 6And he warned the Kenites, “Since you showed kindness to all the Israelites when they came up out of Egypt, go on and get away from the Amalekites. Otherwise I will sweep you away with them.”

So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites.

7Then Saul struck down the Amalekites all the way from Havilah to Shur, which is east of Egypt. 8He captured Agag king of Amalek alive, but devoted all the others to destruction with the sword.

9Saul and his troops spared Agag, along with the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calvesb and lambs, and the best of everything else. They were unwilling to devote them to destruction, but they devoted to destruction all that was despised and worthless.

Footnotes

  • a 15:3 Forms of the Hebrew cherem refer to the giving over of things or persons to the LORD, either by destroying them or by giving them as an offering; also in verses 8, 9, 15, 18, 20, and 21.
  • b 15:9 Or the grown bulls

Read all of 1 Samuel 15

Word by word

Each English word or phrase beside the Hebrew it translates, in the order of the English. Choose a number to open that word’s study.

1 Samuel 15:3

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Nowעַתָּה֩‘at·tāhAdverbH6258 now
goלֵ֨ךְlêḵVerb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singularH1980 go, come, walk
and attackוְהִכִּֽיתָ֜הwə·hik·kî·ṯāhConjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singularH5221 smite
the Amalekitesעֲמָלֵ֗ק‘ă·mā·lêqNoun - proper - masculine singularH6002 Amalek
and devote to destructionוְהַֽחֲרַמְתֶּם֙wə·ha·ḥă·ram·temConjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine pluralH2763 ban, devote, exterminate
allכָּל־kāl-Noun - masculine singular constructH3605 the whole, all
thatאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer-Pronoun - relativeH834 particle of relation
belongs to themל֔וֹlōwPreposition; third person masculine singular
Do notוְלֹ֥אwə·lōConjunctive waw; Adverb - Negative particleH3808 not
spareתַחְמֹ֖לṯaḥ·mōlVerb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singularH2550 spare
themעָלָ֑יו‘ā·lāwPreposition; third person masculine singularH5921 height
but put to deathוְהֵמַתָּ֞הwə·hê·mat·tāhConjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singularH4191 die
menמֵאִ֣ישׁmê·’îšPreposition-m; Noun - masculine singularH376 man
andעַד־‘aḏ-PrepositionH5704 as far as, even to, up to, until, while
womenאִשָּׁ֗ה’iš·šāhNoun - feminine singularH802 woman, wife, female
childrenמֵֽעֹלֵל֙mê·‘ō·lêlPreposition-m; Noun - masculine singularH5768 child
andוְעַד־wə·‘aḏ-Conjunctive waw; PrepositionH5704 as far as, even to, up to, until, while
infantsיוֹנֵ֔קyō·w·nêqVerb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularH3243 suck
oxenמִשּׁ֣וֹרmiš·šō·wrPreposition-m; Noun - masculine singularH7794 head of cattle
andוְעַד־wə·‘aḏ-Conjunctive waw; PrepositionH5704 as far as, even to, up to, until, while
sheepשֶׂ֔הśehNoun - masculine singularH7716 one of a flock, a sheep (or goat)
camelsמִגָּמָ֖לmig·gā·mālPreposition-m; Noun - masculine singularH1581 camel
andוְעַד־wə·‘aḏ-Conjunctive waw; PrepositionH5704 as far as, even to, up to, until, while
donkeysחֲמֽוֹר׃סḥă·mō·wrNoun - masculine singularH2543 heap

1 Samuel 15:4

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
So Saulשָׁאוּל֙šā·’ūlNoun - proper - masculine singularH7586 Shaul
summonedוַיְשַׁמַּ֤עway·šam·ma‘Conjunctive waw; Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH8085 hear
the troopsהָעָ֔םhā·‘āmArticle; Noun - masculine singularH5971 people
and numbered themוַֽיִּפְקְדֵם֙way·yip̄·qə·ḏêmConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular; third person masculine pluralH6485 attend to, visit, muster, appoint
at Telaimבַּטְּלָאִ֔יםbaṭ·ṭə·lā·’îmPreposition-b, Article; Noun - proper - feminine singularH2923 Telaim
200,000מָאתַ֥יִםmā·ṯa·yimNumber - fdH3967 hundred
foot soldiersרַגְלִ֑יraḡ·lîAdjective - masculine singularH7273 on foot
and 10,000וַעֲשֶׂ֥רֶתwa·‘ă·śe·reṯConjunctive waw; Number - masculine singular constructH6235 ten
menאִ֥ישׁ’îšNoun - masculine singular constructH376 man
of Judahיְהוּדָֽה׃yə·hū·ḏāhNoun - proper - masculine singularH3063 Judah

1 Samuel 15:5

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Saulשָׁא֖וּלšā·’ūlNoun - proper - masculine singularH7586 Shaul
cameוַיָּבֹ֥אway·yā·ḇōConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH935 come in, come, go in, go
toעַד־‘aḏ-PrepositionH5704 as far as, even to, up to, until, while
the cityעִ֣יר‘îrNoun - feminine singular constructH5892 excitement
of Amalekעֲמָלֵ֑ק‘ă·mā·lêqNoun - proper - masculine singularH6002 Amalek
and lay in waitוַיָּ֖רֶבway·yā·reḇConjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH693 lie in wait
in the valleyבַּנָּֽחַל׃ban·nā·ḥalPreposition-b, Article; Noun - masculine singularH5158 torrent, torrent-valley, wady

1 Samuel 15:6

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
And heשָׁא֣וּלšā·’ūlNoun - proper - masculine singularH7586 Shaul
warnedוַיֹּ֣אמֶרway·yō·merConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH559 utter, say
the Kenitesהַקֵּינִ֡יhaq·qê·nîArticle; Noun - proper - masculine singularH7017 Kenite
Since youוְאַתָּ֞הwə·’at·tāhConjunctive waw; Pronoun - second person masculine singularH859 thou
showedעָשִׂ֤יתָה‘ā·śî·ṯāhVerb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singularH6213 do, make
kindnessחֶ֙סֶד֙ḥe·seḏNoun - masculine singularH2617 goodness, kindness
toעִם־‘im-PrepositionH5973 with
allכָּל־kāl-Noun - masculine singular constructH3605 the whole, all
the Israelitesבְּנֵ֣יbə·nêNoun - masculine plural constructH1121 son
when they came upבַּעֲלוֹתָ֖םba·‘ă·lō·w·ṯāmPreposition-b; Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct; third person masculine pluralH5927 go up, ascend, climb
out of Egyptמִמִּצְרָ֑יִםmim·miṣ·rā·yimPreposition-m; Noun - proper - feminine singularH4714 Egypt, Egyptians
go onלְכוּ֩lə·ḵūVerb - Qal - Imperative - masculine pluralH1980 go, come, walk
and get awayרְד֜וּrə·ḏūVerb - Qal - Imperative - masculine pluralH3381 come or go down, descend
fromמִתּ֣וֹךְmit·tō·wḵPreposition-m; Noun - masculine singular constructH8432 midst
the Amalekitesעֲמָלֵקִ֗י‘ă·mā·lê·qîNoun - proper - masculine singularH6003 Amalekite
Otherwiseפֶּן־pen-ConjunctionH6435 lest
I will sweep you awayאֹֽסִפְךָ֙’ō·sip̄·ḵāVerb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular; second person masculine singularH622 gather, remove
with themעִמּ֔וֹ‘im·mōwPreposition; third person masculine singularH5973 with
So the Kenitesקֵינִ֖יqê·nîNoun - proper - masculine singularH7017 Kenite
moved awayוַיָּ֥סַרway·yā·sarConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH5493 turn aside
fromמִתּ֥וֹךְmit·tō·wḵPreposition-m; Noun - masculine singular constructH8432 midst
the Amalekitesעֲמָלֵֽק׃‘ă·mā·lêqNoun - proper - masculine singularH6002 Amalek

1 Samuel 15:7

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Then Saulשָׁא֖וּלšā·’ūlNoun - proper - masculine singularH7586 Shaul
struck downוַיַּ֥ךְway·yaḵConjunctive waw; Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH5221 smite
the Amalekitesעֲמָלֵ֑ק‘ă·mā·lêqNoun - proper - masculine singularH6002 Amalek
all the wayבּוֹאֲךָ֣bō·w·’ă·ḵāVerb - Qal - Infinitive construct; second person masculine singularH935 come in, come, go in, go
from Havilahמֵֽחֲוִילָה֙mê·ḥă·wî·lāhPreposition-m; Noun - proper - feminine singularH2341 Chavilah
to Shurשׁ֔וּרšūrNoun - proper - feminine singularH7793 Shur
which isאֲשֶׁ֖ר’ă·šerPronoun - relativeH834 particle of relation
eastפְּנֵ֥יpə·nêNoun - common plural constructH6440 face, before
of Egyptמִצְרָֽיִם׃miṣ·rā·yimNoun - proper - feminine singularH4714 Egypt, Egyptians

1 Samuel 15:8

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
He capturedוַיִּתְפֹּ֛שׂway·yiṯ·pōśConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH8610 lay hold of, wield
Agagאֲגַ֥ג’ă·ḡaḡNoun - proper - masculine singularH90 Agag
kingמֶֽלֶךְ־me·leḵ-Noun - masculine singular constructH4428 king
of Amalekעֲמָלֵ֖ק‘ă·mā·lêqNoun - proper - masculine singularH6002 Amalek
aliveחָ֑יḥāyAdjective - masculine singularH2416 alive, living
but devotedהֶחֱרִ֥יםhe·ḥĕ·rîmVerb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singularH2763 ban, devote, exterminate
allכָּל־kāl-Noun - masculine singular constructH3605 the whole, all
the othersהָעָ֖םhā·‘āmArticle; Noun - masculine singularH5971 people
with the swordחָֽרֶב׃ḥā·reḇNoun - feminine singularH2719 sword

1 Samuel 15:9

EnglishHebrewSounds likeGrammarWord study
Saulשָׁא֨וּלšā·’ūlNoun - proper - masculine singularH7586 Shaul
and his troopsוְהָעָ֜םwə·hā·‘āmConjunctive waw, Article; Noun - masculine singularH5971 people
sparedוַיַּחְמֹל֩way·yaḥ·mōlConjunctive waw; Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularH2550 spare
Agagאֲגָ֗ג’ă·ḡāḡNoun - proper - masculine singularH90 Agag
along withוְעַל־wə·‘al-Conjunctive waw; PrepositionH5921 height
the bestמֵיטַ֣בmê·ṭaḇNoun - masculine singular constructH4315 the best
of the sheepהַצֹּאן֩haṣ·ṣōnArticle; Noun - common singularH6629 small cattle, sheep and goats, flock, flocks
and cattleוְהַבָּקָ֨רwə·hab·bā·qārConjunctive waw, Article; Noun - masculine singularH1241 cattle, herd, ox
the fat calvesוְהַמִּשְׁנִ֤יםwə·ham·miš·nîmConjunctive waw, Article; Noun - masculine pluralH4932 double, copy, second
andוְעַל־wə·‘al-Conjunctive waw; PrepositionH5921 height
lambsהַכָּרִים֙hak·kā·rîmArticle; Noun - masculine pluralH3733 basket-saddle
andוְעַל־wə·‘al-Conjunctive waw; PrepositionH5921 height
the bestהַטּ֔וֹבhaṭ·ṭō·wḇArticle; Noun - masculine singularH2896 pleasant, agreeable, good
of everything elseכָּל־kāl-Noun - masculine singular constructH3605 the whole, all
They were unwillingאָב֖וּ’ā·ḇūVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person common pluralH14 be willing, consent
to devote them to destructionהַחֲרִימָ֑םha·ḥă·rî·māmVerb - Hifil - Infinitive construct; third person masculine pluralH2763 ban, devote, exterminate
but they devoted to destructionהֶחֱרִֽימוּ׃פhe·ḥĕ·rî·mūVerb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common pluralH2763 ban, devote, exterminate
allוְכָל־wə·ḵālConjunctive waw; Noun - masculine singular constructH3605 the whole, all
that was despisedנְמִבְזָ֥הnə·miḇ·zāhNoun - feminine singularH5240 despised
and worthlessוְנָמֵ֖סwə·nā·mêsConjunctive waw; Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singularH4549 dissolve, melt

Cross-references

Other passages that speak to the same thing. Point at one to read it.

1 Samuel 15:3 Numbers 24:20 · Deuteronomy 20:16–18 · 1 Samuel 22:19 · Numbers 31:17 · Isaiah 14:21–22 · Joshua 6:17–21 · Leviticus 27:28–29

1 Samuel 15:4 Joshua 15:24

1 Samuel 15:6 Judges 1:16 · Numbers 10:29–32 · Judges 4:11 · Exodus 18:19 · Numbers 24:21–22 · Judges 5:24 · 1 Samuel 27:10 · Exodus 18:9–10

1 Samuel 15:7 1 Samuel 14:48 · Genesis 25:18 · Genesis 16:7 · 1 Samuel 27:8 · Genesis 2:11 · Exodus 15:22

1 Samuel 15:8 1 Samuel 30:1 · Numbers 24:7 · Esther 3:1

1 Samuel 15:9 1 Samuel 15:15 · 1 Samuel 15:3 · 1 Samuel 15:19

Cross-references from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY 4.0. The best-supported references for each verse are shown.

Scripture text: Berean Standard Bible.