Bible Commentaries
1 Samuel 15

Verse 1

The LORD . Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 .

Verse 2

the LORD of hosts . See note on 1 Samuel 1:3 .

I remember . Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

how he laid wait. Compare Exodus 17:8 .

Verse 3

Now go . Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read "now therefore go".

Amalek. Compare Exodus 17:16 . Numbers 24:20 .

utterly destroy = devote to destruction.

man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

Verse 4

Telaim . Probably Telem (Joshua 15:24 ).

men. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .

Verse 7

from . Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ) thus: "[that dwell] from Havilah, "&c.

Verse 8

Kenites . Said to be the same as the Rechabites. Go, depart. Note the Figure of speech Asyndeton in 1 Samuel 15:6 .

Verse 9

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ) in this verse.

every thing that was vile = all the stock that was worthless.

Verse 11

It repenteth Me . Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

Verse 12

behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

place . Hebrew a hand. Either to mark his claim to the place, or a monument, as in 2 Samuel 18:18 .

on = over.

Verse 13

I have performed. See 1 Samuel 15:11 .

Verse 15

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Verse 18

sinners. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 .

they be consumed = they have consumed them. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac, read "thou have consumed them".

Verse 19

obey = hearken to.

evil = the evil. Hebrew. ra`a`. App-44 .

Verse 20

obeyed = hearkened.

Verse 22

to obey = to hearken to.

to hearken = to give heed.

Verse 23

sin. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 .

witchcraft = divination or necromancy; i.e. dealings with spirits.

iniquity . Hebrew. 'aven. App-44 .

Verse 24

transgressed . Hebrew. `abar. App-44 .

commandment . Hebrew "mouth", put by Fig, Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for what is spoken by it.

words . Some codices, with one early printed edition, read "word".

Verse 27

he = Saul.

his = Samuel's. Compare 1 Kings 11:30 , 1 Kings 11:31 .

Verse 29

the Strength = the Eternal One. First occurrence. Hebrew. nezah. A Divine title.

repent : i.e. as God, though He is said to do so by the Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

a man . Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

Verse 32

delicately = in fetters (Job 38:31 ). Septuagint has "trembling"; Vulgate has "sleek and trembling".

Verse 33

As = according as.

hewed : i.e. commanded him to be hewed or cut asunder after death. Verb occurs only here.

Agag. See note on Amalek (Exodus 17:16 , and Compare 1 Samuel 15:3 ).

Verse 35

no more . Compare 1 Samuel 16:1 , 1Sa 16:14 ; 1 Samuel 19:23 .

Samuel mourned : i.e. as for one dead. We do not read that Saul mourned for himself.