1 Samuel 15:9 — Meaning and Application

King James Version

“But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all {that was} good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing {that was} vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly. {fatlings: or, second sort}”

1 Samuel 15:9

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Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:

And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah {until} thou comest to Shur, that {is} over against Egypt.

And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.

But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all {that was} good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing {that was} vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly. {fatlings: or, second sort}

Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying,

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.

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1 Samuel 15:1

"Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee {to be} king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD."

1 Samuel 15:2

"Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember {that} which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid {wait} for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt."

1 Samuel 15:3

"Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass."

1 Samuel 15:4

"And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah."

1 Samuel 15:5

"And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley. {laid...: or, fought}"

1 Samuel 15:6

"And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for ye shewed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites."

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