1 Samuel 15:32 - Meaning and Application

Samuel, as a prophet, is here placed over kings (Jeremiah 1:10).

First, he executes king Agag, no doubt by a special command from heaven, one that no one now can claim in the same way. He hewed Agag in pieces. Some think Samuel only ordered it to be done. Others think he did it with his own hands, as an offering to God’s justice that had been insulted (1 Samuel 15:33). Sacrifices were often cut into pieces, and this may have been done in that way.

Notice two things here. First, Agag’s proud hopes were ruined. He came in a smooth, grand way, wanting to show that he was a king and should be treated with honor. Or he came softly and delicately, like someone unused to hardship, one who could not put the sole of his foot firmly on the ground because he was so pampered and tender (Deuteronomy 28:56). He hoped this would move Samuel to pity. He said, “Surely the bitterness of death is past” (1 Samuel 15:32). Since he had escaped Saul’s sword, he thought he was safe from Samuel, an old prophet and a man of peace. But death is bitter, and it terrifies even the strongest heart. Many people think the bitterness of death is past when it is not. They push that evil day far away, though it is very near. True believers can say, by grace, that death is still ahead of them, but its bitterness is gone. “O death, where is your sting?”

Second, Agag’s old wickedness was now punished. Samuel called him to account, not only for the sins of his ancestors, but for his own sins too: “Your sword has made women childless” (1 Samuel 15:33). He had followed in the cruel steps of those before him, and those under him likely did the same. So all the innocent blood Amalek had shed was justly charged to this generation (Matthew 23:36). Agag, though soft and luxurious himself, had been cruel and savage to others. This often happens. People who give themselves over to pleasure are often no less given to violent passions. Blood will be called to account. Even kings must answer to the King of kings for the innocent blood they shed, or cause to be shed. This was the sin of king Manasseh, which the Lord would not pardon (2 Kings 24:4). See also (Revelation 13:10).

Second, Samuel leaves king Saul. He takes leave of him (1 Samuel 15:34), and never came again to see him (1 Samuel 15:35) for counsel or help in any of Saul’s affairs. Saul did not want Samuel’s company, and he would not follow Samuel’s advice. Samuel saw him as one rejected by God, and so he forsook him. He may have seen Saul at times by chance, as in (1 Samuel 19:24), but he never came to him out of affection or respect. Yet Samuel mourned for Saul. He thought it was a very sad thing that a man who seemed so fit for great things would ruin himself so foolishly. He mourned for the nation too, since Saul should have been a great blessing to it, but would now become a curse and a plague. He also mourned for Saul’s eternal condition, because he had no hope of bringing him to repentance. When Samuel wept for Saul, he likely prayed for him as well, but the Lord had already regretted making Saul king and had decided to undo that work, so Samuel’s prayers did not prevail for him.

We should mourn for sinners when they are rejected, even if we must withdraw from them and cannot keep close company with them. The prophet said he would leave his people and go away, yet still weep day and night for them (Jeremiah 9:1-2). We should also mourn for them even when they do not mourn for themselves. Saul seemed unmoved by the signs of God’s displeasure on him, yet Samuel mourned day and night for him. Jerusalem was still secure in its own eyes when Christ wept over it.