1 Samuel 15:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And Saul defeated the Amalekites from Havilah as far as Shur, which is east of Egypt.

NIV: Then Saul attacked the Amalekites all the way from Havilah to Shur, near the eastern border of Egypt.

NASB: Then Saul defeated the Amalekites, from Havilah going toward Shur, which is east of Egypt.

CSB: Then Saul struck down the Amalekites from Havilah all the way to Shur, which is next to Egypt.

NLT: Then Saul slaughtered the Amalekites from Havilah all the way to Shur, east of Egypt.

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

NKJV: And Saul attacked the Amalekites, from Havilah all the way to Shur, which is east of Egypt.

After warning the Kenites to leave the region and giving them time to depart (1 Samuel 15:6), Saul attacks the Amalekites. The army chases the Amalekites from a place called Havilah to a place that is to the east of Egypt called Shur. This region is described in Genesis 25:18 as belonging to the Ishmaelites.

It seems Saul and the Israelites were thorough in chasing down and rounding up as many of the Amalekites as they could. However, Saul did not obey the Lord's command to utterly wipe them out, along with all their animals (1 Samuel 15:3, 9). Later encounters demonstrate that at least some escaped (1 Samuel 30:1; 1 Chronicles 4:43). Saul also spares the Amalekite king, Agag. This partial obedience is still disobedience, and Saul will suffer for his choice (1 Samuel 15:22–23).

First Samuel 15:1–9 describes Saul's partial obedience to God regarding the Amalekites. Half-obedience is the same as disobedience; Saul spares the enemy king and many of the valuable animals. This is contrary to the Lord's command. As a result, God will inform the prophet Samuel that God intends to replace Saul as king over Israel.

Samuel gives Saul a mission from the Lord: fulfill God's judgment on the Amalekites by killing all the people and all the animals. Saul and his army defeat Amalek, but they spare the king and the best animals. Samuel confronts Saul and reveals that because of his disobedience, the Lord has rejected Saul as king over Israel. Samuel worships the Lord with Saul one last time and then executes the Amalekite king Saul failed to kill.

First Samuel 14 ended with a summary of Saul's reign; chapter 15 describes God's rejection of Saul as king. First Samuel 13 had already indicated that Saul's household would not retain the kingdom due to Saul's disobedience (1 Samuel 13:8–14); here Saul himself is rejected. The Lord commands Saul to fulfill His longstanding judgment against the Amalekites. Saul and his army defeat Amalek, but Saul disobeys God by sparing the king and the best animals. Saul eventually admits that he has sinned, but Samuel says God will not change His mind about rejecting Saul as king. From a heavenly perspective, Saul is rejected; but from an earthly perspective, he would continue his rule for another fifteen to twenty years.

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.

Accessed 11/23/2024 3:12:13 AM