1 Samuel 15:2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 15:1-9

Here, I. Samuel, in God's name, solemnly requires Saul to be obedient to the command of God, and plainly intimates that he was now about to put him upon a trial, in one particular instance, whether he would be obedient or no, 1 Sam. 15:1. And the making of this so expressly the trial of his obedience did very much aggravate his disobedience. 1. He reminds him of what God had done for him: ?The Lord sent me to anoint thee to be a king. God gave thee thy power, and therefore he expects thou... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 15:2

Thus saith the Lord of hosts ,.... Of the celestial host of angels, and of the army of Israel, yea, of all the armies of the earth: this is premised to engage the attention of Saul: I remember that which Amalek did to Israel ; four hundred years ago: how he laid wait for him in the way when he came up from Egypt ; in the valley of Rephidim, just before they came to Mount Sinai, and fell upon the rear of them, and smote the feeble, and faint, and weary, see Exodus 17:8 read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 15:2

I remember that which Amalek did - The Amalekites were a people of Arabia Petraea, who had occupied a tract of country on the frontiers of Egypt and Palestine. They had acted with great cruelty towards the Israelites on their coming out of Egypt. (See Exodus 17:8 ; (note), and the notes there). They came upon them when they were faint and weary, and smote the hindermost of the people - those who were too weak to keep up with the rest. (See Deuteronomy 25:18 ;). And God then... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 15:1-7

God's terrible acts. The facts are— 1 . Saul is reminded that though a king he is but the servant of God, and bound to carry out his declared will. 2 . Saul is commanded to utterly destroy Amalek in retribution for former sins. 3 . In prosecuting his duty Saul discriminates in favour of the Kenites, then resident among the Amalekites, in consequence of their former kindness to Israel. It appears from 1 Samuel 14:48 that, although the sin of Amalek in bygone times ( Exodus... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 15:2

Amalek . The Amalekites were a fierce race of nomads who inhabited the desert to the south of Judaea towards Egypt. They were, and still continue to be in their descendants, the Bedouins, an untamable race of savages, whose delight is in robbery and plunder. Between them and Israel there was bitter hostility occasioned by their having attacked the people immediately after the Exodus ( Exodus 17:8-16 ), and the command there given to exterminate them is repeated now, probably in consequence... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 15:2

Compare the marginal references. It appears 1 Samuel 14:48 that this expedition against Amalek was not made without fresh provocation. Probably some incursion similar to that described in 1 Samuel 30:0 was made by them upon the south country at a time when they thought the Israelites were weakened by their contests with the Philistines. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 15:1-2

1 Samuel 15:1-2. Hearken thou unto the voice of the Lord Thou hast erred already; now regain God’s favour by thy exact obedience to what he commands. Thus saith the Lord, I remember, &c. Now I will avenge those old injuries of the Amalekites on their children, who continue in their parents’ practices. God here refers to that most notorious instance of cruelty, inhumanity, and impiety, their invading and destroying, as far as in them lay, by treachery and surprise, and that uninjured... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 15:1-35

War against the Amalekites (15:1-35)The Amalekites came under the same curse as those Canaanite nations that were to be destroyed (15:1-3; cf. Exodus 17:8-16; Deuteronomy 20:16-18; Deuteronomy 25:17-19). Again Saul’s obedience was tested, and again he failed. His kingly power gave him no right to alter God-given instructions to suit himself (4-9).God sent Samuel to tell Saul of the consequences of his disobedience (10-16; cf. 13:13-14). Religious sacrifices and military victories were no... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 15:2

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 . read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 15:2

1 Samuel 15:2. I remember— Literally, I visit, or have my eyes upon; God hereby signifying, that he observed with attentive eyes what Israel had suffered by means of the Amalekites. Houb. See Exodus 17:14. Deu 25:19 and the Reflections at the end of the 20th chapter of Deuteronomy. read more

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