And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.

1 SAMUEL 15:15KJV
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1 Samuel 15:15 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 15:15 mean?

1 Samuel 15:15 records Saul explaining to Samuel that the people brought back the best sheep and oxen from the Amalekites to offer as sacrifices to the LORD, while destroying everything else. Saul is justifying why not everything was destroyed as God had commanded.

In this verse, Saul is speaking to the prophet Samuel after a battle with the Amalekites. God had instructed Saul to destroy everything belonging to the Amalekites, but Saul allowed the people to keep the best animals. Saul claims the intention was to sacrifice these animals to God, but this explanation comes as Samuel confronts him for not fully obeying God's command.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 15:15

  • "Spared" (חָמַל, chamal): This word means to have pity or to show mercy. Saul says the people "spared" the best animals, suggesting a deliberate choice to keep what was valuable rather than destroy it as ordered.
  • "Best" (מֵיטַב, meytav): This word refers to the finest or choicest part. The people did not just keep random animals, but specifically selected the best sheep and oxen, highlighting a focus on value.
  • "Utterly destroyed" (חָרַם, charam): This word means to devote to destruction, often in the sense of something being set apart for God by being completely destroyed. Saul claims the rest was "utterly destroyed," but the partial obedience is at the heart of Samuel’s confrontation.

Why 1 Samuel 15:15 matters

  • This verse shows Saul shifting blame to the people and trying to justify incomplete obedience by claiming good intentions (sacrifice to God), which sets up Samuel’s strong response about obedience being more important than sacrifice.
  • The verse highlights the temptation to keep what seems valuable, even when God’s instructions are clear, and how people can rationalize disobedience.
  • Understanding this verse helps clarify the larger story of why Saul’s kingship is ultimately rejected by God, as it reveals a pattern of partial obedience and self-justification.

Where else these words appear

“best” Hebrew H4315 · used in 5 verses

  • Genesis 47:6 The land of Egypt is before thee; in the best of the land make thy father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if thou knowest any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle.
  • Genesis 47:11 And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded.
  • Exodus 22:5 If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution.

“Amalekites” Hebrew H6003 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 14:7 And they returned, and came to Enmishpat, which is Kadesh, and smote all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that dwelt in Hazezontamar.
  • Numbers 14:45 Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah.
  • 1 Samuel 30:1 And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire;

“spared” Hebrew H2550 · used in 40 verses

  • Exodus 2:6 And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children.
  • Job 27:22 For God shall cast upon him, and not spare: he would fain flee out of his hand.
  • Ezekiel 5:11 Wherefore, as I live, saith the Lord GOD; Surely, because thou hast defiled my sanctuary with all thy detestable things, and with all thine abominations, therefore will I also diminish thee; neither shall mine eye spare, neither will I have any pity.

“destroyed” Hebrew H2763 · used in 48 verses

  • Exodus 22:20 He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.
  • Joshua 10:1 Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them;
  • 1 Samuel 15:20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.