And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.

1 SAMUEL 15:18KJV
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1 Samuel 15:18 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 15:18 mean?

1 Samuel 15:18 recounts that God sent Saul on a mission, commanding him to completely destroy the Amalekites—described here as sinners—and to fight against them until they were wiped out. The verse highlights the seriousness and totality of the command Saul received from God through the prophet Samuel.

In this verse, Samuel is speaking to Saul, reminding him of the clear instructions God gave regarding the Amalekites. The context is a confrontation after Saul failed to fully carry out God’s command. This sets up the tension in the story, as Saul’s incomplete obedience becomes the focus of Samuel’s rebuke.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 15:18

  • The word for “utterly destroy” is הַחֲרֵם (hacharem), transliterated here as "destroy" (H2763), which means to put under a ban or devote to destruction—often understood as leaving nothing alive. This emphasizes the totality of what God commanded.
  • The term for “consumed” is כָּלָה (kalah), transliterated as "consumed" (H3615), which means to bring to an end or finish completely. This word reinforces that the command was not just to fight, but to finish the task entirely.
  • The word for “sinners” is חַטָּאִים (chatta'im), transliterated as "sinners" (H2400), highlighting that the Amalekites are being singled out for judgment because of their actions, not just as an enemy nation.

Why 1 Samuel 15:18 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Saul’s mission was not just a typical battle, but a specific act of judgment with clear boundaries—total destruction, not partial victory.
  • The verse helps explain why Samuel later rebukes Saul so strongly: the command was direct and unambiguous, leaving no room for partial obedience.
  • Understanding the language and context here sheds light on the seriousness of Saul’s failure and the gravity of his disobedience in the larger narrative of 1 Samuel.

Where else these words appear

“sinners” Hebrew H2400 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 13:13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.
  • Psalms 1:5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
  • Proverbs 13:21 Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.

“Amalekites” Hebrew H6002 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 36:12 And Timna was concubine to Eliphaz Esau's son; and she bare to Eliphaz Amalek: these were the sons of Adah Esau's wife.
  • Deuteronomy 25:19 Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it.
  • 1 Samuel 15:7 And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt.

“destroy” 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.