Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.
1 SAMUEL 15:3KJVWhat does 1 Samuel 15:3 mean?
1 Samuel 15:3 records God’s command to Saul, through the prophet Samuel, to attack the Amalekites and completely destroy everything that belongs to them, including men, women, children, and all their livestock. The instruction is total and leaves no room for sparing anyone or anything connected to Amalek.
Samuel is relaying God’s message to Saul, the king of Israel, as part of a specific judgment against the people of Amalek for their past actions against Israel. The verse uses very strong language to emphasize that nothing should be left alive, highlighting the seriousness and completeness of the command. This sets the stage for the events that follow in the chapter, where Saul’s response to this command becomes a turning point in his kingship.
The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 15:3
- "smite" (נָכָה, nakah): This word means to strike or attack, often with the intent to kill or defeat. Here, it emphasizes a forceful military action.
- "utterly destroy" (חָרַם, charam): This word means to devote something to destruction, often as an offering to God, leaving nothing for personal gain. It signals that the destruction is not just military but also religious in nature.
- "spare" (חָמַל, chamal): This word means to have pity or to show mercy. The command is explicit that Saul is not to let compassion influence his actions in this case.
- "infant" (עוֹלֵל, olel) and "suckling" (יוֹנֵק, yoneq): These words refer to very young children and nursing babies, showing the totality of the command, which includes even the most vulnerable.
Why 1 Samuel 15:3 matters
- This verse is often discussed because of its difficult and sweeping nature, prompting questions about judgment, mercy, and obedience in the Bible.
- The command’s totality highlights the seriousness of God’s instructions to Saul and sets up the later conflict when Saul does not fully obey.
- Understanding the original Hebrew words helps clarify that the destruction was meant to be absolute, not leaving room for personal interpretation or partial fulfillment.