1 Samuel 15 17

1 Samuel 15:17 kjv

And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?

1 Samuel 15:17 nkjv

So Samuel said, "When you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the LORD anoint you king over Israel?

1 Samuel 15:17 niv

Samuel said, "Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel.

1 Samuel 15:17 esv

And Samuel said, "Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel.

1 Samuel 15:17 nlt

And Samuel told him, "Although you may think little of yourself, are you not the leader of the tribes of Israel? The LORD has anointed you king of Israel.

1 Samuel 15 verses

1 Samuel 15 17 Meaning

This verse serves as Samuel's cutting rebuke to King Saul, recalling his humble beginnings and contrasting them with his current arrogant disobedience. Samuel reminds Saul that despite considering himself insignificant ("little in your own eyes") at the time of his selection, the Lord sovereignly elevated and anointed him as the supreme leader ("head of the tribes of Israel") over all Israel. It highlights God's gracious choice of Saul and sets the stage for the severe consequences of Saul's rebellion against the divine command regarding the Amalekites, implying a forgotten humility that has been replaced by self-will.

1 Samuel 15 17 Context

This verse is uttered by the prophet Samuel during his climactic confrontation with King Saul after Saul's direct disobedience of the Lord's command to utterly destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions (1 Sam 15:3). Saul, rather than fully obeying, spared King Agag and the best of the livestock, justifying his actions by claiming he intended to offer sacrifices to the Lord (1 Sam 15:9, 15:21). Samuel’s rebuke here immediately precedes his definitive declaration of God's rejection of Saul as king due to his rebellion, emphasizing that "to obey is better than sacrifice" (1 Sam 15:22). This passage stands as a pivotal moment in the history of Israel's monarchy, highlighting the supreme importance of obedience to God's direct commands, especially for those entrusted with leadership, and God's intolerance for self-willed justifications for disobedience. Historically, Saul was initially presented as a modest individual (1 Sam 9:21), a fitting choice by God, but his subsequent actions demonstrated a shift from this initial humility.

1 Samuel 15 17 Word analysis

• And Samuel said: This phrase initiates a direct prophetic confrontation. Samuel speaks with the authority of the Lord.
• "Though you were little: (Hebrew: Kattanta - קטנת, from qatan - קטן, "small," "insignificant," "humble"). This refers directly to Saul's own statement in 1 Sam 9:21, where he expressed his unworthiness and humble background as a Benjamite from the least family. It points to a past perception of humility or insufficiency for the task God called him to. The word underscores the irony and sharp contrast with his present inflated self-importance leading to disobedience.
• in your own eyes,: Emphasizes internal perception. It’s about how Saul viewed himself, which may have initially been genuinely humble, but by 1 Sam 15, his actions demonstrate a complete reversal of this perspective. It implies a critical self-reflection now missing.
• were you not made the head: (Hebrew: Rosh - ראש, "head," "chief," "leader"). This is a rhetorical question, designed not to elicit information but to make an emphatic point. It highlights the drastic elevation God gave Saul from his initial perceived smallness. Being made "the head" signifies supreme authority and leadership.
• of the tribes of Israel?: Specifies the immense scope of Saul's God-given authority – he was placed over the entire nation, not just a small clan or tribe.
• And the Lord: (Hebrew: YHWH - יהוה). This is the personal, covenant name of God. It signifies the true sovereign authority behind Saul's kingship, stressing that his appointment was not by human will but by divine decree. Saul's rebellion is therefore against YHWH directly.
• anointed you king: (Hebrew: Mashach - משח, "to smear," "to consecrate," "to anoint"). This term refers to the sacred act performed by Samuel that set Saul apart for his divine office. It conferred divine authority and expectation. The anointing signifies a holy, binding act, making Saul's disobedience particularly egregious, as it directly violates the terms of his divinely consecrated position.
• over Israel." Reiteration of his domain, reinforcing the scope of his God-given authority and the seriousness of his failure to honor it through obedience.

• "Though you were little in your own eyes, were you not made the head of the tribes of Israel?": This entire phrase functions as a poignant rhetorical question that contrasts Saul's initial self-assessment with God's ultimate elevation. It points out the dramatic shift from Saul's humble state to his divinely appointed status as king, emphasizing the grace involved in his selection and highlighting the profound ingratitude demonstrated by his present rebellion.
• "And the Lord anointed you king over Israel.": This clause definitively states the source and sacred nature of Saul's authority. His kingship was not merely a human achievement but a divine appointment consecrated by God Himself through the act of anointing. This further emphasizes the seriousness of his disobedience, as it is a rebellion against the very God who enthroned him.

1 Samuel 15 17 Bonus section

• This verse captures the essence of divine paradox: God often chooses the weak and the insignificant to accomplish His great purposes, to ensure that the glory belongs solely to Him. Saul’s case illustrates the tragic human tendency to usurp that glory and assume agency apart from God’s will.
• The rhetorical structure of Samuel's question serves not only as a reminder but also as an indictment. It forces Saul to implicitly acknowledge the truth of his origins versus the rebellion of his present state, emphasizing his personal accountability before the Almighty.
• The explicit mention of "the Lord" (YHWH) and "anointed" underscores the covenantal implications of Saul's kingship. His position was sacred and bound by an expectation of obedience, not a mere political office. His failure was not just a mistake but a covenant breach, warranting divine rejection.

1 Samuel 15 17 Commentary

Samuel's piercing words in 1 Samuel 15:17 confront Saul with the glaring disconnect between his past perceived humility and his present arrogant disobedience. Saul began his reign recognizing his own unworthiness, a sentiment he openly expressed to Samuel (1 Sam 9:21). Yet, in His sovereign grace and wisdom, the Lord chose, elevated, and divinely consecrated Saul as king over all Israel. This verse fundamentally reminds Saul of the divine source of his authority, a calling not based on his merit or self-perception, but on God's free election. Saul’s act of defiance in the Amalekite command, particularly in sparing Agag and the livestock against direct divine instruction, is thus cast as a profound betrayal of this divine trust and a severe disregard for the covenant God who made him king. The lesson remains timeless: those who forget the gracious origins of their authority, whether divinely appointed leaders or individuals in any walk of life, risk pride leading to their downfall, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

• A person who achieves great success after humble beginnings, but then becomes proud and forgetful of their initial dependence on divine favor or the help of others.
• A leader chosen for their modest demeanor, only to later misuse power for personal gain or defy the very principles they were appointed to uphold.