1 Samuel 15 32

1 Samuel 15:32 kjv

Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.

1 Samuel 15:32 nkjv

Then Samuel said, "Bring Agag king of the Amalekites here to me." So Agag came to him cautiously. And Agag said, "Surely the bitterness of death is past."

1 Samuel 15:32 niv

Then Samuel said, "Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites." Agag came to him in chains. And he thought, "Surely the bitterness of death is past."

1 Samuel 15:32 esv

Then Samuel said, "Bring here to me Agag the king of the Amalekites." And Agag came to him cheerfully. Agag said, "Surely the bitterness of death is past."

1 Samuel 15:32 nlt

Then Samuel said, "Bring King Agag to me." Agag arrived full of hope, for he thought, "Surely the worst is over, and I have been spared!"

1 Samuel 15 verses

1 Samuel 15 32 Meaning

In this verse, Samuel, the prophet, commands that Agag, the king of the Amalekites, be brought before him. Agag approaches with a "delicate" or "trembling" gait, and he expresses a misplaced sense of relief, believing that the most intense and bitter period of fear of death has passed for him, thinking he is now safe from execution. This statement highlights Agag's profound misjudgment of his true fate and the resolute nature of divine judgment that Samuel is about to execute.

1 Samuel 15 32 Context

1 Samuel chapter 15 records God's command to King Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites for their persistent and ancient wickedness against Israel. God explicitly instructs Saul to spare no one and nothing (1 Sam 15:3). However, Saul, under the pressure of the people and motivated by perceived pragmatism and self-glory, partially obeys. He spares Agag, the Amalekite king, and the best of the livestock, justifying it as a sacrifice to the LORD. This act of disobedience leads to God's deep regret for having made Saul king and His decision to reject Saul from his kingship. Samuel, heartbroken and angered by Saul's failure, confronts Saul directly. After Samuel proclaims God's rejection of Saul (1 Sam 15:26), this verse (1 Sam 15:32) immediately precedes Samuel personally carrying out the divine judgment that Saul had failed to execute: the public execution of Agag, demonstrating the unwavering resolve of God's justice.

1 Samuel 15 32 Word analysis

• Then said Samuel: This phrase highlights Samuel's authority as God's prophet and the agent through whom divine judgment is declared and executed. It emphasizes his decisive role in contrast to Saul's failed leadership.
• Bring ye hither to me: A direct, imperative command, underscoring Samuel's firm resolve. It indicates Agag was likely nearby, perhaps held as a trophy or prisoner, spared by Saul against God's direct instruction.
• Agag: The personal name of the king of the Amalekites. His title reinforces his leadership over a nation marked for utter destruction by God (Deut 25:17-19). The name 'Agag' is thought by some to possibly relate to 'fire' or 'violence,' embodying the inherent hostility of his nation.
• the king of the Amalekites: Specifies his royal status, marking him as the preeminent target of the command to utterly destroy everything belonging to the Amalekites. This identification underlines the thoroughness required for God's judgment against a long-standing enemy of His people.
• And Agag came unto him delicately: The Hebrew word is מַעֲדַנֹּת (ma'adannōt), derived from a root suggesting "delicacy," "pleasure," or "luxury."
  • This term can convey that Agag came "tremblingly" or "falteringly," showing fear or weakness in the face of an uncertain fate. This aligns with a context of captivity and an impending, severe judgment.
  • Alternatively, some scholars suggest it implies "softly," "gently," or "with dainty steps," perhaps reflecting his pampered kingly status even in captivity, or even approaching with a hopeful, flattering demeanor, unaware of his true doom. The context of Agag's following words about death suggests he might have still harbored a fragile hope of clemency.
• And Agag said: Introduces Agag's only direct dialogue in this crucial scene, offering a brief glimpse into his mindset just before his demise.
• Surely the bitterness of death is past: Hebrew: אָכֵן סָר מַר־מָוֶת (ākhēn sār mar-māwet).
  • אָכֵן (ākhēn): "Surely," "truly," "indeed." Conveys certainty or strong conviction on Agag's part. He genuinely believes what he is saying.
  • סָר (sār): "has departed," "is turned aside," "is removed." It is in the perfect tense, indicating a completed action. Agag is convinced that the moment of grave danger has already elapsed.
  • מַר־מָוֶת (mar-māwet): "bitterness of death." This refers not just to the pain of dying, but the dreadful anticipation, terror, and agony associated with impending death. Agag's statement reflects his belief that he has passed through the worst of the danger, having survived the initial slaughter of his people. This creates dramatic irony, as his "past bitterness" is about to be replaced by the immediate and literal bitterness of death itself. His statement betrays his total misconception of the severity of God's decree and Samuel's unwavering commitment to it.

1 Samuel 15 32 Bonus section

• Samuel's character as presented in this episode emphasizes his prophetic zeal and his unwavering commitment to God's commandments, even taking on the kingly task of execution when the actual king fails. He acts not out of personal vindictiveness, but out of obedience to divine justice.
• The Amalekites' consistent aggression against Israel from the Exodus onward (Exod 17:8-16) portrays them as an archetypal enemy, representing a spiritual opposition to God's people. Their complete eradication was a severe but divinely sanctioned act of removing an ongoing threat to God's covenant nation.
• This scene offers a profound lesson on the nature of God's commands: they are not suggestions or recommendations, but absolute decrees requiring full and precise obedience. Saul's rationale for sparing Agag—to offer better sacrifices—was an attempt to elevate human religious acts above divine obedience, a fundamental error.
• Agag's final statement, "Surely the bitterness of death is past," provides a moment of chilling irony. It exemplifies human ignorance regarding impending doom, a theme echoed in biblical warnings about the suddenness of judgment for those who do not heed God's warnings.

1 Samuel 15 32 Commentary

1 Samuel 15:32 serves as a stark illustration of several critical biblical truths. It powerfully underscores the inevitability and completeness of divine judgment against unrepented evil, epitomized by the Amalekites. Agag's self-deceived hope, born from Saul's misguided mercy, starkly contrasts with Samuel's resolute commitment to executing God's explicit command. Samuel's action in this verse, immediately followed by the execution of Agag, rectifies Saul's grievous disobedience and highlights the severity of "partial obedience," which the Bible treats as full rebellion. This moment solidifies Samuel's role as a man fully aligned with God's will, even in acts of severe judgment, emphasizing that God's word, once declared, must be fully fulfilled, no matter the human sentiment or rationale. The "bitterness of death" that Agag thinks has passed symbolizes the temporary relief that can accompany a human reprieve, quickly overshadowed by the ultimate divine reckoning. It's a reminder that God’s justice is not thwarted by human failure or delay; it will ultimately prevail.