1Sa 15:32-33 | KingComments | STEP | Once again Saul says that he has sinned ( ; ), but again because of the consequences and not because of the deed. Also here it appears why he wants Samuel to go with him. He is only interested in his own honor for the people. He wants to keep himself exalted. The people look up to Samuel. If he could secure Samuel’s company, his position with the people would be guaranteed. Saul seeks external, human grip and then promises to worship the LORD. It is remarkable to read that Samuel meets Saul’s wishes. Is it because he has a weakness for Saul? In the next chapter we see how much Samuel is attached to Saul. It resembles the weakness Paul has for his Jewish brothers who are zealous for the law and in which Paul is persuaded to act below his position as a believer who is free from the law ( ). Saul also keeps his word and worships the LORD. But what good means this tribute to the LORD if the heart has not really changed? It is also possible that Samuel goes with Saul to finish what Saul should have done. He orders that Agag, whom he calls “the king of the Amalekites”, be brought to him. It seems as if Agag is coming whistling because he thinks he will be spared. It is impossible to determine whether such a thought is stupidity or overconfidence on the part of Agag. In any case, his optimism is unfounded. His optimism also shows the complete lack of repentance for his atrocities. Before Samuel passes judgment on Agag, he tells him his crimes. Then Samuel, the old prophet, does what Saul should have done, to his shame, and cuts Agag into pieces. It says that he does it “before the LORD at Gilgal”. Samuel acts in accordance with God’s thoughts and not out of vengefulness. Agag reaps what he has sowed. He is rewarded for his deeds. The spiritual lesson is clear. With “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” ( ), the flesh is hewn down in its most beautiful and royal form, in which it is so often spared. Here all ‘Sauls’ of all generations fail. The powers that exist destroy what is wrong to a certain extent, but they do not judge as God judges. The sword can only be stretched over Agag by the hand of a prophet.

‏ 1 Samuel 15:32-33

Samuel Kills Agag

Once again Saul says that he has sinned (1Sam 15:30; 1Sam 15:24), but again because of the consequences and not because of the deed. Also here it appears why he wants Samuel to go with him. He is only interested in his own honor for the people. He wants to keep himself exalted. The people look up to Samuel. If he could secure Samuel’s company, his position with the people would be guaranteed. Saul seeks external, human grip and then promises to worship the LORD.

It is remarkable to read that Samuel meets Saul’s wishes. Is it because he has a weakness for Saul? In the next chapter we see how much Samuel is attached to Saul. It resembles the weakness Paul has for his Jewish brothers who are zealous for the law and in which Paul is persuaded to act below his position as a believer who is free from the law (Acts 21:20-26). Saul also keeps his word and worships the LORD. But what good means this tribute to the LORD if the heart has not really changed?

It is also possible that Samuel goes with Saul to finish what Saul should have done. He orders that Agag, whom he calls “the king of the Amalekites”, be brought to him. It seems as if Agag is coming whistling because he thinks he will be spared. It is impossible to determine whether such a thought is stupidity or overconfidence on the part of Agag. In any case, his optimism is unfounded. His optimism also shows the complete lack of repentance for his atrocities.

Before Samuel passes judgment on Agag, he tells him his crimes. Then Samuel, the old prophet, does what Saul should have done, to his shame, and cuts Agag into pieces. It says that he does it “before the LORD at Gilgal”. Samuel acts in accordance with God’s thoughts and not out of vengefulness.

Agag reaps what he has sowed. He is rewarded for his deeds. The spiritual lesson is clear. With “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Eph 6:17b), the flesh is hewn down in its most beautiful and royal form, in which it is so often spared. Here all ‘Sauls’ of all generations fail. The powers that exist destroy what is wrong to a certain extent, but they do not judge as God judges. The sword can only be stretched over Agag by the hand of a prophet.