1 Samuel 15

All 35 verses in the Clear Bible Translation. Tap a verse to compare the KJV and read what it means.

Read 1 Samuel 15 in the Bible reader, with audio →

1. 1Samuel said to Saul, "The LORD sent me to anoint you as king over his people Israel. So now, listen carefully to what the LORD has to say."
2. 2"This is what the LORD of hosts declares: 'I remember what the Amalekites did to Israel — how they ambushed them on the road as they were coming up out of Egypt.
3. 3Now go and attack the Amalekites. Completely destroy everything they have. Don't spare anyone — kill every man and woman, every infant and nursing child, every ox and sheep, every camel and donkey.'"
4. 4Saul assembled his forces and counted them at Telaim: 200,000 foot soldiers, plus 10,000 men from Judah.
5. 5Saul advanced to the city of Amalek and set up an ambush in the valley.
6. 6Saul warned the Kenites: "Leave now! Get away from the Amalekites, or I'll destroy you along with them. You showed kindness to the Israelites when they came out of Egypt." So the Kenites moved away from the Amalekites.
7. 7Saul struck down the Amalekites across the entire region from Havilah all the way to Shur, east of Egypt.
8. 8He captured Agag, the king of the Amalekites, alive, but he put all the rest of the people to the sword.
9. 9Saul and the people spared Agag, along with the best of the sheep, oxen, fatlings, lambs, and everything that was good. They refused to completely destroy them, but they utterly destroyed everything that was vile and worthless.
10. 10Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel:
11. 11"It repenteth me that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from following me and has not carried out my commands." And it grieved Samuel, and he cried out to the LORD all night.
12. 12Samuel got up early the next morning to meet Saul, but he was told, "Saul went to Carmel, where he set up a monument in his own honor. Then he moved on and went down to Gilgal."
13. 13When Samuel reached him, Saul greeted him, "The LORD bless you! I've carried out the LORD's command."
14. 14Samuel replied, "Then what's this bleating of sheep I hear? What's this lowing of cattle reaching my ears?"
15. 15Saul answered, "The soldiers brought them back from the Amalekites. They kept the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the LORD your God. But we completely destroyed everything else."
16. 16Then Samuel said to Saul, "Stay, and I will tell you what the LORD said to me last night." Saul replied, "Go ahead."
17. 17Samuel said, "When you were small in your own eyes, were you not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed you king over Israel?"
18. 18The LORD sent you on a mission and said, 'Go and completely destroy the sinners, the Amalekites, and fight against them until they are wiped out.'
19. 19So why didn't you obey the LORD? Why did you pounce on the plunder and do what the LORD saw as evil?"
20. 20Saul protested, "But I did obey the LORD! I went on the mission he gave me. I brought back Agag, the king of Amalek, and I completely destroyed the Amalekites.
21. 21The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder — the best of what was supposed to be destroyed — to sacrifice to the LORD your God at Gilgal."
22. 22Samuel answered, "Does the LORD take as much pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as he does in obedience? Listen — to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen is better than the fat of rams.
23. 23Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness is as wicked as idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king."
24. 24Saul admitted, "I have sinned. I disobeyed the LORD's command and your instructions because I was afraid of the people and gave in to their demands.
25. 25Please forgive my sin and come back with me so I can worship the LORD."
26. 26But Samuel told him, "I won't go back with you. You rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you as king over Israel."
27. 27As Samuel turned to leave, Saul grabbed the edge of his robe, and it tore.
28. 28Samuel said to him, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel away from you today and given it to someone better than you.
29. 29The Strength of Israel does not lie or repent, for he is not a man, that he should repent.
30. 30Saul pleaded, "I know I have sinned. But please, honor me in front of the elders of my people and in front of Israel. Come back with me so I can worship the LORD your God."
31. 31So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD.
32. 32Then Samuel said, "Bring Agag, the king of the Amalekites, to me." Agag approached him cautiously and said, "Surely the bitterness of death is past."
33. 33Samuel declared, "Your sword made women childless, and now your mother will be childless among women." Then Samuel cut Agag to pieces before the LORD at Gilgal.
34. 34Samuel left for Ramah, and Saul went home to Gibeah of Saul.
35. 35Samuel never went to see Saul again until the day of his death, but Samuel mourned for Saul. And the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.