1 Samuel also said unto Saul, The Lord sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the Lord.
2 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt.
3 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.
4 And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah.
5 And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley.
6 And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for ye shewed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.
7 And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt.
8 And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.
9 But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.
10 Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel, saying,
11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the Lord all night.
12 And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal.
13 And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the Lord: I have performed the commandment of the Lord.
14 And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?
15 And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.
16 Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the Lord hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on.
17 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?
18 And the Lord sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.
19 Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the Lord, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the Lord?
20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the Lord, and have gone the way which the Lord sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.
21 But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in Gilgal.
22 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
24 And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.
25 Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the Lord.
26 And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.
27 And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent.
28 And Samuel said unto him, The Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.
29 And also the Strength[a] of Israel will not lie, and will not repent[b]: for he is not a man, that he should repent[b].
30 Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the Lord thy God.
31 So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the Lord.
32 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.
33 And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord in Gilgal.
34 Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul.
35 And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the Lord repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.
[29a] The hebrew word “nê-ṣaḥ” means forever, limit or eternal; the CSB is one of the only English translations that follows Rashi's notes, translating this as “the Eternal One of Israel”;
[29b] repent; i.e. change his mind; i.e. be comforted (such that he change his mind).
<html><b>Now obey Adonoy's words.</b> Once you acted foolishly,1<i class=“footnote”> Shaul had acted improperly by not waiting for Shmuel [Above 13:8-14] as he had been instructed, therefore, Shmuel is warning him now to be careful.</i> but now be careful [in your actions].</html>
<html><b>Oxen and sheep.</b> They were sorcerers, and they would change themselves to appear as animals.2<i class=“footnote”> Radak suggests another reason for destroying the animals. The Torah specifies that the memory of Amoleik should be erased. Therefore, Shmuel instructed that not even an ox or a sheep should remain about which one might say ‘this animal belonged to Amoleik.’</i></html>
<html><b>Shaul summoned.</b> An expression of announcing [meaning the same] as in <span>.3<i class=“footnote”>Above 14:20.</i></span><span>וַיִזָּעֵק שָׁאוּל</span> <b>And he counted them with lambs.</b> He told each one to take a lamb4<i class=“footnote”>According to Targum this occurred just before Pesach, and the lambs were Pascal sacrifices.</i> from the king's flocks, and afterwards he counted the lambs, because it is forbidden to count Jewish people.5<i class=“footnote”> See Maseches Yoma 22b which states that in order to avoid counting the Bnei Yisroel directly which is forbidden by the Torah, each man took a lamb from the king’s flock and the lambs were then counted. See also Kli Yokor in Bamidbar 1:2 who discusses the exceptions to this rule.</i> for it is stated concerning them, '[which] are too numerous to count.'6<i class=“footnote”>Bereishis 32:12.</i></html>
<html><b>And he fought in the valley.</b> [Meaning the same as] <span>וַיִלָּחֵם בַּנַּחַל</span> [=and he fought in the valley]. Our Rabbis said, concerning the valley, he argued and concluded, that if for the sake of one life, the Torah said to decapitate a calf in the valley,7<i class=“footnote”>See Devarim 21:4.</i> how much more for the sake of all these lives.8<i class=“footnote”>Shaul rationalized that he will spare the animals to use as sacrifices to atone for the Amoleikites that were killed. For additional arguments presented by Shaul and their consequences, see Maseches Yoma 22b.</i> If man has sinned, what have the animals sinned?</html>
<html><b>To the Kenites.</b> Who were Yisro's descendants,9<i class=“footnote”>See Shoftim 1:16.</i> who were residing in the wilderness of Yehudah, in the south of Arod, who went to Ya'aveitz to learn Torah, Arod being Amoleik. The Canaanite king of Arod was Amoleik, for it is stated [about him]; “who lived in the South,”10<i class=“footnote”>Bamidbar 21:1.</i> and, “Amoleik dwells in the southern part of the land.”11<i class=“footnote”>Ibid., 13:29.</i> <b>To all the Bnei Yisroel.</b> Who partook from his [Yisro's] meal, Moshe, Aharon and all the elders of Yisroel.12<i class=“footnote”>See Shemos 18:12.</i> It is considered as though he acted kindly with all the Bnei Yisroel.13<i class=“footnote”>It may also refer to Yisro’s hospitality of welcoming Moshe into his home when he escaped from Paroh [Shemos 2:20-21]. Based on this event R. Nechemyah in Maseches Berachos 63b states ‘how great is the reward for one who invites a Torah scholar into his house, gives him to eat and drink, and shares his possessions with him.’ Others believe that the act of kindness with all the Bnei Yisroel refers to the good advice that Yisro gave to Moshe with regard to setting up a system of judges [Shemos 18:14-26], because this benefitted the entire nation.</i></html>
<html><b>The fattened cattle.</b> This word has no likeness [in Scripture]. These are the fattened cattle;14<i class=“footnote”>According to Mahri Kra <span>מִשֽׁנִים</span> are thoroughbred horses.</i> and I say that the expression of <span>מִשְׁנִים</span> is like <span>וְכֶסֶף מִשְׁנֶה</span> [meaning double money],15<i class=“footnote”>Bereishis 43:12.</i> because they are doubled over with flesh and fat. Similarly, 'And the ox which was fattened [<span>הַשֵּׁנִי</span>] seven years.'16<i class=“footnote”>Shoftim 6:25.</i> <b>Undesirable and inferior.</b> Meaning the same as <span>נִבְזֶה</span>; and the '<span>מ</span>' is superfluous.</html>
<html><b>I have reconsidered.</b> A thought has risen in my heart concerning Shaul's kingship, whom I have appointed king.</html>
<html><b>And is setting up a place for himself.</b> He is building an altar for himself. That is the altar referred to concerning Eliyohu, 'he repaired the ruined altar of Adonoy.'17<i class=“footnote”>Melachim I 18:30.</i> Targum Yonoson renders, 'and he is making room there for himself to divide the spoils.'</html>
<html><b>Stay.</b> Like the Targum, <span>אוֹרִיךְ</span> meaning 'wait.'</html>
<html><b>You are the head of the tribes of Yisroel.</b> Targum Yonoson renders, 'the tribe of Binyomin crossed the [Reed] Sea ahead of all the people, as it is said, 'Binyomin, the youngest, rules them.'18<i class=“footnote”>Tehillim 68:28. You did not follow in Binyomin’s tradition of taking charge and leading the people without questioning the command of ‘<span>ה</span>. You have thus forfeited the merit by which you became king.</i></html>
<html><b>Until they destroy them.</b> The people who are with you will destroy them.</html>
<html><b>You rushed.</b> Meaning '<span>וַתַּעַף</span>' [you flew], an expression related to '<span>עַיִט</span>' [birds of prey].19<i class=“footnote”>Bereishis 15:11.</i></html>
<html><b>The best of that which was to be destroyed.</b> [<span>רֵאשִׁית</span>] meaning the best of the <span>,20<i class=“footnote”> Perhaps by his statement Shaul was indicating to Shmuel that they examined the animals to ascertain that none were Amoleikite sorcerers who had changed themselves to appear as animals [See above Verse 2].—Da’as Sofrim</i></span><span>חֵרֶם</span> and similarly, “the best of your corn,”21<i class=“footnote”> Devarim 18:4.</i> as it is stated, “when you set aside the finest part of it.”22<i class=“footnote”> Bamidbar 18:30.</i> Targum Yonoson renders [<span>רֵאשִׁית</span>] 'before they banned it.'</html>
<html><b>Behold, obeying</b> His command is better than a choice offering.23<i class=“footnote”>‘<span>ה</span> prefers the fulfillment of His command over the offering of voluntary sacrifices.</i> <b>To hearken [is better] than the fat of rams.</b> This refers to, “Behold, obeying [is better] than a choice offering, and to hearken [is better] than the fat of rams.”</html>
<html><b>For defiance is like the sin of sorcery, and stubborness is like the sin of idolatry.</b> And like the penalty for idolatry, so is the penalty for stubborness.24<i class=“footnote”> Shaul’s original sin was compared to sorcery, but his insisting on his innocence was compared to the more serious sin of idolatry; Shaul was compounding his original sin by insisting on his innocence.</i> Targum Yonoson renders, 'For, as the sin of a people [who divine, so is the sin of any man who disobeys the word of Adonoy]25<i class=“footnote”> Just as one who divines demonstrates that he removes his trust in ‘<span>ה</span> and looks for other means to determine his future, so does one who disobeys and rebels against the word of ‘<span>ה</span> indicate he removes his belief in the power of ‘<span>ה</span> to reward and punish.—Radak</i> and as the sins of a nation who has strayed after idols, so is the sin of any person who adds [to the words of a prophet]. <b>Stubborness.</b> An expression adding, and similarly, “He urged [<span>וַיִפְצַר</span>] him,”26<i class=“footnote”> Bereishis 33:11.</i> i.e., he spoke many words to convince him.</html>
<html><b>I feared the people.</b> [Referring to] Do'eg, the Edomite,27<i class=“footnote”> He was the head of the Sanhedrin and was considered a giant in his Torah scholarship. See Maseches Sanhedrin 106b.</i> who was as important as all of them.</html>
<html><b>And he grabbed the corner of his robe.</b> According to the simple meaning, it seems that when Shmuel turned to leave Shaul, Shaul grabbed the corner of Shmuel's [robe], since Shaul was asking him to return until he would prostate himself in Gilgol, where the Tent of Meeting was. In Midrash Aggadah, however, Amora'im differ; some say that Shaul tore Shmuel's robe, and some say that Shmuel tore Shaul's robe,28<i class=“footnote”>As a symbol of his loss of kingship. Another version is that Shmuel tore his own robe as a gesture of dismay.</i> giving over to him this sign, that whoever will tear a corner of his robe, would reign in his place. And that is what Shaul said to Dovid on the day he tore [Shaul's] robe, 'I know that you will surely reign.'29<i class=“footnote”> Below 24:21. See Rashi’s commentary there.</i></html>
<html><b>But, the Eternal One of Yisroel neither lies.</b> And if you will say, 'I will repent of my sin before Him,' it will no longer avail to take the kingship from the one to whom it was given, for the Holy One, Blessed is He, Who is the Eternal One of Yisroel, will not lie by not giving the good to whom He said to give it.</html>
<html><b>Agag went to him bound.</b> Targum Yonoson renders, mincingly.30<i class=“footnote”> Malbim renders ‘joyfully.’</i> <b>Indeed, the bitterness of death approaches.</b> Indeed, I know that it has turned and is approaching toward me—the bitterness of death.</html>
<html><b>As your sword bereaved women.</b> To render them widows from their husbands, for you would cut off the membrum virile of the youths of Yisroel.31<i class=“footnote”> See Rashi Devarim 25:18.</i> <b>[Shmuel] cut.</b> He cut him into four pieces. This word has no likeness [in Scripture]. The Targum renders <span>וַיְשַׁסֵּף</span> as <span>וּפָשַׁח</span>. And in our Gemara we find, 'he broke off [<span>מפשח</span>] a branch, and gave us several twigs,'32<i class=“footnote”> Beitzah 33b.</i> meaning that he split.33<i class=“footnote”> See Rashi’s commentary in Eichah 3:11.</i></html>