Bible Strands
1 Samuel 15:1
Then Samuel said to Saul, “The LORD sent me to anoint you king over His people Israel. Now therefore, listen to the words of the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Samuel speaks to Saul at the moment the Lord issues a military directive against the Amalekites. The prophet addresses the king of Israel to deliver a fresh divine command.
The words — The Hebrew verb שָׁלַ֤ח (sha.Lach) means "he sent," marking Samuel's commission as a direct dispatch from Yahweh. The phrase לִ/מְשָׁחֳ/ךָ֣ (li/m.sho.cho./Kha) translates literally as "to anoint you," referencing the initial consecration event.
The thread — This commission recalls the earlier promise in 1 Samuel 9:16 where God instructed Samuel to anoint a ruler from Benjamin. It also aligns with the obedience conditional in 1 Samuel 12:14 and the subsequent rebuke for royal disobedience in 1 Samuel 13:13.
Why it lands — The text commands immediate attention to divine speech before any military action begins. It requires the reader to recognize that political authority remains subordinate to prophetic revelation and direct instruction.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 9:16 “At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you are to anoint him ruler over My people Israel; he will save them from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.”
- 1 Samuel 12:14 If you fear the LORD and serve Him and obey His voice, and if you do not rebel against the command of the LORD, and if both you and the king who rules over you follow the LORD your God, then all will be well.
- 1 Samuel 13:13 “You have acted foolishly,” Samuel declared. “You have not kept the command that the LORD your God gave you; if you had, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.
- 1 Chronicles 22:12 Above all, may the LORD give you insight and understanding when He puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the Law of the LORD your God.
- Psalms 2:10 Therefore be wise, O kings; be admonished, O judges of the earth.
- 1 Samuel 10:1 Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?
- 1 Samuel 15:16 “Stop!” exclaimed Samuel. “Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night.” “Tell me,” Saul replied.
- 2 Samuel 23:2 The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; His word was on my tongue.