Bible Strands
1 Samuel 15:16
“Stop!” exclaimed Samuel. “Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night.” “Tell me,” Saul replied.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Samuel interrupts Saul’s defense of the spared livestock to deliver a message received the previous night. Saul immediately halts his explanation and commands Samuel to speak.
The words — The Hebrew הֶ֚רֶף (He.ref) issues a sharp command to “be quiet” or “stop,” cutting off Saul’s justification. The phrase וְ/אַגִּ֣ידָה (ve./'a.Gi.dah) then signals Samuel’s transition to recount exactly what the LORD communicated.
The thread — This prophetic interruption aligns with Samuel’s direct confrontations in 1 Samuel 9:27 and 12:7, while echoing the demand for unvarnished truth in 1 Kings 22:16.
Why it lands — The text establishes that human reasoning must yield to divine communication, requiring the reader to prioritize God’s prior word over human defense.
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
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.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 9:27 As they were going down to the edge of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us, but you stay for a while, and I will reveal to you the word of God.” So the servant went on.
- 1 Samuel 12:7 Now present yourselves, so that I may confront you before the LORD with all the righteous acts He has done for you and your fathers.
- 1 Kings 22:16 But the king said to him, “How many times must I make you swear not to tell me anything but the truth in the name of the LORD?”