Bible Strands
1 Samuel 15:32
Then Samuel said, “Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites.” Agag came to him cheerfully, for he thought, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Samuel commands his attendants to bring Agag to him after Saul has departed to worship the Lord, at the moment of reported victory over Amalek. Agag approaches expecting mercy, unaware that Samuel has already received a command to execute him.
The words — The command `הַגִּ֤ישׁוּ (ha.Gi.shu) = bring near` uses a Hiphil imperative demanding immediate proximity, while `אֲגַג֙ ('a.Gag) = Agag` identifies the captured king whose false relief hinges on his name. The text states Agag approached cheerfully, believing his death sentence had been revoked.
The thread — This pattern of deceptive security preceding sudden judgment appears in Jeremiah 48:44, 1 Thessalonians 5:3, and Revelation 18:7. Each passage warns that assumed safety often masks impending divine reckoning.
Why it lands — The verse demands recognition that temporary relief does not nullify divine judgment. It confronts the reader with the danger of mistaking circumstance for pardon.
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 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.
Cross-references
- Jeremiah 48:44 “Whoever flees the panic will fall into the pit, and whoever climbs from the pit will be caught in the snare. For I will bring upon Moab the year of their punishment,” declares the LORD.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:3 While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
- Revelation 18:7 As much as she has glorified herself and lived in luxury, give her the same measure of torment and grief. In her heart she says, ‘I sit as queen; I am not a widow and will never see grief.’