CHAPTER FIFTEEN

15:1
Samuel said to Saul, "I am the one the LOR sent to anoint !ou "in# o$e% his &eo&le Is%ael' so
listen no( to the messa#e )%om the LOR*
+
This is (hat the LOR Almi#ht! sa!s: ,I (ill &unish the
Amale"ites )o% (hat the! did to Is%ael (hen the! (a!laid them as the! -ame u& )%om E#!&t*
.
No( #o,
atta-" the Amale"ites and totall! dest%o! e$e%!thin# that /elon#s to them* o not s&a%e them' &ut to
death men and (omen, -hild%en and in)ants, -attle and shee&, -amels and don"e!s*0 "
These Amalekites referred the traditional southern marauders rather than a smaller Amalekite enclave
occupying an area in the hills of western Samaria. (Zondervan) Years have passed and Saul has not
eliminated Israels enemies.
e$e%!thin# that /elon#s to them lit. !everything that "reathes under "an#. A "an is $the irrevoca"le giving
over of things or persons to the %&'() often "y totally destroying them.$ (Zondervan) This is to "e a holy
war. This is "e a war against the enemies of *od (+,. -./-0). 1hat is put to the "an is consecrated to *od.
(232)
-amels 2amels are mentioned "ecause the Amalekites used camels in the raiding parties (4ud. 0/5)
According to (eut. 67 only the men would "e killed in distant cities) "ut the hatred "etween the Amalekites
and Israel was so great) everyone and everything was placed under the "an) even though it was a distant city.

DT 20:10
When you march up to attack a city, make its people an ofer of
peace.
11
If they accept and open their gates, all the people in it shall e
su!ect to forced laor and shall "ork for you.
12
If they refuse to make
peace and they engage you in attle, lay siege to that city.
1#
When the $%&D
your 'od deli(ers it into your hand, put to the s"ord all the men in it.
1)
*s
for the "omen, the children, the li(estock and e(erything else in the city,
you may take these as plunder for yoursel(es. *nd you may use the plunder
the $%&D your 'od gi(es you from your enemies.
1+
This is ho" you are to
treat all the cities that are at a distance from you and do not elong to the
nations neary.

DT 20:1,
-o"e(er, in the cities of the nations the $%&D your 'od is gi(ing
you as an inheritance, do not lea(e ali(e anything that reathes.
1.

/ompletely destroy them00the -ittites, *morites, /anaanites, 1eri22ites,
-i(ites and 3eusites [the Amalekites are not included]00as the $%&D your 'od
has commanded you.
14
%ther"ise, they "ill teach you to follo" all the
detestale things they do in "orshiping their gods, and you "ill sin against
the $%&D your 'od.
!This list is ominously echoed88almost ver"atim88in 66/-9) where Saul e,terminates all the inha"itants of the
town of :o". ;okkelman o"serves that $in killing everyone in :o") including Yahweh<s priests) Saul takes
his revenge against *od. Saul does to a town of Yahweh<s priests what *od through Samuel had ordered Saul
to do to the Amalekites$ (Zondervan)
Hol! 1a% See End Note
Not 2eno-ide See End Note
-
1hy were all the animals to "e killed= This was not to "e seen as a war for plunder or wealth> it was a war to
e,terminate the enemy of the %ord.
The command to e,terminate them was given years ago/ +, -./?8-5) :um -@/67865) and (eut 65/-.8-9.
!The %ord is not slow a"out Ais promise) as some count slowness) "ut is patient toward you) not wishing for
any to perish "ut for all to come to repentance (6 Beter C/9) :AS3).
3
So Saul summoned the men and muste%ed them at Telaim44t(o hund%ed thousand )oot soldie%s and
ten thousand men )%om 5udah*
5
Saul (ent to the -it! o) Amale" and set an am/ush in the %a$ine*
6

Then he said to the 7enites, "2o a(a!, lea$e the Amale"ites so that I do not dest%o! !ou alon# (ith
them' )o% !ou sho(ed "indness to all the Is%aelites (hen the! -ame u& out o) E#!&t*" So the 7enites
mo$ed a(a! )%om the Amale"ites*
Telaim This is pro"a"ly Telem (4osh. -5/6-)6@)) a city on the eastern "order of 4udah and near the territory
of the Amalekites.
Saul had -7)777 troops from 4udah and 677)777 from the rest of the tri"es of Israel. +ven at this time there
was little union "etween the two. This is a large num"er of soldiers. In chapter C Saul had an army of C)777.
1hatever the num"er) he had plenty of soldiers to accomplish the mission.
3efore Saul<s main attack against the Amalekites) he urged the Denites living in or near Amalekite territory
(cf. 6./-7> C7/69) to move out (at least temporarily) to avoid getting killed in the crossfire. Saul<s regard for
the welfare of the Denites is in recognition of the fact that they $showed kindness$ to the Israelite spies
centuries earlier and had thus "een spared in return (4osh 6/-68-@). The Denites settled in 4udah and were
long time friends of Israel. (avid would later also offer the Denites amnesty (6./-7) C7/69)
8
Then Saul atta-"ed the Amale"ites all the (a! )%om Ha$ilah to Shu%, to the east o) E#!&t*
This is an enormous distance) from 1. Ara"ia almost to +gypt. The author may "e descri"ing a total victory.
(132). Saul attacked the Amalekites throughout their territory from the south8east towards the west and
north8west. (BA2)
9
He too" A#a# "in# o) the Amale"ites ali$e, and all his &eo&le he totall! dest%o!ed (ith the s(o%d*
:

;ut Saul and the a%m! s&a%ed A#a# and the /est o) the shee& and -attle, the )at -al$es and lam/s44
e$e%!thin# that (as #ood* These the! (e%e un(illin# to dest%o! -om&letel!, /ut e$e%!thin# that (as
des&ised and (ea" the! totall! dest%o!ed*
A#a# may "e a dynastic royal name among the Amalekites. (Zondervan)
He too" A#a# "in# o) the Amale"ites ali$e 1hy did he take him alive= Eay"e for the glory of displaying
him as a trophy. Saul saved the "est of the animals and he saved the "est of the Amalekites) Agag.
and all his &eo&le he totall! dest%o!ed (ith the s(o%d Saul killed all the people he found (C7/-). The
Amalekites were defeated throughout their territory.
6
These the! (e%e un(illin# to dest%o! -om&letel! The word $unwilling$ is linked elsewhere with the sin of
re"ellion ((eut -/60).
/ut e$e%!thin# that (as des&ised and (ea" the! totall! dest%o!ed &nly the second "est was spared
1<
Then the (o%d o) the LOR -ame to Samuel:
11
"I am #%ie$ed that I ha$e made Saul "in#, /e-ause
he has tu%ned a(a! )%om me and has not -a%%ied out m! inst%u-tions*" Samuel (as t%ou/led, and he
-%ied out to the LOR all that ni#ht*
The %ord revealed his word to Samuel.
2od Re&ents See End Note
I am #%ie$ed $I have repented$ in some translations. !I regret# in the Amp. 3i"le. The word implies deep
emotions. (Archer) This seems to contradict verse 69) !He (ho is the 2lo%! o) Is%ael does not lie o%
-han#e his mind' )o% he is not a man, that he should -han#e his mind*"
It would seem *od "oth changes his mind and doesnt change his mind. 1hether the word is repented or
grieved) *od does neither. Ae does not change his mind nor does he regret decision.
Samuel (as t%ou/led lit. it "urned in him. Also translated !angry#> !grieved and angry# (Amp) Angry and
no dou"t disappointed. Ae anointed Saul at *ods command. Ae had such high hopes for Saul.
and he -%ied out to the LOR all that ni#ht 1hat was Samuel praying for= ;or *od to forgive Sauls
diso"edience and keep him as king= ;or his own failures= Bossi"ly "oth.
1+
Ea%l! in the mo%nin# Samuel #ot u& and (ent to meet Saul, /ut he (as told, "Saul has #one to
Ca%mel* The%e he has set u& a monument in his o(n hono% and has tu%ned and #one on do(n to
2il#al*"
Saul it seems had more important things to do than to wait to hear from Samuel) the prophet of *od. Aow
insulting to Samuel and *od. 1hat was so important=
he has set u& a monument in his o(n hono% lit !set up a hand#. Eay"e the monument was in the shaper of
a hand) so say some commentators or a victory pillar with an account of the victory. The pillar was not to
honor *od "ut himself. This was a like a trophy.
1.
1hen Samuel %ea-hed him, Saul said, "The LOR /less !ou= I ha$e -a%%ied out the LOR0s
inst%u-tions*"
They are pro"a"ly at *ilgal. This is where Saul was made king and where Samuel announced the end of his
dynasty.
Saul greets Samuel in the usual friendly way. You have to wonder if Saul is feeling the heat for his sin.
I ha$e -a%%ied out the LOR0s inst%u-tions &f course this isnt true. Saul is lying to Samuel and to *od.
C
13
;ut Samuel said, "1hat then is this /leatin# o) shee& in m! ea%s> 1hat is this lo(in# o) -attle that I
hea%>"
Saul spared lots of animals and theyre making a lot of noise.

15
Saul ans(e%ed, "The soldie%s /%ou#ht them )%om the Amale"ites' the! s&a%ed the /est o) the shee&
and -attle to sa-%i)i-e to the LOR !ou% 2od, /ut (e totall! dest%o!ed the %est*"
/ut (e totall! dest%o!ed the %est !F "ut the rest we put under the "an.# (132)
Saul has two e,cuses/ his men did it and they had a godly motive) to sacrifice them to the %ord.
Saul has lost the last "it of self8respect. &ne author writes) !Fhis downward career was henceforth almost
inevita"le.# (BA2)
16 ?
Sto&=" Samuel said to Saul* "Let me tell !ou (hat the LOR said to me last ni#ht*"
"Tell me," Saul %e&lied*
" Sto&=" &r !3e Guiet.# (132) The implication from -C/-C is !stop "ecause youre talking foolishly#.
(Zondervan) 1e might say) !Stop wasting your "reath.#
18
Samuel said, "Althou#h !ou (e%e on-e small in !ou% o(n e!es, did !ou not /e-ome the head o) the
t%i/es o) Is%ael> The LOR anointed !ou "in# o$e% Is%ael*
19
And he sent !ou on a mission, sa!in#, ,2o
and -om&letel! dest%o! those (i-"ed &eo&le, the Amale"ites' ma"e (a% on them until !ou ha$e (i&ed
them out*0
1:
1h! did !ou not o/e! the LOR> 1h! did !ou &oun-e on the &lunde% and do e$il in the
e!es o) the LOR>"
Althou#h !ou (e%e on-e small in !ou% o(n e!es This is a reference to Sauls own words (9/6-) !It is the
humiliating reminder to the haughty Saul of the low position whence he had "een elevated to the headship of
Israel and of the modesty and humility which he then possessed.# (+rdmann) BA2 p. -5.)
The 132 has) !Are you so small in your own estimation even though you are head of the tri"es of Israel=#
The point is that no amount of humility can a"solve Saul from his sin.
1h! did !ou &oun-e on the &lunde% &r !swoop down on the plunder.# (Amp.) They were eager for the
wealth of the Amalekites. Saul didnt save the "est of the plunder for any pious reason. Again false piety is
condemned.
+<
";ut I did o/e! the LOR," Saul said* "I (ent on the mission the LOR assi#ned me* I -om&letel!
dest%o!ed the Amale"ites and /%ou#ht /a-" A#a# thei% "in#*
+1
The soldie%s too" shee& and -attle )%om
the &lunde%, the /est o) (hat (as de$oted to 2od, in o%de% to sa-%i)i-e them to the LOR !ou% 2od at
2il#al*"
I -om&letel! dest%o!ed the Amale"ites This was not true. Eany survived.
@
Saul continues to make e,cuses for himself. Ae repeats what he did. :otice the !Is.# Ae also tries to
distinguish "etween what he did and what his troops did. Ae implies he saved Agag in order to kill him.
the /est o) (hat (as de$oted to 2od, in o%de% to sa-%i)i-e them to the LOR !ou% 2od at 2il#al*" Its
as if Saul was saying) he honored "oth *od and Samuel "y diso"eying "oth. (BA2 p. -5.) Aes saying) I
diso"eyed you %ord for your glory. This is an e,ample of taking the name of the %ord in vain) using *ods
name to Hustify a sinful action.
1hy is Saul wrong in his e,cuse= Aes changing the rules as it were. Sacrifice must "e offered to the %ord on
his terms) not ours. Saul<s postponement of the commanded destruction) however well meaning) constituted
flagrant violation of *od<s will. 1e do not o"ey the %ord unless we o"ey him -77I.
++
;ut Samuel %e&lied:
"oes the LOR deli#ht in /u%nt o))e%in#s and sa-%i)i-es
as mu-h as in o/e!in# the $oi-e o) the LOR>
To o/e! is /ette% than sa-%i)i-e,
and to heed is /ette% than the )at o) %ams Jthe fat was offered to *odK*
Lerses 66 and 6C are in poetic form.
!Saul<s terminology in v. 6- and Samuel<s in v. 66 link the diso"edience of Saul and his men to the earlier
wickedness of +li and his repro"ate sons. As the latter had sinfully fattened themselves on the $choice parts$
of Israel<s offerings (6/69)) so Saul<s troops had stu""ornly kept the $"est$ of the plundered animals in order
to sacrifice them (v. 6-> the Ae". word in the two passages is identical and is not the same as the word for
$"est$ in vv. 9) -5). As the doom of Aophni and Bhinehas was sealed "ecause it was the %ord<s $will$ to put
them to death (6/65)) so the reHection of Saul is irreversi"le "ecause the %ord does not $delight$ in willful
diso"edience (v. 66> same Ae". root in "oth verses).# (Zondervan)
To o/e! is /ette% than sa-%i)i-e To o"ey the 1ord of *od. Samuel communicated the 1ord of *od to Saul.
The %ord isnt interested in church attendance) teaching Sunday School) or giving to the church as much as
he is in o"eying his 1ord) the Scriptures.

+.
Fo% %e/ellion is li"e the sin o) di$ination,
and a%%o#an-e li"e the e$il o) idolat%!*
;e-ause !ou ha$e %e@e-ted the (o%d o) the LOR,
he has %e@e-ted !ou as "in#*"
Fo% %e/ellion This is re"ellion against Samuel) the communicator of *ods 1ord and re"ellion against *od
and Ais 1ord. (ivination was prohi"ited ((eut. -?/-7)> it too was re"ellion against *od and his 1ord.
!The alternative to o"edience is costly/# (Zondervan) To half8 way o"ey the %ord is to diso"ey him.
;e-ause !ou ha$e %e@e-ted the (o%d o) the LOR Saul has reHected the 1ord of *od for too many years
to "e a"le to recover.
5
!As the doom of Aophni and Bhinehas was sealed "ecause it was the %ord<s $will$ to put them to death
(6/65)) so the reHection of Saul is irreversi"le "ecause the %ord does not $delight$ in willful diso"edienceF#
(Zondervan)
The %ord emphasiMes o"eying his word more than sacrificial ritual (Bss @7/08?> 5-/-08-.> Isa -/--8-5> 4er
./6-86C> Aos 0/0> Eic 0/08?> Eark -6/C68CC). Today the %ord values o"eying his word more than going to
church or any other ritual one may have.
+3
Then Saul said to Samuel, "I ha$e sinned* I $iolated the LOR0s -ommand and !ou% inst%u-tions* I
(as a)%aid o) the &eo&le and so I #a$e in to them*
!Then Saul replied to Samuel) I have sinned "ecause I have ignored the message of the %ord and your
message "ecause I feared the people and listened to them.# (Thieme)
I (as a)%aid o) the &eo&le Afraid of the pu"lic opinion. !Afraid of the troops#. (132) Saul is still making
e,cuses for his sin. &ne cant get "ack into fellowship without confession of sin and without making
e,cuses. This isnt much of an e,cuse) to "e afraid of his troops. (id the troops want the plunder= Bro"a"ly
so.
so I #a$e in to them lit. o"eyed them. (Zondervan) !o"eyed their voice.# (Amp.) Saul o"eyed the voice of
man and diso"eyed *od through the prophet Samuel.
+5
No( I /e# !ou, )o%#i$e m! sin and -ome /a-" (ith me, so that I ma! (o%shi& the LOR*"
Saul says this to Samuel.
Is this true repentance or pseudo repentance=
+6
;ut Samuel said to him, "I (ill not #o /a-" (ith !ou* Aou ha$e %e@e-ted the (o%d o) the LOR, and
the LOR has %e@e-ted !ou as "in# o$e% Is%ael="
Samuel wasnt satisfied with Sauls e,cuses.
+8
As Samuel tu%ned to lea$e, Saul -au#ht hold o) the hem o) his %o/e, and it to%e*
;or Samuel the conversation is over.
The word !Saul# is not in the ET "ut supplied "y @NSama) the %OO)
!Fthe tearing of Samuel<s ro"e implies an irrepara"le "reech "etween Saul and Samuel as well as the more
o"vious sundering of the kingdom from Saul<s personal rule and that of his descendants (v. 6?> cf. similarly -
Dings --/--8-C) 698C-)) dashing whatever am"itions his sons 4onathan (-?/-85> 6C/-08-?) and Ish83osheth
(6 Sam 6/?89) and his grandson Eephi"osheth (6 Sam -0/C) might eventually have had.# (Zondervan)
Sauls action was an pro"a"ly an act of contrition. (132)
0
+9
Samuel said to him, "The LOR has to%n the "in#dom o) Is%ael )%om !ou toda! and has #i$en it to
one o) !ou% nei#h/o%s44to one /ette% than !ou*
The $neigh"or$ destined to receive Saul<s kingdom is (avid) whose identity is clearly revealed to Saul once
and for all "y the ro"ed apparition of Samuel (6?/-@) -.8-?). As o"edience is $"etter than$ sacrifice (v. 66))
so (avid is $"etter than$ Saul. It goes without saying that the new ruler should "e $"etter than$ his or her
predecessor) and it is ironic that Saul himself had originally "een considered $"etter than$ any other man.
+:
He (ho is the 2lo%! o) Is%ael does not lie o% -han#e his mind' )o% he is not a man, that he should
-han#e his mind*"
He (ho is the 2lo%! o) Is%ael %iterally) The 3right 2ontinually. This phrase has many translations and
interpretations. &ne meaning is that *od can "e relied upon like the sun and stars. The word means glory)
perpetuity) and trust. &ther translations have strength) the Strength of Israel (Amp). The 132 has) !The
;aithful &ne of Israel.#
)o% he is not a man *od does not have human emotions and feelings.
This is the doctrine of immuta"ility. *od<s nature and purposes never change.
Immuta/ilit!
-. (efinition/ *od never changes. !... the unchangea"leness of his essence) attri"utes) purposes) and
consciousness.# (Shedd Lol. - p. C5-) 2alled (ivine 'elia"ility. (&den p. --7)
*od is already infinitely perfect.
*od cannot "e more or less than he is.
*od is the same *od of the &T as the :T.
*od cannot change his purposes) plan) promises) or his person.
*ods seemingness to change only verifies Ais unchangea"leness.
6. Lerses
Eal C/0 $;or I) the %&'() do not change> therefore you) & sons of 4aco") are not consumed.#
4ames -/-. !+very good thing "estowed and every perfect gift is from a"ove) coming down from the
;ather of lights) with whom there is no variation) or shifting shadow.#
Bs. -76/60) 6.) CC/--) 97/6) Ae". -C/?)
-Sam -5/69 !And also the *lory of Israel will not lie or change Ais mind> for Ae is not a man that Ae
should change Ais mind.$
Bsa --7/@ !The %&'( has sworn and will not change Ais mind) $Thou art a priest forever according
to the order of EelchiMedek.$
:um 6C/-9 !*od is not a man) that Ae should lie) nor a son of man) that Ae should repent> has Ae
said) and will Ae not do it= &r has Ae spoken) and will Ae not make it good=#
.
C. Seemingly contradictions. *od is said to repent in some verses and said to "e not repent in other verses
*od) however) is not static) unresponsive to changing circumstances) or immo"ile. !The Scriptures employ
anthropomorphic metaphors and analogies to speak of *ods free responsive to human needs amid changing
historical circumstances.# (&den p. --6) A change in *ods mind is a !different phase of the unfolding of the
divine plan.# (p. --C)
*ods seeming to change only verifies Ais unchangea"leness. *en 0/0 And it repented the %&'( that he had
made man on the earth) and it grieved him at his heart.#(D4L) 1hen mankind sinned) *ods holy character
was offended so much that Ae is said to wish that Ae had never made man in the first place. The verse
emphasiMes *ods holiness and Hustice and love. *od did not want to destroy mankind from the earth.
3elievers are urged to pray) "ut does prayer change *ods mind. -Thes 5/-. !pray without ceasing>#
!Brayer doth not desire any change in *od) "ut is offered to *od that he would confer those things which he
hath immuta"ly willed and purposed to communicate> "ut he willed them not without prayer as the means of
"estowing them.# (2harnocke) Guoted "y Shedd Lol. III p. -@0)
.<
Saul %e&lied, "I ha$e sinned* ;ut &lease hono% me /e)o%e the elde%s o) m! &eo&le and /e)o%e Is%ael'
-ome /a-" (ith me, so that I ma! (o%shi& the LOR !ou% 2od*"
Saul wanted to save face "efore the elders and people of Israel "y pu"licly worshiping the %ord with Samuel
and so demonstrating his allegiance to him. Saul was still concerned a"out pu"lic opinion and saving face.
.1
So Samuel (ent /a-" (ith Saul, and Saul (o%shi&ed the LOR*
Samuel relented to Sauls reGuest> Saul seems to have realiMed his sin. Saul is still king and Samuel wants the
people to know it.
!Samuel88a man) not *od88this time relented.# (Zondervan)
.+
Then Samuel said, ";%in# me A#a# "in# o) the Amale"ites*" A#a# -ame to him -on)identl!, thin"in#,
"Su%el! the /itte%ness o) death is &ast*"
The 132 has) !Samuel said) P3ring Agag king of Amalek to me. Agag came to him trem"ling and hesitant.
-on)identl! ?cheerfully# (Amp.)> !Hoyfully# (1ordworth) BA2)> !cheerfully# (Amp)> pleasantly (23)> !in
chains# (Zondervan) 2+L)
!cautiously# (:D4)> !delicately# (D4)> !trem"ling and hesitant# (132)
!The phrase is o"scure.# (BA2) 232)
thin"in#, "Su%el! the /itte%ness o) death is &ast*" &r !thinking) PSurely death is "itter.# (132) Eay"e
Agag thought his life would "e spared or he has resigned himself to his fate.
?
..
;ut Samuel said, "As !ou% s(o%d has made (omen -hildless, so (ill !ou% mothe% /e -hildless amon#
(omen*" And Samuel &ut A#a# to death /e)o%e the LOR at 2il#al*
Agag deserved to "e e,ecuted.
And Samuel &ut A#a# to death /e)o%e the LOR at 2il#al Samuel hacked him to pieces "efore the altar
for the glory of *od.
Today) soldiers are to kill the enemy for the glory of *od.
1hether therefore ye eat) or drink) or whatsoever ye do) do all to the glory of *od$ (- 2orinthians -7/C-).
$And whatsoever ye do in word or deed) do all in the name of the %ord 4esus) giving thanks to *od and the
;ather "y him$ (2olossians C/-.).
$And whatsoever ye do) do it heartily) as to the %ord) and not unto men$ (2olossians C/6C).
.3
Then Samuel le)t )o% Ramah, /ut Saul (ent u& to his home in 2i/eah o) Saul*
.5
Bntil the da! Samuel died, he did not #o to see Saul a#ain, thou#h Samuel mou%ned )o% him* And the
LOR (as #%ie$ed that he had made Saul "in# o$e% Is%ael*
Bntil the da! Samuel died, he did not #o to see Saul a#ain Although Saul would see Samuel again on
more than one occasion (-9/6C86@> 6?/-78--)) never again would Samuel initiate such a meeting.
thou#h Samuel mou%ned )o% him Samuel nonetheless $mourned$ for Saul (cf. -0/-)) the narrator using the
ver" that is normally used for lamenting for the dead. *unn o"serves) $As far as Samuel is concerned) Saul is
a dead man.$
And the LOR (as #%ie$ed that he had made Saul "in# o$e% Is%ael The %ord reHected the kingship of
Saul "ut not the person of Saul.
2od -ommanded the 5e(s to dest%o! the Amale"ites
-. This was prophesied.
+,. -./-0 and he said) $The %&'( has sworn> the %&'( will have war against Amalek from
generation to generation.$
6. This was commanded.
1hile Israel would fight the Amalekites for many years) it would one day utterly destroy them.
(eut 65/-.8-9 !'emem"er what Amalek did to you along the way when you came out from +gypt)
how he met you along the way and attacked among you all the stragglers at your rear when you were faint
and weary> and he did not fear *od. Therefore it shall come a"out when the %&'( your *od has given you
rest from all your surrounding enemies) in the land which the %&'( your *od gives you as an inheritance to
possess) you shall "lot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven> you must not forget.#
C. This was not genocide. *enocide involves
9
- an internal group
6 a minority group
C a group targeted "ecause of their Amalekite8ness (since they were welcome as immigrants in Israel)
@ a group under government control.
5 a group that is pursed and hunted in other countries for e,termination.
@. This command included all adults) innocent and guilty.
There were few such innocents. ;or hundreds of years the Amalekites were inculcated with a hatred
of the Israelites.
Those that were innocent died "y association with the guilty.
5. This command meant killing innocent children.
1e "elieve that *ods grace is e,tended to those who die in infancy or as small children> the death of
these children was actually their salvation. (Is ./-58-0) (t -/C@8C9).
The terri"le totality of the destruction was undou"tedly related to the prohi"ition of assimilation to
pagan nations on Israels part. In commanding complete destruction of the 2anaanites) the %ord says) !You
shall not intermarry with them) giving your daughters to their sons) or taking their daughters for your sons)
for they would turn away your sons from following me) to serve other gods# ((eut ..C8@).
:othing could so illustrate to the 4ews the seriousness of their calling as a people set apart for *od
alone. Yahweh is not to "e trifled with. Ae means "usiness) and if Israel apostatiMes the same could happen
to her.
0. The command was not solely due to the ancient) initial savagery against Israel) "ut also included present
atrocities as well. In fact) the initial atrocity is not mentioned at all in this Hudgment.
.. This command would have "een lifted had the Amalekites repented. 4er 60.-80 and 4er -?..8?/ $At one
moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to uproot) to pull down) or to destroy it>
if that nation against which I have spoken turns from its evil) I will relent concerning the calamity I planned
to "ring on it.#
?. This command did not end the hostilities "etween the Amalekites and Israel. +ven after this annihilation a
group of Amalekites attacked Israel (- Sam C7).
9. This command is consistent with *od as the maker of all things and the ruler of all people) *od has
a"solute rights of ownership over all people and places.
!In the "eginning) *od created the heavens and the earth# (*en. -/-) !and the sea and all that is in them#
(Act -@/-5). This means that !The earth is the %&'(s and the fullness thereof) the world and those who
dwell therein# (Bs. 6@/-). As *od says) !All the earth is mine# (+,. -9/5) and !every "east of the forest is
mine# (Bs. 57/-7). *ods ownership of all means that he is also free to do as he wishes over all things. !&ur
*od is in the heavens> he does all that he pleases# (Bs. --5/C). 1ithin this free sovereignty *od !determined
allotted periods and the "oundaries of Jeach nationsK dwelling place# (Acts -./60). *od has 2reator rights)
and no one can say to him) !1hat are you doing=# (4o" 9/-6).
2od is Not 2%ie$ed
-. *od is always happy. The happiness of *od is within himself and the *odhead and in his relationship to
those in the family of *od.
6. Authors
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!The &ne who in the fullest sense is happy is the eternally happy &neQQ *od.# (&den p. 659) !To *od)
merely to "e is the source of infinite enHoyment... *od is happy simply and eternally to "e.# (&den p. 0@)
To "e unhappy is to say that *ods disposition can change. !*od is unchanging in his "eing) perfections)
purposes) and promises...# (3erkhof) Guoted "y *ruedem in his Systematic Theology p. -0C)
!The language does not imply any passion or uneasiness in *od (nothing can create distur"ance to the
+ternal Eind) "ut it e,presses his Hust and holy displeasure against sin and sinners...#(E. Aenry p. -.)
!The (ivine "lessedness JhappinessK is not destroyed "y the sin of his creatures or "y his own holy
displeasure against it.# (Shedds (ogmatic Theology Lol. - p.-.?) ;or an e,planation of *ods !emotions#
see Shedds Theology pp. -.78-.?. !*od cannot "e the su"Hect of any emotion that is intrinsically and
necessarily an unhappy one.# (Shedd Lol. - p. -.@) *od "lessedness or happiness !is independent of the
universe. *od) therefore) must find all the conditions of "lessedness within himself alone. Ae does not need
the universe in order that he may have an o"Hect which he can know) which he can love) and over which he
can reHoice. (Shedd Lol. - p. -?@)
!*od is perfectly happy... he has fullness of Hoy in himself.# (*rudem p. 6-?)
*od is happy "ecause of who Ae is. *od does not respond to his creatures "ecause there is something in
them that makes *od happy. *od is made happy "y "elievers when !he sees the reflection of his own
e,cellent Gualities in which he is reHoicing.# (*rudem p. 6-9)
!*od is the eternal) independent) and self8e,isting 3eing... infinitely happy "ecause infinitely perfect and
eternally self8sufficient) needing nothing that Ae has made...# (3utlers 3i"le81ork p. 96)
C. :othing can make *od unhappy. The Blan of *od is perfect. :othing takes *od "y surprise. !'emem"er
the former things) those of long ago> I am *od) and there is no other> I am *od) and there is none like me. I
make known the end from the "eginning) from ancient times) what is still to come. I say/ Ey purpose will
stand) and I will do all that I please. ;rom the east I summon a "ird of prey> from a far8off land) a man to
fulfill my purpose. 1hat I have said) that will I "ring a"out> what I have planned) that will I do.# Isa. @0/98--
*od was pleased to put the %ord to death. +ven the death of the Second Berson of the *odhead did not
make *od unhappy. !Yet it pleased 4ehovah to "ruise him>...#(ASL) !3ut the %&'( was pleased to crush
Aim) putting Aim to grief> ...#(:AS) !Yet it pleased the %&'( to "ruise him> he hath put him to grief/ ..#
(D4L) Isa. 5C/-7
2od oes Not Re&ent C Chan#e His Dind
*en 0/0 And it repented the %&'( that he had made man on the earth) and it grieved him at his heart.#(D4L)
+, C6/-@ !So the %&'( changed Ais mind JrepentedK a"out the harm which Ae said Ae would do to Ais
people.#
-Sam -5/-- !I regret JrepentedK that I have made Saul king) for he has turned "ack from following Ee) and
has not carried out Ey commands.$ And Samuel was distressed and cried out to the %&'( all night.#(:AS)
(id *od regret that he made Saul king= &f course not. To regret something is to make a mistake) and *od
never makes mistakes. The (ivine action is to remove Saul as king and have him die.
--
Bs 97/-C !(o return JrepentK) & %&'(> how long will it "e= And "e sorry for Thy servants.#
In other words) "less Israel) vss. -@8-..
4er -5/0 !You who have forsaken me)$ declares the %&'() $You keep going "ackward. So I will stretch out
Ey hand against you and destroy you> I am tired of relenting JrepentingK R# *od does not approve of Israels
false repentance.
4er 60/-9 !(id AeMekiah king of 4udah and all 4udah put him to death= (id he not fear the %&'( and entreat
the favor of the %&'() and the %&'( changed Ais mind JrepentedK a"out the misfortune which Ae had
pronounced against them= 3ut we are committing a great evil against ourselves.$(:AS)
6Sam 6@/-0 !1hen the angel stretched out his hand toward 4erusalem to destroy it) the %&'( relented
JrepentedK from the calamity) and said to the angel who destroyed the people) $It is enoughR :ow rela, your
handR$ And the angel of the %&'( was "y the threshing floor of Araunah the 4e"usite.#(:AS)
4onah C/98-7 !1ho knows) *od may turn and relent) and withdraw Ais "urning anger so that we shall not
perish= 1hen *od saw their deeds) that they turned from their wicked way) then *od relented concerning the
calamity which Ae had declared Ae would "ring upon them. And Ae did not do it.#
1hen the people changed their attitude towards *od) *od changed his policy towards the people.
Yet *od is said to "e unchangea"le.
!*od is not a man) that he should lie) nor a son of man) that he should change his mind. (oes he speak and
then not act= (oes he promise and not fulfill=# :um. 6C/-9
!Ae who is the *lory of Israel does not lie or change his mind> for he is not a man) that he should change his
mind.# -Sam. -5/69
!I the %&'( do not change. So you) & descendants of 4aco") are not destroyed.# Bsa. -76/6.
!3ut you remain the same) and your years will never end. #Eal C/0
!+very good and perfect gift is from a"ove) coming down from the ;ather of the heavenly lights) who does
not change like shifting shadows.# 4ames -/-.
!You will roll them up like a ro"e> like a garment they will "e changed. 3ut you remain the same) and your
years will never end.# Ae". -/-6
To change ones mind means to have new information and see things differently. *od always has all the facts.
Ae never sees anything more clearly than he did when he first thought a"out the issus in +ternity Bast.
*ods repentance is not a change of will "ut a will to change. *od always does what is fair and right. (Shedd
Lol. - p. C56)
The change in *ods dealing with man shows that *od in always active> that he has a personality) has self8
determination> and that the will of *od is free in the highest sense of the word. (Aodge Lol. - pp. C978@7C)
*od changes Ais attitude) and Ais "ehavior) when man changes his heart. *od will remove his Hudgments if
man will turn to him. *od is fair. !If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to "e uprooted) torn
-6
down and destroyed) and if that nation I warned repents of its evil) then I will relent and not inflict on it the
disaster I had planned.# 4er. -?/.8? !'end your heart and not your garments. 'eturn to the %&'( your *od)
for he is gracious and compassionate) slow to anger and a"ounding in love) and he relents from sending
calamity.# 4oel 6/-C !1hen *od saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways) he had
compassion and did not "ring upon them the destruction he had threatened.# 4onah C/-7
*od repenting is an anthropomorphism. !...in the anthropomorphic style ...Ae is descri"ed as a"out to alter
Ais visi"le procedure towards mankind88 from "eing merciful and long8suffering) Ae was a"out to show
Aimself a *od of Hudgment.# (4) ; S 3 p. 97)
!1e are dealing with a clear cut anthropomorphic figure of speech...The intent is to e,press the serious
"reach that had taken place in the relationship of *od to man.#(Aalders p. -5?)
Bromises and threats to people and nations are conditional. If man changes) his punishment will "e lifted.
!*od responds differently to different situations.# (*rudem p. -0@)
!The change is *ods treatment of men is descri"ed anthropomorphically as if it were a change in *od
himself...# (Strong Guoted in 2hafer Lol. - p. 6-9)
!The anthropopathic e,pression for the change of the (ivine procedureF# (BA2 p.-5.)
*od interacts with people in the world.... Ais reactions to the deeds of others reflect a coherent pattern.
2odEs Hol! 1a%
*od commanded a holy war against the 2anaanites.
&nly *od could issue such a command.
It was a war of e,termination.
These people and their religion were a threat to the Israelites and the world.
The 4ews were always attracted to the gods of the 2anaanites.
4(* C/5
The Israelites lived among the 2anaanites) Aittites) Amorites) BeriMMites) Aivites and 4e"usites.
0
They
took their daughters in marriage and gave their own daughters to their sons) and served their gods.
Therefore *od had to eliminate them.
The 2anaanites hated the Israelites and would always hate them.
The 2anaanites were the enemies of *od.
There are no holy wars of e,termination today.
-C