Saul Rejected for Sparing Agag

1 Samuel 15

Samuel commands Saul, in the Lord's name, to utterly destroy Amalec and all that belongs to it, but Saul and the people spare King Agag and the best of the flocks and herds; Samuel confronts Saul for this disobedience, tells him the Lord has rejected him from being king, and himself puts Agag to death before the Lord.

About these editions

The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.

Thomson 1808Septuagint

Brenton 1851Septuagint

Greek · BrentonSeptuagint

KJV 1769Masoretic

JPS 1917Masoretic

ThomsonAND Samuel said to Saul, the Lord sent me to anoint thee king over Israel; now therefore hearken to the voice of the Lord.

BrentonAnd Samuel said to Saul, The Lord sent me to anoint thee king over Israel: and now hear the voice of the Lord.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαμουὴλ πρὸς Σαοὺλ, ἐμὲ ἀπέστειλε Κύριος χρίσαί σε εἰς βασιλεα ἐπὶ Ἰσραήλ· καὶ νῦν ἄκουε τῆς φωνῆς Κυρίου.

KJVSamuel 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.

JPSAnd Samuel 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.

ThomsonThus saith the Lord of Sabbaoth, Now will I take vengeance on Amelek, for the things which he did to Israel when he opposed them in the way, as they were coming up out of Egypt.

BrentonThus said the Lord of hosts, Now will I take vengeance for what Amalec did to Israel, when he met him in the way as he came up out of Egypt.

GreekΤάδε εἶπε Κύριος σαβαὼθ, νῦν ἐκδικήσω ἃ ἐποίησεν ʼΑμαλὴκ τῷ Ἰσραὴλ, ὡς ἀπήντησεν αὐτῷ ἐν τῇ ὁδῷ ἀναβαίνοντος αὐτοῦ ἐξ Αἰγύπτου.

KJVThus 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.

JPSThus saith the LORD of hosts: I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he set himself against him in the way, when he came up out of Egypt.

ThomsonNow therefore go, and smite Amelek, and Jerim, and all that belong to him. Thou shalt not spare one of him but utterly destroy him. Having devoted him and all belonging to him to destruction, thou shalt spare none, but shalt slay man and woman, infant and suckling, herds and flocks, camels and asses.

BrentonAnd now go, and thou shalt smite Amalec and Hierim and all that belongs to him, and thou shalt not save anything of him alive, but thou shalt utterly destroy him: and thou shalt devote him and all his to destruction, and thou shalt spare nothing belonging to him; and thou shalt slay both man and woman, and infant and suckling, and calf and sheep, and camel and ass.

GreekΚαὶ νῦν πορεύου, καὶ πατάξεις τὸν ʼΑμαλὴκ καὶ Ἱερὶμ καὶ πάντα τὰ αὐτοῦ, καὶ οὐ περιποιήσῃ ἐξ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐξολοθρεύσεις αὐτόν· καὶ ἀναθεματιεῖς αὐτὸν καὶ πάντα τὰ αὐτοῦ, καὶ οὐ φείσῃ ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἀποκτενεῖς ἀπὸ ἀνδρὸς καὶ ἕως γυναικὸς, καὶ ἀπὸ νηπίου ἕως θηλάζοντος, καὶ ἀπὸ μόσχου ἕως προβάτου, καὶ ἀπὸ καμήλου ἕως ὄνου.

KJVNow 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.

JPSNow 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.’ .

ThomsonThereupon Saul assembled the people, and reviewed them at Galgal, four hundred thousand men of array, particularly of Juda thirty thousand men of array.

BrentonAnd Saul summoned the people, and he numbered them in Galgala, four hundred thousand regular troops, and Juda thirty thousand regular troops.

GreekΚαὶ παρήγγειλε Σαοὺλ τῷ λαῷ, καὶ ἐπισκέπτεται αὐτοὺς ἐν Γαλγάλοις τετρακοσίας χιλιάδας ταγμάτων, καὶ τὸν Ἰούδαν τριάκοντα χιλιάδας ταγμάτων.

KJVAnd Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah.

JPSAnd Saul summoned the people, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah.

ThomsonAnd when Saul came to the cities of Amelek, he laid an ambush in the valley.

BrentonAnd Saul came to the cities of Amalec, and laid wait in the valley.

GreekΚαὶ ἦλθε Σαοὺλ ἕως τῶν πόλεων ʼΑμαλὴκ, καὶ ἐνήδρευσεν ἐν τῷ χειμάῤῥῳ.

KJVAnd Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley.

JPSAnd Saul came to the city of Amalek, and lay in wait in the valley.

ThomsonAnd Saul said to the Kinites, Away, remove from among the Amelekites. I must not join you with them, for you dealt kindly with the Israelites when they were coming up out of Egypt. And when the Kinites had removed from among the Amelekites,

BrentonAnd Saul said to the Kinite, Go, and depart out of the midst of the Amalekites, lest I put thee with them; for thou dealedst mercifully with the children of Israel when they went up out of Egypt. So the Kinite departed from the midst of Amalec.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαοὺλ πρὸς τὸν Κιναῖον, ἄπελθε καὶ ἔκκλινον ἐκ μέσου τοῦ ʼΑμαληκίτου, μὴ προσθῶ σε μετʼ αὐτοῦ, καὶ σὺ ἐποίησας ἔλεος μετὰ τῶν υἱῶν Ἰσραὴλ, ἐν τῷ ἀναβαίνειν αὐτοὺς ἐξ Αἰγύπτου· καὶ ἐξέκλινεν ὁ Κιναῖος ἐκ μέσου ʼΑμαλήκ.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd Saul said unto the Kenites: ‘Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them; for ye showed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt.’ So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.

ThomsonSaul smote Amelek from Evilat to Sur in front of Egypt;

BrentonAnd Saul smote Amalec from Evilat to Sur fronting Egypt.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπάταξε Σαοὺλ τὸν Ἀμαλὴκ ἀπὸ Εὐειλὰτ ἕως Σοὺρ ἐπὶ προσώπου Αἰγύπτου.

KJVAnd Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt.

JPSAnd Saul smote the Amalekites, from Havilah as thou goest to Shur, that is in front of Egypt.

Thomsonand took Agag the king of Amelek alive. When he had slain all the people and Jerim with the edge of the sword,

BrentonAnd he took Agag the king of Amalec alive, and he slew all the people and Hierim with the edge of the sword.

GreekΚαὶ συνέλαβε τὸν ʼΑγὰγ βασιλέα ʼΑμαλὴκ ζῶντα, καὶ πάντα τὸν λαὸν καὶ Ἱερὶμ ἀπέκτεινεν ἐν στόματι ῥομφαίας.

KJVAnd he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.

JPSAnd he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.

ThomsonSaul and all the people saved Agag alive, and spared the best of the flocks, and the herds, and provisions, and vineyards, and all that was good; and would not destroy them, but destroyed only what was of no estimation or of little value.

BrentonAnd Saul and all the people saved Agag alive, and the best of the flocks, and of the herds, and of the fruits, of the vineyards, and of all the good things; and they would not destroy them: but every worthless and refuse thing they destroyed.

GreekΚαὶ περιεποιήσατο Σαοὺλ καὶ πᾶς ὁ λαὸς τὸν ʼΑγὰγ ζῶντα, καὶ τὰ ἀγαθὰ τῶν ποιμνίων, καὶ τῶν βουκολίων, καὶ τῶν ἐδεσμάτων καὶ τῶν ἀμπελώνων, καὶ πάντων τῶν ἀγαθῶν, καὶ οὐκ ἐβούλοντο ἐξολοθρεῦσαι αὐτά· καὶ πᾶν ἔργον ἠτιμωμένον καὶ ἐξουδενωμένον ἐξωλόθρευσαν.

KJVBut 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.

JPSBut Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, even the young of the second birth, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them; but every thing that was of no account and feeble, that they destroyed utterly.

ThomsonWherefore a word of the Lord came to Samuel saying,

BrentonAnd the word of the Lord came to Samuel, saying,

GreekΚαὶ ἐγενήθη ῥῆμα Κυρίου πρὸς Σαμουὴλ, λέγων,

KJVThen came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying,

JPSThen came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying:

ThomsonHave I had comfort for making Saul king? For he hath turned away from following Me, and hath not observed My orders. Thereupon Samuel was grieved, and cried to the Lord that whole night.

BrentonI have repented that I have made Saul to be king: for he has turned back from following me, and has not kept my word. And Samuel was grieved, and cried to the Lord all night.

Greekπαρακέκλημαι ὅτι ἐβασίλευσα τὸν Σαοὺλ εἰς βασιλέα, ὅτι ἀπέστρεψεν ἀπὸ ὄπισθέ μου, καὶ τοὺς λόγους μου οὐκ ἐτήρησε· καὶ ἠθύμησε Σαμουὴλ, καὶ ἐβόησε πρὸς Κύριον ὅλην τὴν νύκτα.

KJVIt 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.

JPS’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.

ThomsonAnd Samuel arose early, and went to meet Israel in the morning. Now it had been told Saul, that Samuel had gone to Karmel and erected a hand for himself. But he turned his chariot, and went down to Galgal to Saul, and behold he was offering up as a whole burnt offering to the Lord the prime of the spoils which he had brought out of Amelek.

BrentonAnd Samuel rose early and went to meet Israel in the morning, and it was told Saul, saying, Samuel has come to Carmel, and he has raised up help for himself: and he turned his chariot, and came down to Galgala to Saul; and, behold, he was offering up a whole-burnt-offering to the Lord, the chief of the spoils which he brought out of Amalec.

GreekΚαὶ ὤρθρισε Σαμουὴλ, καὶ ἐπορεύθη εἰς ἀπάντησιν Ἰσραὴλ το πρωΐ· καὶ ἀπηγγέλη τῷ Σαοὺλ, λέγοντες ἥκει Σαμουὴλ εἰς Κάρμηλον, καὶ ἀνέστακεν αὐτῷ χεῖρα· καὶ ἐπέστρεψε τὸ ἅρμα, καὶ κατέβη εἰς Γάλγαλα πρὸς Σαούλ, καὶ ἰδοὺ αὐτὸς ἀνέφερεν ὁλοκαύτωσιν τῷ Κυρίῳ, τὰ πρῶτα τῶν σκύλων ἤνεγκεν ἐξ ʼΑμαλήκ.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning; and it was told Samuel, saying: ‘Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he is setting him up a monument, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal.’

ThomsonAnd when Samuel came to Saul, Saul said to him, Blessed art thou of the Lord. I have performed all that the Lord hath spoken.

BrentonAnd Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said to him, Blessed art thou of the Lord: I have performed all that the Lord said.

GreekΚαὶ παρεγένετο Σαμουὴλ πρὸς Σαούλ· καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Σαοὺλ, εὐλογητὸς σὺ τῷ Κυρίῳ· ἔστησα πάντα ὅσα ἐλάλησε Κύριος.

KJVAnd Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD.

JPSAnd Samuel came to Saul; and Saul said unto him: ‘Blessed be thou of the LORD; I have performed the commandment of the LORD.’

ThomsonWhereupon Samuel said, But what bleating of flocks is this in my ears? and what is this lowing of cattle which I hear?

BrentonAnd Samuel said, What then is the bleating of this flock in my ears, and the sound of the oxen which I hear?

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαμουὴλ, καὶ τίς ἡ φωνὴ τοῦ ποιμνίου τούτου ἐν τοῖς ὠσί μου, καὶ φωνὴ τῶν βοῶν ἣν ἐγὼ ἀκούω;

KJVAnd Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?

JPSAnd Samuel said: ‘What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?’

ThomsonAnd Saul said, I have brought out of Amelek such as the people spared, the best of the flocks, and the herds, that they may be sacrificed to the Lord thy God; but the rest I have utterly destroyed.

BrentonAnd Saul said, I have brought them out of Amalec, that which the people preserved, even the best of the sheep, and of the cattle, that it might be sacrificed to the Lord thy God, and the rest have I utterly destroyed.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαούλ, ἐξ ʼΑμαλὴκ ἤνεγκα αὐτά, ἃ περιεποιήσατο ὁ λαός, τὰ κράτιστα τοῦ ποιμνίου, καὶ τῶν βοῶν, ὅπως τυθῇ Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ σου, καὶ τὰ λοιπὰ ἐξωλόθρευσα.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd 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.’

ThomsonAnd Samuel said, Permit me to tell thee what the Lord said to me last night. And he said to him, Speak.

BrentonAnd Samuel said to Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the Lord has said to me this night: and he said to him, Say on.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαμουὴλ πρὸς Σαοὺλ, ἄνες, καὶ ἀπαγγελῶ σοι ἃ ἐλάλησε Κύριος πρὸς μὲ τὴν νύκτα· καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ, λάλησον.

KJVThen 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.

JPSThen 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.’

ThomsonThen Samuel said to Saul, Wast thou not in his sight a little leader of a family of a tribe of Israel? yet the Lord anointed thee to be king over Israel;

BrentonAnd Samuel said to Saul, Art thou not little in his eyes, though a leader of one of the tribes of Israel? and yet the Lord anointed thee to be king over Israel.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαμουὴλ πρὸς Σαούλ, οὐχὶ μικρὸς εἶ σὺ ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ, ἡγούμενος σκήπτρου φυλῆς Ἰσραήλ; καὶ ἔχρισέ σε Κύριος εἰς βασιλέα ἐπὶ Ἰσραήλ.

KJVAnd 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?

JPSAnd Samuel said: ‘Though thou be little in thine own sight, art thou not head of the tribes of Israel? And the LORD anointed thee king over Israel;

Thomsonand the Lord sent thee on a journey, and said to thee, Go and destroy utterly. Thou shalt slay those who have sinned against Me; namely Amelek; and thou shalt fight against them until thou hast totally destroyed them.

BrentonAnd the Lord sent thee on a journey, and said to thee, Go, and utterly destroy: thou shalt slay the sinners against me, even the Amalekites; and thou shalt war against them until thou have consumed them.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπέστειλέ σε Κύριος ἐν ὁδῷ, καὶ εἶπέ σοι, πορεύθητι, καὶ ἐξολόθρευσον· ἀνελεῖς τοὺς ἁμαρτάνοντας εἰς ἐμέ, τὸν Ἀμαλὴκ, καὶ πολεμήσεις αὐτοὺς ἕως συντελέσῃς αὐτούς.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSand 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.

ThomsonWhy then didst thou not hearken to the voice of the Lord, but rush upon the spoil, and do evil in the sight of the Lord?

BrentonAnd why didst not thou hearken to the voice of the Lord, but didst haste to fasten upon the spoils, and didst that which was evil in the sight of the Lord?

GreekΚαὶ ἱνατί οὐκ ἤκουσας φωνῆς Κυρίου, ἀλλʼ ὥρμησας τοῦ θέσθαι ἐπὶ τὰ σκῦλα, καὶ ἐποίησας τὸ πονηρὸν ἐνώπιον Κυρίου;

KJVWherefore 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?

JPSWherefore then didst thou not hearken to the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst that which was evil in the sight of the LORD?’

ThomsonAnd Saul said to Samuel, Because I hearkened to the voice of the people. But I have gone the way which the Lord sent me, and have brought Agag king of Amelek, and utterly destroyed Amelek,

BrentonAnd Saul said to Samuel, Because I listened to the voice of the people: yet I went the way by which the Lord sent me, and I brought Agag the king of Amalec, and I destroyed Amalec.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαοὺλ πρὸς Σαμουὴλ, διὰ τὸ ἀκοῦσαί με τῆς φωνῆς τοῦ λαοῦ, καὶ ἐπορεύθην τῇ ὁδῷ ᾗ ἀπέστειλέ με Κύριος, καὶ ἤγαγον τὸν ʼΑγὰγ βασιλέα ʼΑμαλὴκ, καὶ τὸν ʼΑμαλὴκ ἐξωλόθρευσα.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd Saul said unto Samuel: ‘Yea, I have hearkened to 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.

Thomsonand the people have taken of the spoils, flocks and herds, as first fruits of the destruction, to sacrifice them before the Lord our God, at Galgal.

BrentonBut the people took of the spoils the best flocks and herds out of that which was destroyed, to sacrifice before the Lord our God in Galgal.

GreekΚαὶ ἔλαβεν ὁ λαὸς τῶν σκύλων ποίμνια καὶ βουκόλια τὰ πρῶτα τοῦ ἐξολοθρεύματος, θύσαι ἐνώπιον Κυρίου Θεοῦ ἡμῶν ἐν Γαλγάλοις.

KJVBut 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.

JPSBut the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the devoted things, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.’

ThomsonAnd Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in whole burnt offerings, and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold obedience is better than good sacrifice; and to hearken, is better than the fat of rams.

BrentonAnd Samuel said, Does the Lord take pleasure in whole-burnt-offerings and sacrifices, as in hearing the words of the Lord? behold, obedience is better than a good sacrifice, and hearkening than the fat of rams.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαμουήλ, εἰ θελητὸν τῷ Κυρίῳ ὁλοκαυτώματα καὶ θυσίας, ὡς τὸ ἀκοῦσαι φωνῆς Κυρίου; ἰδοὺ ἀκοὴ ὑπὲρ θυσίαν ἀγαθὴν, καὶ ἡ ἐπακρόασις ὑπὲρ στέαρ κριῶν.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd Samuel said: ‘Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, As in hearkening to the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to hearken than the fat of rams.

ThomsonBecause divination is a sin, the consulting Theraphin bringeth sorrow and distress: because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, therefore the Lord hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.

BrentonFor sin is as divination; idols bring on pain and grief. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, the Lord also shall reject thee from being king over Israel.

GreekὍτι ἁμαρτία οἰώνισμά ἐστιν, ὀδύνην καὶ πόνονς θεραφὶν ἐπάγουσιν· ὅτι ἐξουδένωσας τὸ ῥῆμα Κυρίου, καὶ ἐξουδενώσει σε Κύριος μὴ εἶναι βασιλέα ἐπὶ Ἰσραήλ.

KJVFor 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.

JPSFor rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, He hath also rejected thee from being king.’

ThomsonThen Saul said to Samuel, I have sinned; for I have transgressed the word of the Lord, and thy orders, because I feared the people and hearkened to their voice.

BrentonAnd Saul said to Samuel, I have sinned, in that I have transgressed the word of the Lord and thy direction; for I feared the people, and I hearkened to their voice.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαοὺλ πρὸς Σαμουὴλ, ἡμάρτηκα, ὅτι παρέβην τὸν λόγον Κυρίου καὶ τὸ ῥῆμά σου, ὅτι ἐφοβήθην τὸν λαὸν, καὶ ἤκουσα τῆς φωνῆς αὐτῶν.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd 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 hearkened to their voice.

ThomsonNow therefore bear away my sin, I beseech thee, and return with me that I may worship the Lord thy God.

BrentonAnd now remove, I pray thee, my sin, and turn back with me, and I will worship the Lord thy God.

GreekΚαὶ νῦν ἆρον δὴ τὸ ἁμάρτημά μου, καὶ ἀνάστρεψον μετʼ ἐμοῦ, καὶ προσκυνήσω Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ σου.

KJVNow therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD.

JPSNow therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and return with me, that I may worship the LORD.’

ThomsonAnd Samuel said to Saul, I cannot return with thee. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, therefore the Lord will reject thee from being king over Israel.

BrentonAnd Samuel said to Saul, I will not turn back with thee, for thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord will reject thee from being king over Israel.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαμουὴλ πρὸς Σαοὺλ, οὐκ ἀναστρέφω μετὰ σοῦ; ὅτι ἐξουδένωσας τὸ ῥῆμα Κυρίου, καὶ ἐξουδενώσει σε Κύριος τοῦ μὴ εἶναι βασιλέα ἐπὶ τὸν Ἰσραήλ.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd 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.’

ThomsonAnd when Samuel turned his face to go away, Saul took hold of the skirt of his mantle, and rent it.

BrentonAnd Samuel turned his face to depart, and Saul caught hold of the skirt of his garment, and tore it.

GreekΚαὶ ἐπέστρεψε Σαμουὴλ τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ τοῦ ἀπελθεῖν, καὶ ἐκράτησε Σαοὺλ τοῦ πτερυγίου τῆς διπλοΐδος αὐτοῦ, καὶ διέῤῥηξεν αὐτό.

KJVAnd as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent.

JPSAnd as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his robe, and it rent.

ThomsonThereupon Samuel said to him, The Lord hath rent thy regal government from Israel, this day, out of thy hand, and will give it to a neighbour of thine, who is better than thou,

BrentonAnd Samuel said to him, The Lord has rent thy kingdom from Israel out of thy hand this day, and will give it to thy neighbour who is better than thou.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε πρὸς αὐτὸν Σαμουὴλ, διέῤῥηξε Κύριος τὴν βασιλείαν σου ἀπὸ Ἰσραὴλ ἐκ χείρος σου σήμερον, καὶ δώσει αὐτὴν τῷ πλησίον σου τῷ ἀγαθῷ ὑπὲρ σέ·

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd 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.

Thomsonand Israel shall be rent in twain. He will not change, nor alter his mind, for he is not a man, that he should change his mind.

BrentonAnd Israel shall be divided to two: and God will not turn nor repent, for he is not as a man to repent.

GreekΚαὶ διαιρεθήσεται Ἰσραὴλ εἰς δύο, καὶ οὐκ ἀποστρέψει οὐδὲ μετανοήσει, ὅτι οὐχ ὡς ἄνθρωπός ἐστι τοῦ μετανοῆσαι αὐτός.

KJVAnd also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.

JPSAnd also the Glory of Israel will not lie nor repent; for He is not a man, that He should repent.’

ThomsonThen Saul said, I have sinned; but honour me, I beseech thee, in the presence of the elders of Israel, and before my people, and return up with me, that I may worship the Lord thy God.

BrentonAnd Saul said, I have sinned; yet honour me, I pray thee, before the elders of Israel, and before my people; and turn back with me, and I will worship the Lord thy God.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαοὺλ, ἡμάρτηκα, ἀλλὰ δόξασόν με δὴ ἐνώπιον πρεσβυτέρων Ἰσραὴλ καὶ ἐνώπιον λαοῦ μου, καὶ ἀνάστρεψον μετʼ ἐμοῦ, καὶ προσκυνήσω Κυρίῳ τῷ Θεῷ σου.

KJVThen 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.

JPSThen he said: ‘I have sinned; yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and return with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God.’

ThomsonSo Samuel returned up after Saul, and when he had worshipped the Lord,

BrentonSo Samuel turned back after Saul, and he worshipped the Lord.

GreekΚαὶ ἀνέστρεψε Σαμουὴλ ὀπίσω Σαοὺλ, καὶ προσεκύνησε τῷ Κυρίῳ.

KJVSo Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the LORD.

JPSSo Samuel returned after Saul; and Saul worshipped the LORD.

ThomsonSamuel said, Bring before me Agag the king of Amelek. And when Agag came before him, trembling, Agag said, Ah! how bitter is death!

BrentonAnd Samuel said, Bring me Agag the king of Amalec: and Agag came to him trembling; and Agag said, Is death thus bitter?

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαμουὴλ, προσαγάγετέ μοι τὸν ʼΑγὰγ βασιλέα ʼΑμαλήκ· καὶ προσῆλθε πρὸς αὐτὸν ʼΑγὰγ τρέμων· καὶ εἶπεν ʼΑγὰγ, εἰ οὕτω πικρὸς ὁ θάνατος.

KJVThen 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.

JPSThen said Samuel: ‘Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites.’ And Agag came unto him in chains. And Agag said: ‘Surely the bitterness of death is at hand.’

ThomsonWhereupon Samuel said to Agag, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be made childless among women. So Samuel slew Agag before the Lord at Galgal.

BrentonAnd Samuel said to Agag, As thy sword has bereaved women of their children, so shall thy mother be made childless among women: and Samuel slew Agag before the Lord in Galgal.

GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαμουὴλ πρὸς ʼΑγὰγ, καθότι ἠτέκνωσε γυναῖκας ἡ ῥομφαία σου, οὕτως ἀτεκνωθήσεται ἐκ γυναικῶν ἡ μήτηρ σου· καὶ ἔσφαξε Σαμουὴλ τὸν ʼΑγὰγ ἐνώπιον Κυρίου ἐν Γαλγάλ.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd 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.

ThomsonThen Samuel went to Armathaim, and Saul went up to his house to Gabaa,

BrentonAnd Samuel departed to Armathaim, and Saul went up to his house at Gabaa.

GreekΚαὶ ἀπῆλθε Σαμουὴλ εἰς ʼΑρμαθαίμ· καὶ Σαοὺλ ἀνέβη εἰς τὸν οἶκον αὐτοῦ εἰς Γαβαά.

KJVThen Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul.

JPSThen Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeath-shaul.

Thomsonand Samuel came no more to see Saul to the day of his death.

BrentonAnd Samuel did not see Saul again till the day of his death, for Samuel mourned after Saul, and the Lord repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.

GreekΚαὶ οὐ προσέθετο ἔτι Σαμουὴλ ἰδεῖν τὸν Σαοὺλ ἕως ἡμέρας θανάτου αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ἐπένθει Σαμουὴλ ἐπὶ Σαοὺλ, καὶ Κύριος μετεμελήθη ὅτι ἐβασίλευσε τὸν Σαοὺλ ἐπὶ Ἰσραήλ.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd Samuel never beheld Saul again until the day of his death; for Samuel mourned for Saul; and the LORD repented that He had made Saul king over Israel.