1st Shamu'AL (1 Samuel) — 15

YAHUAH's instructions to king Shaul

1 One day the Shamu'AL said to King Shaul, “It was 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH who told me to anoint you as king of his people, Yashar'AL. Now listen to this message from 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH! 

2 This is what 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH Tsaba'ut has declared: I have decided to settle accounts with the nation of Amalak for opposing Yashar'AL when they came from Mitzraym. 

3 Now go and completely destroy the entire Amalak nation, men, women, children, babies, cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and donkeys.”

4 So Shaul mobilized his army at Talaim. There were two hundred thousand soldiers from Yashar'AL and ten thousand men from Yahudah. 

5 Then Shaul and his army went to a town of the Amalak and lay in wait in the valley. 

6 Shaul sent this warning to the Kanites: “Move away from where the Amalak live, or you will die with them. For you showed kindness to all the people of Yashar'AL when they came up from Mitzraym.” So the Kanites packed up and left.

7 Then Shaul slaughtered the Amalak nation from Habilah all the way to Shur, east of Mitzraym. 

8 Shaul captured Agag, the Amalak king, but completely destroyed everyone else. 

9 Shaul and his men spared Agag’s life and kept the best of the sheep and goats, the cattle, the fat calves, and the lambs everything that appealed to them. They destroyed only what was worthless or of poor quality.

YAHUAH Rejects Shaul 

10 Then 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH Dabar to Shamu'AL, 

11 “I greatly regret that I ever made Shaul king, for he has not been loyal to me and has refused to obey my command.” Shamu'AL was so deeply moved when he heard this that he cried out to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH all night.

12 Early the next morning Shamu'AL went to find Shaul. Someone told him, “Shaul went to the town of Carmel to set up a monument to himself; then he went on to Gilgal.”

13 When Shamu'AL finally found him, king Shaul greeted Shamu'AL cheerfully. “May 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH barak you, “I have carried out the command of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH!”

14 “Then what is all the bleating of sheep and goats and the lowing of cattle I hear?” Shamu'AL demanded.

15 “It is true that the army spared the best of the sheep, goats, and cattle,” Shaul admitted. “But they are going to sacrifice them to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH your 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH. We have destroyed everything else.”

16 Then Shamu'AL said to Shaul, “Stop! and Listen to what 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH told me last night!” and Shaul asked; What did 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH tell you?”.

17 Shamu'AL told him, “Although you may think little of yourself, are you not the leader of the tribes of Yashar'AL? 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH has anointed you king of Yashar'AL. 

18 And 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH sent you on a mission and told you, ‘Go and completely destroy the sinners, the nation Amalak, until they are all dead.’ 

19 Why have not you obeyed 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH? Why did you rush for the plunder and do what was evil in the sight of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH?”

20 “Shaul insisted; But I did obey 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH, “I carried out the mission 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH gave me. I brought back King Agag, but I destroyed everyone else. 

21 Then my troops brought in the best of the sheep, goats, cattle, and plunder to sacrifice to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH your 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH in Gilgal.”

22 But Shamu'AL replied, What is more pleasing to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to the voice of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.

23 For Rebellion is the same sin as witchcraft, and stubbornness is the same as worshiping idols, so because you have rejected the command  𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH gave you, 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH has also rejected you as king.

Shaul Pleads for Forgiveness

24 Then king Shaul admitted to Shamu'AL, “Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the command of  𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded. 

25 But now, please forgive my sin and come back with me so that I may worship 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH.”

26 But Shamu'AL replied, “I will not go back with you! Since you have rejected the command of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH, He has rejected you as king of Yashar'AL.”

27 As Shamu'AL turned to go, Shaul tried to hold him back and tore the hem of his robe. 

28 And Shamu'AL said to him, 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH has torn the kingdom of Yashar'AL from you today and has given it to someone else, one who is better than you. 

29 And he who is the Kabad of Yashar'AL will not lie, nor will HE change HIS mind, for 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH is not a man that HE should change his mind!”

30 Then Shaul pleaded again, “I know I have sinned. But please, at least honor me before the elders of my people and before Yashar'AL by coming back with me so that I may worship 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH your 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH.” 

31 So Shamu'AL finally agreed and went back with him, and Shaul worshiped 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH.

Shamu'AL Executes King Agag

32 Then Shamu'AL said, “Bring King Agag to me.” Agag arrived full of hope, for he thought, “Surely the worst is over, and I have been spared!” 

33 But Shamu'AL said, “As your sword has killed the sons of many mothers, now your mother will be childless.” And Shamu'AL cut Agag to pieces before 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH at Gilgal.

34 Then Shamu'AL went home to Ramah, and Shaul returned to his house at Gibaah of Shaul. 

35 Shamual never went to meet with Shaul again, but he mourned constantly for him. And 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH regretted He had ever made Shaul king of Yashar'AL.