In brief
Agag is the king of Amalek in Saul's time. The Lord commands Saul to strike Amalek and to devote everything to destruction, because of what Amalek did to Israel when they came out of Egypt. Saul wins the victory, but he spares Agag and the best of the livestock. This disobedience leads God to reject Saul as king. Samuel then has Agag brought out and puts him to death at Gilgal.
What does the name Agag mean?
The meaning of the name Agag is uncertain and the Bible does not explain it. Since Balaam's oracle already mentioned an Agag long before Saul (Numbers 24:7), some think it was a name or title borne by the kings of Amalek.
The story of Agag
The Lord's command
1 Samuel 15:1-3Samuel conveys to Saul a word from the Lord of Armies. God remembers what Amalek did to Israel, blocking their way when they came out of Egypt. Saul is to strike Amalek and devote to destruction everything that belongs to them, sparing nothing.
Agag spared
1 Samuel 15:7-9Saul defeats Amalek from Havilah to Shur. He takes Agag, king of Amalek, alive. Saul and the people spare Agag along with the best of the sheep, the best of the cattle and everything of value, and destroy only what is despised and worthless.
Partial obedience
1 Samuel 15:13-21Saul tells Samuel that he has performed the Lord's word. But the bleating of the sheep and the lowing of the cattle contradict him. Saul insists that he brought back Agag and that the people kept the best of the livestock to sacrifice. He presents as obedience what is really disobedience.
To obey is better than sacrifice
1 Samuel 15:22-29Samuel answers that the Lord prefers obedience to sacrifice. Because Saul has rejected the word of the Lord, God rejects him as king. Saul admits that he feared the people and obeyed their voice. Samuel announces that the kingdom will be given to another, better than he.
The death of Agag
1 Samuel 15:32-33Samuel has Agag brought out, and he comes cheerfully, thinking that the bitterness of death is past. Samuel tells him that as his sword has made women childless, his mother will be childless among women. Then he hews Agag in pieces before the Lord at Gilgal.
What Agag teaches us
- Partial obedience is still disobedience in God's eyes.
- Good religious intentions, such as offering sacrifices, do not replace obedience to the Word.
- Fear of people leads to disobeying God, like Saul, who obeyed the voice of the people.
- God does not forget the evil done against the weakest, and his judgments are just.
Key verses
“Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.” Saul wanted to offer the spoil of Amalek, but God expected obedience first.
Saul admits the real reason for his failure: he feared the people and obeyed their voice. Sparing Agag and the spoil was the fruit of fear of people rather than fear of God.
Samuel recalls Agag's violence, whose sword made women childless. His death is presented as the just repayment for his deeds, carried out before the Lord.
Amalek had attacked Israel from behind, striking those who lagged at the rear, with no fear of God. This background explains the command given to Saul against Agag and his people.
Bible verses to meditate on
Sermons about Agag
- 1 Samuel 15: The Most Precious Offering in God's EyesThe message recalls that Saul, against God's command, keeps the best of the livestock and brings back King Agag alive: it is in this context that Samuel declares that obedience is better than sacrifice.
- Fear of Man or Trust in the Lord (Proverbs 29:25)Saul spares King Agag and the best of the livestock, and his own mouth admits why: he feared the people and obeyed their voice. An example of the snare of the fear of people.
- James 1: When Your Own Heart Deceives YouThe preacher sees a trap of the heart in Saul's attitude, who claims to have done everything while he brought back Agag alive: a detail to him, a disobedience to Samuel.
- Proverbs 29:25: The Fear of Man Is a SnareThe message cites 1 Samuel 15: Saul obeys only in part, spares King Agag and the best of the livestock, then admits that he feared the people.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Saul spare Agag?
The Bible does not detail all his motives, but Saul himself admits that he feared the people and obeyed their voice (1 Samuel 15:24). He also claims that the best of the livestock was kept for sacrifices. Samuel considers this partial obedience a rejection of the word of the Lord.
What does the name Agag mean?
The meaning of the name Agag is not known with certainty. Since Balaam's oracle already mentioned an Agag (Numbers 24:7), some see a name or title borne by the kings of Amalek. The book of Esther also presents Haman as an Agagite, a term often linked to this name (Esther 3:1).
Where can I find Agag's story in the Bible?
Agag's story is found in 1 Samuel 15. He is taken prisoner in verses 8 and 9, Saul mentions him in verse 20, and Samuel puts him to death in verses 32 and 33. The background of the conflict with Amalek can be read in Exodus 17:8-16 and in Deuteronomy 25:17-19.