The Church Fathers on this verse

1 Kingdoms (1 Samuel) 15:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Now therefore go, and smite Amalec, and utterly destroy all that he hath: spare him not, nor covet anything that is his: but slay both man and woman, child and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.

Douay-Rheims

עַתָּה֩ לֵ֨ךְ וְהִכִּֽיתָ֜ה אֶת־עֲמָלֵ֗ק וְהַֽחֲרַמְתֶּם֙ אֶת־כָּל־אֲשֶׁר־ל֔וֹ וְלֹ֥א תַחְמֹ֖ל עָלָ֑יו וְהֵמַתָּ֞ה מֵאִ֣ישׁ עַד־אִשָּׁ֗ה מֵֽעֹלֵל֙ וְעַד־יוֹנֵ֔ק מִשּׁ֣וֹר וְעַד־שֶׂ֔ה מִגָּמָ֖ל וְעַד־חֲמֽוֹר׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

Apostolic Constitutions

4th centuryChurch Father

Those who disregard these teachings and allow the unrepentant to escape punishment, much like Saul with Agag (1 Sam. 15:9) and Eli with his sons who did not recognize the Lord (1 Sam. 2:25-34), tarnish both their own integrity and the Church of God in their midst. Consequently, they stand unjust before both God and the righteous, as they become a stumbling block to many who are newly enlightened, those lacking understanding, as well as to young men and women. Misery is destined for them, and they will bear the weight of a heavy millstone (Matthew 18:6-7), facing the depths for their transgressions.

Read more (48 words)

Due to their reckless behavior, being regarded as a leader among them, they will falter in their faith and, ensnared by the same affliction, will inevitably meet their doom, just as those did with Jeroboam (3 Kings 12:12-15) and the followers of Korah alongside their leader (Num. 16:32-35).

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.