The Church Fathers on this verse

1 Kingdoms (1 Samuel) 15:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the flocks of sheep, and of the herds, and the garments and the rams, and all that was beautiful, and would not destroy them: but every thing that was vile, and good for nothing, that they destroyed.

Douay-Rheims

וַיַּחְמֹל֩ שָׁא֨וּל וְהָעָ֜ם עַל־אֲגָ֗ג וְעַל־מֵיטַ֣ב הַצֹּאן֩ וְהַבָּקָ֨ר וְהַמִּשְׁנִ֤ים וְעַל־הַכָּרִים֙ וְעַל־כָּל־הַטּ֔וֹב וְלֹ֥א אָב֖וּ הַחֲרִימָ֑ם וְכָל־הַמְּלָאכָ֛ה נְמִבְזָ֥ה וְנָמֵ֖ס אֹתָ֥הּ הֶחֱרִֽימוּ׃

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 protect the one destined for punishment, akin to Saul with Agag (1 Sam. 15:9) and Eli concerning his sons who did not know the Lord (1 Sam. 2:25-34), have tarnished both their own honor and the Church of God in their community. Consequently, they stand unrighteous before God and the faithful, as they become a stumbling block to many who are new to the faith and to the unlearned, and even to younger individuals. Sorrow is destined for them, bearing the weight of a millstone (Matthew 18:6-7) and facing the depths for their transgressions.

Read more (46 words)

Due to their reckless behavior, as this individual leads them, they will falter internally, and, afflicted by the same malady, they will inevitably face ruin alongside others, much like the people under Jeroboam (3 Kings 12:12-15) and the followers of Korah with their leader (Num. 16:32-35).

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.