New International Version Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, did you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel. New Living Translation And Samuel told him, “Although you may think little of yourself, are you not the leader of the tribes of Israel? The LORD has anointed you king of Israel. English Standard Version And Samuel said, “Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel. Berean Standard Bible And Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, have you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel Berean Literal Bible And Samuel said, “Is it not that when you were small in your own eyes—the head of the tribes of Israel—then YHWH anointed you as king over Israel? King James Bible And 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? New King James Version So Samuel said, “When you were little in your own eyes, were you not head of the tribes of Israel? And did not the LORD anoint you king over Israel? New American Standard Bible So Samuel said, “Is it not true, though you were insignificant in your own eyes, that you became the head of the tribes of Israel? For the LORD anointed you as king over Israel. NASB 1995 Samuel said, “Is it not true, though you were little in your own eyes, you were made the head of the tribes of Israel? And the LORD anointed you king over Israel, NASB 1977 And Samuel said, “Is it not true, though you were little in your own eyes, you were made the head of the tribes of Israel? And the LORD anointed you king over Israel, Legacy Standard Bible And Samuel said, “Is it not true, though you were little in your own eyes, you were made the head of the tribes of Israel? And Yahweh anointed you king over Israel, Amplified Bible Samuel said, “Is it not true that even though you were small (insignificant) in your own eyes, you were made the head of the tribes of Israel? And the LORD anointed you king over Israel, Berean Annotated Bible And Samuel (his name is El) said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, have you not become the head of the tribes of Israel (he wrestles with God)? The LORD {YHWH} anointed you king over Israel Christian Standard Bible Samuel continued, “Although you once considered yourself unimportant, haven’t you become the leader of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel Holman Christian Standard Bible Samuel continued, “Although you once considered yourself unimportant, have you not become the leader of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel American Standard Version And Samuel said, Though thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel? And Jehovah anointed thee king over Israel; Contemporary English Version Samuel continued, "You may not think you're very important, but the LORD chose you to be king, and you are in charge of the tribes of Israel. English Revised Version And Samuel said, Though 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; GOD'S WORD® Translation Samuel said, "Even though you don't consider yourself great, you were the head of Israel's tribes. The LORD anointed you king of Israel. Good News Translation Samuel answered, "Even though you consider yourself of no importance, you are the leader of the tribes of Israel. The LORD anointed you king of Israel, International Standard Version So Samuel replied, "Is it not true that though you were small in your own eyes you became head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed you king over Israel? NET Bible Samuel said, "Is it not true that when you were insignificant in your own eyes, you became head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD chose you as king over Israel. New Heart English Bible Samuel said, "Though you were little in your own sight, weren't you made the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel; Webster's Bible Translation And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thy own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, have you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel World English Bible Samuel said, “Though you were little in your own sight, weren’t you made the head of the tribes of Israel? Yahweh anointed you king over Israel; Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Samuel says, “Are you not, if you [are] little in your own eyes, head of the tribes of Israel? And YHWH anoints you for king over Israel, Berean Literal Bible And Samuel said, “Is it not that when you were small in your own eyes—the head of the tribes of Israel—then YHWH anointed you as king over Israel? Young's Literal Translation And Samuel saith, 'Art not thou, if thou art little in thine own eyes, head of the tribes of Israel? and Jehovah doth anoint thee for king over Israel, Smith's Literal Translation And Samuel will say, Wert thou not little in thine eyes, thou the head of the tribes of Israel, and Jehovah will anoint thee for king over Israel? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Samuel said: When thou wast a little one in thy own eyes, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel? And the Lord anointed thee to be king over Israel. Catholic Public Domain Version And Samuel said: “Was it not when you were little in your own eyes that you were made the head of the tribes of Israel? And the Lord anointed you as king over Israel. New American Bible Samuel then said: “Though little in your own eyes, are you not chief of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king of Israel New Revised Standard Version Samuel said, “Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Samuel said to Saul, Behold, even though you were little in your own eyes; nevertheless you were made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed you king over Israel. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Shemueil said to Shaul: “Behold, surely you are a little one in your eyes. You are the Head of the tribes of Israel, and LORD JEHOVAH anointed you that you would reign over Israel OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And 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; Brenton Septuagint Translation And 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. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Samuel Denounces Saul…16“Stop!” exclaimed Samuel. “Let me tell you what the LORD said to me last night.” “Tell me,” Saul replied. 17And Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, have you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel 18and sent you on a mission, saying, ‘Go and devote to destruction the sinful Amalekites. Fight against them until you have wiped them out.’… Cross References And Samuel said, 2 Samuel 12:7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 1 Kings 21:20 When Elijah arrived, Ahab said to him, “So you have found me out, my enemy.” He replied, “I have found you out because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the LORD. “Although you were once small in your own eyes, 1 Samuel 9:21 Saul replied, “Am I not a Benjamite from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of Benjamin? So why would you say such a thing to me?” Judges 6:15 “Please, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I save Israel? Indeed, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house.” have you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? 1 Samuel 9:16 “At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you are to anoint him ruler over My people Israel; he will save them from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.” 2 Samuel 5:2 Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’” Deuteronomy 17:15 you are to appoint over yourselves the king whom the LORD your God shall choose. Appoint a king from among your brothers; you are not to set over yourselves a foreigner who is not one of your brothers. The LORD anointed you king over Israel 1 Samuel 10:1 Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance? 1 Samuel 16:13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah. 2 Samuel 5:3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where King David made with them a covenant before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel. 1 Samuel 10:22 So again they inquired of the LORD, “Has the man come here yet?” And the LORD replied, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.” 1 Samuel 13:13-14 “You have acted foolishly,” Samuel declared. “You have not kept the command that the LORD your God gave you; if you had, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. / But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler over His people, because you have not kept the command of the LORD.” 1 Samuel 16:1 Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.” 1 Samuel 18:18 And David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my father’s clan in Israel, that I should become the son-in-law of the king?” 1 Samuel 24:14 Against whom has the king of Israel come out? Whom are you pursuing? A dead dog? A flea? 2 Samuel 7:8 Now then, you are to tell My servant David that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be the ruler over My people Israel. Treasury of Scripture And Samuel said, When you were little in your own sight, were you not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed you king over Israel? When thou 1 Samuel 9:21 And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me? 1 Samuel 10:22 Therefore they inquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff. Judges 6:15 And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house. the Lord 1 Samuel 15:1-3 Samuel 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… 1 Samuel 10:1 Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance? Jump to Previous Although Anoint Anointed Becamest Eyes Head Holy Israel Little Once Samuel Seem Sight Small Thou Tribes True. Wast Weren'tJump to Next Although Anoint Anointed Becamest Eyes Head Holy Israel Little Once Samuel Seem Sight Small Thou Tribes True. Wast Weren't1 Samuel 15 1. Samuel sends Saul to destroy Amalek6. Saul favors the Kenites 7. He spares Agag and the best of the spoil 10. Samuel denounces unto Saul God's rejection of him for his disobedience 24. Saul's humiliation 32. Samuel kills Agag 34. Samuel and Saul part And Samuel said, Samuel confronted Saul after his disobedience in the campaign against Amalek. As prophet and judge, Samuel spoke with God-given authority and held Israel’s king accountable to the Lord. 2Sa 12:7 Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man!… “Although you were once small in your own eyes, Saul had begun with a sense of personal insufficiency. He came from Benjamin, Israel’s smallest tribe, and had not sought prominence. His earlier humility made his later self-will and concern for public approval especially tragic. 1Sa 9:21 Saul replied, “Am I not a Benjamite…”… have you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? God had raised Saul from obscurity to rule the united tribes. His kingship was not earned by status or personal ambition but entrusted to him as a sacred responsibility. 1Sa 9:16 At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land… The LORD anointed you king over Israel Saul’s anointing established him as God’s chosen ruler and placed him under God’s command. The same Lord who gave him authority required obedience from him. 1Sa 10:1 Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head… Persons / Places / Events 1. SamuelA prophet and judge of Israel who anointed Saul as the first king of Israel. He serves as God's spokesperson, delivering messages and judgments. 2. Saul The first king of Israel, chosen by God but later rejected due to his disobedience. His reign marks a significant transition from the period of judges to the monarchy in Israel. 3. Israel The nation chosen by God, consisting of twelve tribes. Saul was anointed as king to lead and unify these tribes. 4. The LORD The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who is sovereign over Israel and the one who anoints and deposes kings according to His will. 5. Anointing A ceremonial act signifying God's choice and empowerment of an individual for a specific role or task, in this case, Saul's kingship over Israel. Teaching Points The Danger of PrideSaul's journey from humility to pride serves as a warning. Initially small in his own eyes, he later acts presumptuously, leading to his downfall. Believers must guard against pride, remembering that all authority and success come from God. God's Sovereignty in Leadership God is the one who appoints leaders. Saul's anointing and subsequent rejection remind us that leadership is a divine appointment, and leaders are accountable to God. The Importance of Obedience Saul's failure to obey God's commands highlights the critical nature of obedience in the life of a believer. Obedience is better than sacrifice, as later emphasized by Samuel. Humility as a Virtue Saul's initial humility was a virtue that made him a suitable candidate for kingship. Christians are called to maintain humility, recognizing their dependence on God. God's Faithfulness Despite human failure, God remains faithful to His promises and purposes. He continues to work through His chosen people, even when they falter. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 15:17?2. How does 1 Samuel 15:17 illustrate the importance of humility in leadership? 3. What can we learn about God's expectations from Saul's actions in 1 Samuel 15:17? 4. How does 1 Samuel 15:17 connect with Proverbs 16:18 on pride's consequences? 5. How can we apply the lesson of humility from 1 Samuel 15:17 today? 6. Why does God remind Saul of his humble beginnings in 1 Samuel 15:17? 7. Why did God choose Saul despite knowing he would disobey in 1 Samuel 15:17? 8. How does 1 Samuel 15:17 reflect on the nature of humility and leadership? 9. What does 1 Samuel 15:17 reveal about God's expectations for obedience? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 15? (17) When thou wast little in thine own sight.--Kimchi's rendering of the Hebrew here is singular: "Though thou seemest to thyself too little and weak to curb the people, yet wast thou the head, and shouldest have done thy duty;" but this, as Lange observes, would imply that Samuel had accepted Saul's excuse that it was the people's will to reserve the choicest spoil. The prophet's words, however, were simply to remind Saul that the Lord, whose clearly expressed will he had disregarded, had raised him in bygone days from a comparatively humble station to the proud position he was then occupying as chief of Israel. The old counsellor reminds the king that there had been a time when he judged himself unequal to this great work to which his God summoned him; but now, how strange the contrast! Flushed with success, he was trusting alone in his unaided strength, and openly disobeying the Divine commands.Verse 17. - When - rather, Though - thou wast little in thine own sight. Before his elevation to the royal dignity Saul had deemed himself altogether unequal to so heavy a task (1 Samuel 9:21); now, after great military successes, he is filled with arrogance, and will rule in open defiance of the conditions upon which Jehovah had appointed him to the office Samuel’s words trace Saul’s journey from humble obscurity to divinely anointed kingship. God raised a man who once felt “small” to lead all Israel, yet that very elevation required unwavering obedience. Forgetting humble beginnings and despising the sacred anointing led Saul into disobedience and eventual rejection. The verse stands as a literal, historical reminder that God exalts the humble, entrusts them with responsibility, and expects faithful submission to His word. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew And Samuelשְׁמוּאֵ֔ל (šə·mū·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 8050: Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israel said, וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “Although אִם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not you [were once] אַתָּה֙ (’at·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you small קָטֹ֤ן (qā·ṭōn) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 6996: Small, young, unimportant in your own eyes, בְּעֵינֶ֔יךָ (bə·‘ê·ne·ḵā) Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain have you אָ֑תָּה (’āt·tāh) Pronoun - second person masculine singular Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you not הֲל֗וֹא (hă·lō·w) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no become the head רֹ֛אשׁ (rōš) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7218: The head of the tribes שִׁבְטֵ֥י (šiḇ·ṭê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 7626: Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe of Israel? יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc The LORD יְהוָ֛ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel anointed וַיִּמְשָׁחֲךָ֧ (way·yim·šā·ḥă·ḵā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular Strong's 4886: To rub with oil, to anoint, to consecrate, to paint you king לְמֶ֖לֶךְ (lə·me·leḵ) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king over עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against Israel יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc Additonal Resources 1 Samuel 15:17 Blue Letter Bible1 Samuel 15:17 Bible Gateway 1 Samuel 15:17 Bible.com 1 Samuel 15:17 NIV |
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