Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 15:33
And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.
33. As thy sword, &c.] By the law of retaliation Agag’s life was forfeit. Cp. Jdg 1:7.
hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord ] A solemn execution of the Divine sentence which Saul had neglected. The word rendered “hewed in pieces” is a different one from that used in 1Sa 11:7, and occurs nowhere else. It may perhaps mean no more than “executed” (Sept. ). The E. V. follows the Vulg.: “in frusta concidit.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Hewed in pieces – Only found in this passage. Samuel thus executed the cherem 1Sa 15:3 which Saul had violated, and so both saved the nation from the guilt of a broken oath, and gave a final example to Saul, but apparently in vain, of uncompromising obedience to the commandments of God. There is something awful in the majesty of the prophet rising above and eclipsing that of the king (compare 1Ki 21:20; Jer 38:14 ff; Dan 2:46; Dan 4:27).
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
1Sa 15:33
And Samuel hewed Agag to pieces before the Lord in Gilgal.
The vindictive justice of God
God, who viewed Agag as an enemy to Himself and to His people, would not release him from the punishment he deserved; but inspired Samuel to give him a just recompense of reward. This striking instance of the Divine conduct teaches us that God is more disposed to punish His enemies than sinners are to punish theirs.
I. I am to show that sinners are disposed to punish their enemies. This will appear both from their character and conduct.
1. It appears from their character, as drawn by the Searcher of hearts. God perfectly knows their real feelings, and has clearly described them in His word. And according to His infallible description, they are entirely selfish. They possess not the least spark of holy love, but are under the entire dominion of selfishness. Though their selfishness disposes them to love those who love them, yet it no less disposes them to hate those who hate them, whether they are friendly or unfriendly to God. Esau hated Jacob because Jacob had injured his interest. Sinners, who are under the reigning power of selfishness, are not only hateful, but they hats one another.
2. It more clearly appears from their conduct than from their character, that they are disposed to punish their enemies. They have been in all ages imbruing their hands in each others blood. Nations have destroyed nations, and filled the earth with violence. I proceed, therefore, to the principal point proposed, which is, to show.
II. That God is more disposed to punish His enemies than sinners are to punish theirs. God knows that sinners are His enemies, and hate His existence, His perfections, His designs, and His whole government. He knows that they hate Him without a cause, as He has always treated them perfectly right. He knows that they are enemies to one another, and be all intelligent creatures. He viewed Agag as an enemy to all righteousness; and He views all sinners in the same light. It may be inquired, why God was more disposed to punish Agag than Saul was? and why in all cases, he is more disposed to punish His enemies, than sinners are to punish their enemies? To this I answer–
1. It is because He hates the conduct, of His enemies simply considered, but sinners do not hate the conduct of their enemies simply considered. Though their enemies may act sinfully, it is not their sinfulness that, they hate. It is only because their sinfulness is pointed against them, and does them hurt, that they hurt it.
2. God is more disposed to punish His enemies than sinners are to punish theirs, because His hatred to His enemies cannot be turned into love. The hatred of sinners can be turned into love, because they do not hate the character, but only the conduct of their enemies, which they view as detrimental to themselves.
3. Gods hatred of His enemies is perfectly just, but sinners hatred of their enemies is always unjust. They never hate them for what they ought to be hated, but only for the injury which they receive from them. They do not hate them for selfishness, which is the only thing for which they ought to be hated; and therefore their very hatred is selfish and wicked, for which they really deserve to be punished.
4. There is another reason why God is more disposed to punish His enemies, than sinners are to punish theirs; and that is, His regard to the good of the universe, which sinners totally disregard in punishing their enemies. They are disposed to punish their enemies for their own sake, and not for the good of others.
They are disposed to punish, merely to gratify their own feelings, whether it tends to help or hurt any other person or being besides themselves.
1. If sinners are less disposed to punish their sinful enemies than God is to punish His enemies, then their tender mercies are unholy and criminal.
2. If God is more disposed to punish His enemies than sinners ere to punish theirs, then none can truly love God without loving His vindictive justice. This is an essential tribute of His nature; and He can no more divest Himself of it than He can divest Himself of any other essential attribute than He possesses. He has as plainly revealed His vindictive justice in His word, and as strikingly displayed it in His providence, as anyone of His glorious perfections.
3. If God be more disposed to punish His enemies than sinners are to, punish theirs, then His present conduct in punishing sinners is a strong evidence that He will punish the finally impenitent.
4. If God is more disposed to punish His enemies than sinners are to punish theirs, then all real saints are willing that God should punish His enemies as much and as long as they deserve to be punished. Samuel was willing to punish Agag, end hew him in pieces before the Lord, and at His command. Every good man has that within him which approves and loves the justice of God in punishing sin. Every good man is holy, as God is holy, and loves what God loves, and hates what, God hates.
5. If God is more disposed to punish His enemies than sinners are to punish theirs, then sinners must have a new heart, in order to enter into and enjoy the kingdom of heaven.
6. If God is more disposed to punish His enemies than sinners are to punish theirs, then sinners have no ground to depend upon the patience of God. Sinners are extremely apt to depend upon the patience of God, supposing that He does and will wait upon them, because He pities them, and is unwilling to punish them. Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. (N. Emmons, D. D.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 33. As thy sword hath made women childless] It appears that Agag had forfeited his life by his own personal transgressions, and that his death now was the retribution of his cruelties.
And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces]
1. What Samuel did here he did in his magisterial capacity; and,
2. It is not likely he did it by his own sword, but by that of an executioner. What kings, magistrates, and generals do, in an official way, by their subjects, servants, or soldiers, they are said to do themselves; qui facit per alterum, facit per se.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Thy sword hath made women childless; whereby it appears that he was a cruel tyrant, and guilty of really bloody actions, and that towards Gods people, though it be not related elsewhere. And this seems to be added for the fuller vindication of Gods justice, and to show, that although God did at this time remember and revenge a crime committed by this mans ancestors four hundred years ago, yet he did not punish an innocent son for his fathers crimes, but one that allowed and persisted in the same evil courses.
Samuel hewed Agag in pieces by Divine instinct, and in pursuance of Gods express and particular command, above, 1Sa 15:3, which being sinfully neglected by Saul, is now executed by Samuel. See the like example 1Ki 18:40. But these are no precedents for private persons to take the sword of justice into their hands; for we must live by thee laws of God, and not by extraordinary examples.
Before the Lord; either before the ark, which, it seems, Saul carried with him in this, as he did in his former expedition, 1Sa 14:18; or before Gods altar; or in the public assembly.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
33. Samuel hewed AgagThiscruel tyrant met the retribution of a righteous Providence. Never hasit been unusual for great or official personages in the East toperform executions with their own hands. Samuel did it “beforethe Lord” in Gilgal, appointing that same mode of punishment(hitherto unknown in Israel) to be used towards him, which he hadformerly used towards others.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And Samuel said, as thy sword hath made women childless,…. Or, “bereaved s” them, not of their children only, but of their husbands also, and so made them both childless and widows; by which it appears that he was a cruel prince, and justly died for his own barbarity and wickedness, as well as for the sins of his ancestors four hundred years ago:
so shall thy mother be childless among women; which was according to the law of retaliation, and what the Jews call measure for measure:
and Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord in Gilgal; either before the ark of the Lord, the symbol of the divine Presence; or before the altar, where Saul and the people had been sacrificing; this he did either himself, though an old man, or by others to whom he gave the orders; and which he did not as being the chief magistrate, and by virtue of his office, but acting as on a special occasion, at the command of God, and to show his zeal for him, and indignation at such a breach of his command. In what manner this was done, is not easy to say; he was not torn to pieces by the hand, without an instrument, as Baebius by the Romans t; or sawn asunder, as some by Caligula u; and as Isaiah the prophet is said to be by Manasseh, king of Judah, to which it is thought the apostle alludes, Heb 11:37. According to Ben Gersom, the word signifies he cleaved him, as wood is cleaved; or divided him into four parts, as Jarchi; perhaps he slew him with the sword, and then quartered him; that is, ordered it to be done.
s “orbavit”, Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, &c. t Flori Hist. l. 3. c. 21. u Sueton. in Vita ejus, c. 27.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
But Samuel pronounced the sentence of death upon him: “ As thy sword hath made women childless, so be thy mother childless before women! ” is to be understood as a comparative: more childless than (other) women, i.e., the most childless of women, namely, because her son was the king. From these words of Samuel, it is very evident that Agag had carried on his wars with great cruelty, and had therefore forfeited his life according to the lex talionis. Samuel then hewed him in pieces “ before the Lord at Gilgal,” i.e., before the altar of Jehovah there; for the slaying of Agag being the execution of the ban, was an act performed for the glory of God.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(33) Samuel hewed Agag in pieces.It has been suggested, with some probability, that these words refer to a peculiar form of putting to death, like the quartering in vogue during the Middle Ages.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
33. As thy sword hath made women childless These words indicate that Agag had been given to cruelties, and that both he and his people had kept up the old practice of destroying the weak and feeble that might fall in their way. Deu 25:19. His punishment was retributive, like that of Adoni-bezek. Jdg 1:7.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Sa 15:33 And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.
Ver. 33. As thy sword hath made women childless. ] Thine and thy predecessors’, in whose footsteps thou hast trodden; being Mali corvi, malum ovum, a neither good egg, nor good bird.
And Samuel hewed Agag.
a A. Lap.
b Parei Med. Hist. Prof.
As = according as.
hewed: i.e. commanded him to be hewed or cut asunder after death. Verb occurs only here.
Agag. See note on Amalek (Exo 17:16, and Compare 1Sa 15:3).
As thy sword: Gen 9:6, Exo 17:11, Num 14:45, Jdg 1:7, Mat 7:2, Jam 2:13, Rev 16:6, Rev 18:6
Samuel: It has been a matter of wonder to many, how Samuel could thus slay a captive prince, even in the presence of Saul, who from motives of clemency had spared him; but it should be remarked, that what Samuel did here, he did in his magisterial capacity; and that Agag had been a cruel tyrant, and therefore was cut off for his merciless cruelties. Farther, it is not likely that he did it by his own sword, but by that of the executioner. What kings, magistrates, and generals do, in an official way, by their subjects, servants, or soldiers, they are said to do themselves – qui facit per alterum, facit per se.
hewed: Num 25:7, Num 25:8, 1Ki 18:40, Isa 34:6, Jer 48:10
Reciprocal: Gen 19:36 – General Gen 31:46 – an heap Exo 21:24 – General Lev 27:28 – no devoted Num 24:7 – Agag Jos 4:19 – Gilgal Jos 10:26 – Joshua Jdg 3:21 – thrust it Jdg 8:20 – General Jdg 9:24 – That the 1Sa 10:8 – to Gilgal 2Sa 21:9 – before the Lord 1Ki 2:25 – he fell Est 3:1 – Agagite Jer 50:15 – as she Dan 2:5 – ye shall Joe 3:7 – and will
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge