What does 1 Samuel 15:14 mean?

"And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?" - 1 Samuel 15:14

1 Samuel 15:14 - "And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?"

1 Samuel 15:14 - "And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?"

The verse 1 Samuel 15:14 from the King James Version of the Bible reads, "And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?" This verse is part of the larger narrative of the Old Testament, specifically the story of King Saul and his disobedience to God's commands.

The context of this verse is important for understanding its meaning and significance. In the previous chapter, God had commanded Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions, including their livestock. However, when Samuel arrived at the scene, he heard the sounds of sheep and oxen, indicating that Saul had disobeyed God's command and spared the best of the livestock.

This verse speaks to the theme of obedience and the consequences of disobedience. Throughout the Bible, God's commands are clear and are meant to be followed without question. In this case, Saul's disobedience had severe consequences not only for himself but for the entire nation of Israel.

The symbolism in this verse is powerful and has several layers of meaning. Firstly, the bleating of the sheep and the lowing of the oxen represent the evidence of Saul's disobedience. Their sounds serve as a reminder that God's commands should never be taken lightly or disregarded. Secondly, the presence of the livestock symbolizes Saul's reluctance to completely destroy the Amalekites, revealing a lack of commitment to carrying out God's will. Lastly, the sounds of the animals can also be seen as a metaphor for the callousness and disregard for God's authority, as Saul prioritized his own desires over God's commands.

Furthermore, this verse also underscores the role of prophets such as Samuel as messengers of God. Samuel's question to Saul challenges him to explain his actions and calls for accountability. This reflects the importance of spiritual leadership and the role of prophets in holding people accountable to God's commands.

The deeper meaning of this verse extends beyond the specific event of Saul's disobedience. It serves as a warning to all believers about the consequences of disobedience and the importance of wholehearted obedience to God's will. The verse highlights the need for humility, submission, and the recognition of God's authority over our lives.

In conclusion, 1 Samuel 15:14 is a powerful reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the significance of wholehearted obedience to God's commands. The verse serves as a cautionary tale and a call to accountability for all believers. It also emphasizes the role of spiritual leaders in guiding and holding others accountable to God's will. The symbolism of the bleating of the sheep and the lowing of the oxen serves as a poignant reminder of the need for unwavering obedience and submission to God. As such, this verse continues to be a source of spiritual reflection and guidance for Christians today.

1 Samuel 15:14 Artwork

1 Samuel 15:14 - "And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?"

1 Samuel 15:14 - "And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?"

1 Samuel 15:10 - "¶ Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying,"

1 Samuel 15:10 - "¶ Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel, saying,"

1 Samuel 7:15 - "And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life."

1 Samuel 7:15 - "And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life."

1 Samuel 14:15 - "And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling."

1 Samuel 14:15 - "And there was trembling in the host, in the field, and among all the people: the garrison, and the spoilers, they also trembled, and the earth quaked: so it was a very great trembling."

1 Samuel 15:31 - "So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the LORD."

1 Samuel 15:31 - "So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the LORD."

1 Samuel 15:34 - "¶ Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul."

1 Samuel 15:34 - "¶ Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul."

1 Samuel 3:15 - "¶ And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision."

1 Samuel 3:15 - "¶ And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision."

1 Samuel 11:14 - "Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there."

1 Samuel 11:14 - "Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there."

1 Samuel 9:15 - "¶ Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,"

1 Samuel 9:15 - "¶ Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,"

1 Samuel 17:14 - "And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul."

1 Samuel 17:14 - "And David was the youngest: and the three eldest followed Saul."

1 Samuel 15:5 - "And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley."

1 Samuel 15:5 - "And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley."

1 Samuel 15:27 - "And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent."

1 Samuel 15:27 - "And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent."

1 Samuel 14:25 - "And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground."

1 Samuel 14:25 - "And all they of the land came to a wood; and there was honey upon the ground."

1 Samuel 10:15 - "And Saul's uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you."

1 Samuel 10:15 - "And Saul's uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you."

1 Samuel 15:1 - "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 15:1 - "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 15:13 - "And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD."

1 Samuel 15:13 - "And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD."

1 Samuel 14:51 - "And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel."

1 Samuel 14:51 - "And Kish was the father of Saul; and Ner the father of Abner was the son of Abiel."

1 Samuel 15:35 - "And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel."

1 Samuel 15:35 - "And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel."

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."

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."

1 Samuel 18:14 - "And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him."

1 Samuel 18:14 - "And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him."

1 Samuel 9:14 - "And they went up into the city: and when they were come into the city, behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go up to the high place."

1 Samuel 9:14 - "And they went up into the city: and when they were come into the city, behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go up to the high place."

2 Samuel 14:1 - "Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart was toward Absalom."

2 Samuel 14:1 - "Now Joab the son of Zeruiah perceived that the king's heart was toward Absalom."

1 Samuel 15:16 - "Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on."

1 Samuel 15:16 - "Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on."

1 Samuel 15:7 - "And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt."

1 Samuel 15:7 - "And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt."

1 Samuel 17:15 - "But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Beth-lehem."

1 Samuel 17:15 - "But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Beth-lehem."

1 Samuel 19:14 - "And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick."

1 Samuel 19:14 - "And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick."

1 Samuel 14:46 - "Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place."

1 Samuel 14:46 - "Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place."

1 Samuel 15:12 - "And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal."

1 Samuel 15:12 - "And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal."

1 Samuel 15:24 - "¶ And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice."

1 Samuel 15:24 - "¶ And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice."

1 Samuel 14:35 - "And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD."

1 Samuel 14:35 - "And Saul built an altar unto the LORD: the same was the first altar that he built unto the LORD."