SAMUEL 1 15 - The Voice and the Word of G-d

Many times in discourse, what is not said is as significant as what is said. The story of Saul’s failure to obey G-d and Samuel in the battle against Amalek is a prime example.

Samuel, on G-d’s command, commands Saul to eradicate Amalek, in recompense for the attack upon the Jewish people as they left Egypt. No one, neither man nor beast, is to be left behind. The words that introduce this discussion are, “Listen, to the voice of the word of G-d. (HEBREW – “Shema leKol Divrei Hashem.” *) After the battle, where Saul has kept alive the King of Amalek, Agag, and the best of the flocks, Samuel approaches him. Preemptively, Saul states, “Ï have fulfilled (note - but he doesn't say I have listened to [SHAMATI]) the word (DEVAR) of Hashem.” Unwittingly, he omits the word ‘voice’ (KOL). Samuel immediately points out (v. 14), “Then what is the voice (KOL) of the sheep bleating and oxen bellowing that I hear (SHOMEIA).”

I would suggest that Saul honestly believed that his actions were congruent with G-d's request - he managed to deal a nearly fatal blow to the Amalekites, and the remaining animals were to be offered on the altar. However, as Samuel points out succinctly (v. 22) - "Has the Lord (as much) desire in burnt offerings and peace-offerings, as in obeying the voice of the Lord?"

[When grouped together in Tanach referring to the same speaker, the words KOL and DEVAR only appear in the context of G-d’s listening or speaking (Dev. 1:34, 4:12, 5:25; Dan. 10:6,9.]