Translations
F.O.G.MPrimary
F.O.G MessageThen Samuel said, "Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites." Agag came to him haltingly, and said, "Surely the worst is over — the bitterness of death has passed!"
F.O.GSecondary
The F.O.GThen Shemu'el said, "Bring Agag king of Amalek to me." And Agag came to him with faltering steps, and Agag said, "Surely the bitterness of death has passed."
KJV
King James VersionThen said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.
BSB
Berean Standard BibleThen Samuel said, “Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites.” Agag came to him cheerfully, for he thought, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.”
Footnotes
The term describing Agag's approach — *ma'adannot* (מַעֲדַנֹּת) — is one of the most debated words in the chapter. It may mean 'with faltering/mincing steps' (suggesting fear or chains) or 'comfortably/in luxury' (suggesting false confidence). FOG renders 'with faltering steps,' reading a man bracing for death; FOG Message uses 'haltingly' to preserve the ambiguity. Agag's statement — 'the bitterness of death has passed' — is grimly ironic: he believes himself spared in the very moment Samuel prepares to execute him. The word *sar* (סָר — 'has turned aside/passed') ironically echoes the root used of Saul 'turning aside' from YHWH's command — both men fatally misjudge their moment.