1 Samuel 15:25

25 Now please forgive my sin and come back with me so that I may worship the LORD."

1 Samuel 15:25 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 15:25

Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin
It can hardly be thought that Saul was so ignorant as to imagine that Samuel could pardon his sin, as committed against God, which none but God can do, but that he would forgive it, so far as he had offended him; or rather his meaning is, that as he was a prophet of the Lord, and had great interest in him, that he would make use of it on his behalf, and pray to God that his sin might be forgiven him, and the sentence reversed concerning his rejection from the kingdom; which perhaps is the chief thing he means by the pardon of his sin, which sometimes means no more than averting a threatened judgment, or freedom from punishment:

and turn again with me;
to Gilgal, for he was come out from thence to meet Samuel, having heard that he was coming:

that I may worship the Lord:
by offering sacrifice, either in thankfulness for the victory obtained, or to atone for his sin, and seek pardon for it, or both; this he thought would be a motive and inducement to Samuel to go along with him.

1 Samuel 15:25 In-Context

23 The sin of black magic is rebellion. Wickedness and idolatry are arrogance. Because you rejected the word of the LORD, he rejects you as king."
24 Then Saul told Samuel, "I have sinned by not following the LORD's command or your instructions. I was afraid of the people and listened to them.
25 Now please forgive my sin and come back with me so that I may worship the LORD."
26 Samuel told Saul, "I will not go back with you because you rejected what the LORD told you. So the LORD rejects you as king of Israel."
27 When Samuel turned to leave, Saul grabbed the hem of his robe, and it tore.
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