1 Samuel 15:24-29

24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the LORD’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them.

25 Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD.”

26 But Samuel said to him, “I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you as king over Israel!”

27 As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore.

28 Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors—to one better than you.

29 He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind.”

1 Samuel 15:24-29 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 15

In this chapter are recorded the order Saul had from the Lord to destroy Amalek utterly, 1Sa 15:1-3 the preparation he made to put it in execution, and the success thereof, 1Sa 15:4-9 the offence the Lord took at his not obeying his order thoroughly, with which Samuel was made acquainted, and which grieved him, 1Sa 15:10,11, upon which he went out to meet Saul, and reprove him; and a long discourse upon the subject passed between them, the issue of which was, that by an irrevocable decree he was rejected from being king, 1Sa 15:12-31 and the chapter is concluded with an account of Samuel's hewing in pieces Agag king of Amalek, and of his final departure from Saul, 1Sa 15:32-35.

Cross References

• 1. S Exodus 9:27; S Numbers 22:34; Psalms 51:4; 2 Samuel 12:13
• 2. S 1 Samuel 13:13
• 3. Proverbs 29:25; Isaiah 51:12-13; Jeremiah 42:11
• 4. Exodus 10:17
• 5. S Numbers 15:31; S 1 Samuel 13:14; S 1 Kings 14:10
• 6. 1 Samuel 28:14
• 7. 1 Kings 11:11,31; 1 Kings 14:8; 2 Kings 17:21
• 8. 1 Samuel 28:17; 1 Kings 11:31
• 9. S 1 Samuel 13:14
• 10. 2 Samuel 6:21; 2 Samuel 7:15
• 11. 1 Chronicles 29:11; Titus 1:2
• 12. S Numbers 23:19; Ezekiel 24:14; Hebrews 7:21