1 Samuel 15:26

26 But Samuel replied, “I will not go back with you! Since you have rejected the LORD ’s command, he has rejected you as king of Israel.”

1 Samuel 15:26 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 15:26

And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee
Not being satisfied with his repentance and confession, he still extenuating his sin, and laying the blame of it on the people. This he said by way of resentment, and as expressing his indignation at him, though he afterwards did return with him on a change of his mind; which a good man may be allowed to make, without any imputation of falsehood or a lie unto him:

for thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord hath rejected
thee from being king over Israel;
which is repeated from ( 1 Samuel 15:23 ) for the confirmation of it, and to let Saul know that his pretended confession and repentance had made no alteration in the decree and sentence of God respecting the kingdom.

1 Samuel 15:26 In-Context

24 Then Saul admitted to Samuel, “Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the LORD ’s command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded.

25 But now, please forgive my sin and come back with me so that I may worship the LORD .”

26 But Samuel replied, “I will not go back with you! Since you have rejected the LORD ’s command, he has rejected you as king of Israel.”

27 As Samuel turned to go, Saul tried to hold him back and tore the hem of his robe.

28 And Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to someone else—one who is better than you.