1 Samuel 15:25-35

25 Now, I beg you, forgive my sin. Come back with me so I may worship the Lord."

26 But Samuel said to Saul, "I won't go back with you. You rejected the Lord's command, and now he rejects you as king of Israel."

27 As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught 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 who is better than you.

29 The Lord is the Eternal One of Israel. He does not lie or change his mind. He is not a human being, so he does not change his mind.

30 Saul answered, "I have sinned. But please honor me in front of the older leaders of my people and in front of the Israelites. Come back with me so that I can worship the Lord your God."

31 So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the Lord.

32 Then Samuel said, "Bring me King Agag of the Amalekites." Agag came to Samuel in chains, but Agag thought, "Surely the threat of death has passed."

33 Samuel said to him, "Your sword made other mothers lose their children. Now your mother will have no children." And Samuel cut Agag to pieces before the Lord at Gilgal.

34 Then Samuel left and went to Ramah, but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah.

35 And Samuel never saw Saul again the rest of his life, but he was sad for Saul. And the Lord was very sorry he had made Saul king of Israel.

1 Samuel 15:25-35 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.