1 Samuel 15:35
And Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, but Samuel grieved over Saul. And the LORD regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's easy to focus on God's regret, but notice Samuel's too! His deep sorrow over Saul shows that even when God has moved on from a leader, his followers can still bear the pain of that person's choices.
Saul has just been utterly rejected by God for his disobedience in sparing the Amalekite king and livestock, leading to God's decision to remove him as king. Samuel, deeply saddened, delivers this final, heartbreaking verdict to Saul. This moment marks the irreversible end of Saul's reign in God's eyes, setting the stage for David's eventual anointing and the transition of power, even as Samuel mourns the tragic downfall of the man he once admired.
It's easy to think of God as distant or unfeeling, but Scripture paints a different picture. In this verse, we see a profound sorrow.
God's Regret
The text says, "the LORD regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel." This isn't about God making a mistake He wishes He could undo. Instead, it reflects God's deep emotional pain and displeasure over Saul's persistent disobedience. God had invested so much in Saul, and Saul's choices led to a broken relationship and a painful consequence.
A Father's Grief
Think of it like a parent who grieves when their child repeatedly makes destructive choices, even though the parent still loves them. God's "regret" highlights the seriousness of rebellion and how it grieces the very heart of God. It underscores that our choices have real emotional weight with Him.
Samuel and Saul's relationship ends here, marked by grief. What does this finality teach us about the consequences of turning away from God's commands?
The End of an Era
Samuel, God's prophet and Saul's mentor, "did not see Saul again until the day of his death." This is a stark statement of broken relationship. Samuel's personal grief over Saul underscores the tragedy of Saul's fall. It wasn't just a political failure; it was a relational and spiritual one.
A Painful Separation
Saul's choices led to a definitive break. He actively defied God's clear instructions, and the consequence was the loss of God's direct counsel and the deep disappointment of His chosen prophet. This highlights that while God is merciful, persistent disobedience carries profound and lasting consequences, affecting not only our relationship with Him but also with those who walk closely with Him.
Understand the original words
abal · Hebrew Verb
A deep, profound emotional distress or sorrow, often associated with loss, sin, or the breaking of a covenant relationship.
nacham · Hebrew Verb
A term expressing God's holy sorrow or profound change of disposition regarding a past action; it does not imply a mistake in God's foreknowledge, but rather His righteous reaction to human rebellion and covenant failure.
This verse marks the sad conclusion of Saul's reign, highlighting the profound grief of both Samuel and God over his persistent disobedience and rejection of divine authority.
c. 1050 BC
Saul Anointed King
The people of Israel demand a king, and Samuel anoints Saul, a charismatic man from the tribe of Benjamin, to lead them. This marks a significant shift in Israel's governance from a system of judges to monarchy.
c. 1040 BC— this verse
Saul's Disobedience in Battle
Saul disobeys Samuel's direct instructions from God regarding the battle against the Amalekites, sparing their king and the best of the livestock. This act shows Saul's pride and his willingness to deviate from God's commands for his own perceived benefit.
c. 1040 BC
Saul Rejected as King
Because of his disobedience, God, through Samuel, informs Saul that his kingship will not continue and that a neighbor will take his place. This is a pivotal moment where God's rejection of Saul is made clear.
c. 1025 BC
David Anointed King
While Saul is still king, Samuel secretly anoints David, the youngest son of Jesse, as the future king of Israel. This sets the stage for the eventual transfer of power and David's rise.
This passage echoes the sorrow of God when He saw the wickedness of humanity, mirroring the deep grief and regret expressed in 1 Samuel 15:35.
Jeremiah 18:7-10These verses reveal God's willingness to change His plans based on a nation's actions, showing that His 'regret' is tied to human response, just as His decision concerning Saul was.
Matthew 23:37Jesus expresses a similar sorrow and longing for His people, saying, 'O Jerusalem, Jerusalem... how often I wanted to gather your children together...' This shows a divine heartache over rejection and disobedience.
Romans 9:1-3Paul's profound grief and anguish for his fellow Israelites, even wishing he himself were accursed for their sake, parallels Samuel's deep sorrow over Saul and the people of Israel.
It's easy to focus on God's regret, but notice Samuel's too! His deep sorrow over Saul shows that even when God has moved on from a leader, his followers can still bear the pain of that person's choices.
Saul has just been utterly rejected by God for his disobedience in sparing the Amalekite king and livestock, leading to God's decision to remove him as king. Samuel, deeply saddened, delivers this final, heartbreaking verdict to Saul. This moment marks the irreversible end of Saul's reign in God's eyes, setting the stage for David's eventual anointing and the transition of power, even as Samuel mourns the tragic downfall of the man he once admired.
Saul has just been utterly rejected by God for his disobedience in sparing the Amalekite king and livestock, leading to God's decision to remove him as king. Samuel, deeply saddened, delivers this final, heartbreaking verdict to Saul. This moment marks the irreversible end of Saul's reign in God's eyes, setting the stage for David's eventual anointing and the transition of power, even as Samuel mourns the tragic downfall of the man he once admired.
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c. 1015 BC
Samuel's Death
Samuel, the prophet and judge who served Israel for many years, eventually dies. His death marks the end of an era and leaves Saul without a key spiritual advisor and God's direct messenger.
"And Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, but Samuel grieved over Saul. And the LORD regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel." — It's easy to focus on God's regret, but notice Samuel's too! His deep sorrow over Saul shows that even when God has moved on from a leader, his followers can still bear the pain of that person's choi…
