"And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the Lord repented that he had made Saul king over Israel."
This verse comes at the end of a significant event in the life of King Saul, where he disobeyed God’s command and failed to completely destroy the Amalekites as instructed. It reveals the consequences of Saul’s disobedience and God’s response to it.
Context:In 1 Samuel 15, God commands Saul, through the prophet Samuel, to completely destroy the Amalekites, including all their people and possessions, as a judgment against their wickedness. However, Saul did not fully obey. He spared the Amalekite king, Agag, and also preserved the best of the livestock. This act of disobedience was severe because Saul disregarded God’s explicit instructions.
Samuel’s Withdrawal:After witnessing Saul’s disobedience, Samuel came to Saul and confronted him about his actions (1 Samuel 15:10-23). Samuel announced to Saul that because of his disobedience, the Lord had rejected him as king. As a result, Samuel did not visit Saul again until the day of his death. This withdrawal of Samuel’s presence represents a symbolic severing of the relationship between the prophet and the king, emphasising the gravity of Saul’s disobedience and its consequences.
Samuel’s Mourning:Despite Saul’s disobedience and rejection, Samuel mourned for him. Samuel was deeply grieved over Saul’s downfall and the fact that God had rejected him as king. This demonstrates Samuel’s compassionate heart and his concern for Saul’s spiritual well-being.
God’s Repentance:The verse concludes by stating that the Lord repented that He had made Saul king over Israel. The term "repented" here does not imply that God made a mistake in choosing Saul, but rather that He regretted making him king due to Saul’s disobedience. God’s change in attitude towards Saul stemmed from Saul’s failure to carry out God’s commandments and reflect His character as a king should.
This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God’s commands. Saul’s disobedience had severe consequences for his reign as king, and it highlights the significance of wholeheartedly following God’s instructions. It also reveals the compassion and grief of Samuel, who mourned for Saul despite his disobedience.
Overall, 1 Samuel 15:35 reminds us of the consequences of disobedience, the impact of our actions, and the importance of heeding God’s instructions.
