1 Samuel 15:11

KJV

It repenteth me that I have set up Saul [to be] king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.

KJV (with Strong's)

It repenteth {H5162} me that I have set up {H4427} Saul {H7586} to be king {H4428}: for he is turned back {H7725} from following {H310} me, and hath not performed {H6965} my commandments {H1697}. And it grieved {H2734} Samuel {H8050}; and he cried {H2199} unto the LORD {H3068} all night {H3915}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"I regret setting up Sha'ul as king, because he has turned back from following me and hasn't obeyed my orders."This made Sh'mu'el very sad, so that he cried to ADONAI all night.

Berean Standard Bible

“I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned away from following Me and has not carried out My instructions.” And Samuel was distressed and cried out to the LORD all that night.

American Standard Version

It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king; for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And Samuel was wroth; and he cried unto Jehovah all night.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 15:11 encapsulates a moment of profound divine sorrow and human anguish, revealing God's grief over King Saul's persistent disobedience and Samuel's deep distress and all-night intercession. This pivotal verse marks the irreversible turning point in Saul's reign, as God declares His regret for having made Saul king due to his failure to fully obey divine commands, leading to Samuel's heartbroken response and fervent prayer for a nation facing the consequences of its leader's rebellion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows King Saul's catastrophic failure to execute the Lord's command concerning the Amalekites. God had explicitly instructed Saul through Samuel to utterly destroy all Amalekites and their possessions, a decree of *herem* (devotion to destruction) as divine judgment for their historical enmity against Israel ([1 Samuel 15:2-3](/1_samuel/15-2 "1 Samuel 15:2-3 - God's Command to Destroy Amalek")). However, Saul, under the guise of offering sacrifices to the Lord, spared King Agag and the best of the livestock, acting in partial obedience that God deemed outright rebellion ([1 Samuel 15:9](/1_samuel/15-9 "1 Samuel 15:9 - Saul's Partial Obedience")). The preceding verses detail Saul's military campaign and his subsequent deviation from God's clear instructions, setting the stage for God's pronouncement of rejection and Samuel's profound grief in verse 11. This moment is a critical turning point, signaling the end of Saul's legitimate reign and paving the way for the anointing of David.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The command to destroy the Amalekites stemmed from their unprovoked attack on Israel during the Exodus ([Exodus 17:8-16](/exodus/17-8 "Exodus 17:8-16 - Amalek Attacks Israel")). This was not mere tribal warfare but a divinely ordained act of judgment. The concept of *herem* was a specific form of holy war where everything was to be utterly destroyed or dedicated to God, leaving no spoils for human gain. Saul's decision to spare Agag and the livestock was not only a direct violation of this sacred command but also a display of self-will and a desire for personal glory or popular approval over divine obedience. Furthermore, the institution of kingship in Israel was relatively new. Saul, the first king, was meant to be a leader who faithfully executed God's will, not one who acted independently. His failure here underscored the precarious nature of early Israelite monarchy and the high standards God held for His anointed leaders.

* **Key Themes:** The central themes illuminated by this verse include the **seriousness of disobedience** and the **supremacy of obedience over sacrifice**. Saul's partial obedience is exposed as outright rebellion, demonstrating that God values a heart fully surrendered to His commands far more than religious rituals or outward displays of piety ([1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience Better Than Sacrifice")). Another key theme is the **nature of God's "repentance" or divine sorrow**. The anthropomorphic language used to describe God's grief ("It repenteth me") highlights His deep emotional engagement with humanity and His genuine sorrow over sin, without implying a change in His immutable character or eternal plan ([Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is Not a Man That He Should Lie")). Finally, **prophetic intercession and grief** are powerfully portrayed through Samuel's reaction. As a faithful prophet, Samuel bears the immense spiritual burden of Saul's failure and the consequences for the nation, leading him to fervent, all-night prayer, a hallmark of his ministry ([1 Samuel 12:23](/1_samuel/12-23 "1 Samuel 12:23 - Samuel's Commitment to Prayer")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Repenteth (Hebrew, נָחַם, _nacham'_):** When applied to God, this term does not signify a change of mind in the sense of regret over an error or a deviation from His eternal purpose. Instead, it conveys profound sorrow, grief, or deep regret over the *consequences* of human sin and the necessity of His judgment. It is an anthropomorphic expression that allows humanity to grasp God's emotional response to rebellion and His disappointment when His creation turns away from Him. It highlights God's personal involvement and His sorrow over the broken relationship, similar to His grief over humanity's wickedness in [Genesis 6:6](/genesis/6-6 "God Grieved by Human Wickedness").
* **Turned back (Hebrew, שׁוּב, _shuv'_):** This verb literally means "to turn, return, or turn back." In this context, it signifies a deliberate turning away from God's path, a departure from faithfulness, and an act of apostasy. It implies a conscious decision on Saul's part to deviate from God's explicit instructions and to pursue his own will or perceived advantage. This "turning back" is presented as the direct cause of God's "repentance" concerning Saul's kingship, emphasizing the gravity of his disobedience.
* **Grieved (Hebrew, עָצַב, _'atsav'_):** This word denotes deep emotional pain, sorrow, or vexation. It describes Samuel's profound distress and anguish over God's pronouncement concerning Saul. Samuel had personally anointed Saul, invested in his leadership, and desired his success as king of Israel. Therefore, the news of Saul's rejection, and the implications for the nation, caused Samuel immense personal grief, mirroring God's own sorrow. It underscores the heavy burden carried by God's prophets and faithful servants who deeply feel the spiritual condition of their people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"It repenteth me that I have set up Saul [to be] king":** This opening clause is a direct divine declaration, expressing God's profound sorrow and regret over the outcome of His choice to make Saul king. It is not an admission of error on God's part, but rather an emotional response to Saul's failure to live up to the divine mandate. It signifies that the relationship and the covenantal responsibilities associated with the kingship have been irrevocably broken by Saul's actions.
* **"for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments.":** This sub-clause provides the explicit divine justification for God's "repentance." Saul's actions are characterized as a deliberate "turning back" or apostasy from following God's clear direction. His failure to "perform my commandments" refers specifically to his disobedience regarding the Amalekites, but also implies a broader pattern of self-will and partial obedience that God deems as outright rebellion. This clarifies that God's decision is a just and necessary consequence of Saul's unfaithfulness.
* **"And it grieved Samuel;":** This clause shifts focus to Samuel's immediate emotional reaction. The prophet, who had faithfully served God and anointed Saul, is deeply distressed by God's verdict. His grief reflects his personal investment in Saul's reign, his understanding of the severe implications for Israel, and his shared sorrow with God over human sin and its consequences.
* **"and he cried unto the LORD all night.":** This concluding clause highlights Samuel's response to his grief: fervent and persistent intercession. Despite the divine decree being seemingly final, Samuel spends the entire night crying out to the Lord. This demonstrates his unwavering commitment to his prophetic role, his deep love for both God and Israel, and his belief in the power of prayer, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable spiritual crises. It underscores his role as a faithful mediator between God and His people.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the phrase "It repenteth me," where human emotions of sorrow and regret are attributed to God. This device allows the reader to grasp the depth of God's disappointment and grief over Saul's disobedience, making the divine character relatable without compromising His immutability, as later affirmed in [1 Samuel 15:29](/1_samuel/15-29 "1 Samuel 15:29 - God Does Not Change His Mind"). There is also a clear instance of **Parallelism**, as Samuel's grief ("it grieved Samuel") directly mirrors God's sorrow ("It repenteth me"). This parallel emphasizes the unity of purpose and emotion between God and His faithful prophet, highlighting the shared burden of Saul's failure. Furthermore, the entire narrative context of this verse serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, as Saul's rejection here directly anticipates the anointing of a new, more obedient king—David—who will establish an enduring dynasty, contrasting sharply with Saul's failed reign.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 15:11 powerfully articulates the profound seriousness of disobedience in the eyes of God, revealing that partial obedience is, in fact, rebellion. God's "repentance" underscores His active engagement with human history and His deep emotional response to human choices, particularly those of His chosen leaders. This divine sorrow is not a sign of weakness or a change in His eternal plan, but rather a just and sorrowful reaction to a broken covenant and a spurned relationship. Samuel's mirroring grief and all-night intercession highlight the burden of spiritual leadership and the vital role of persistent prayer, even when faced with seemingly irreversible divine judgment. The passage ultimately reinforces God's unchanging standard of righteousness and His demand for wholehearted obedience from those He calls to serve Him.

* [Genesis 6:6](/genesis/6-6 "Genesis 6:6 - God Grieved by Human Wickedness")
* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience Better Than Sacrifice")
* [1 Samuel 15:29](/1_samuel/15-29 "1 Samuel 15:29 - God Does Not Change His Mind")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound narrative of 1 Samuel 15:11 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It compels us to examine the sincerity and completeness of our own obedience to God's commands. Are we truly following Him wholeheartedly, or are we, like Saul, engaging in partial obedience, selectively adhering to what is convenient or personally beneficial while neglecting other clear directives? This verse reminds us that God is not just a distant sovereign but a deeply personal God who is grieved by our rebellion and delighted by our faithfulness. His "repentance" over Saul's kingship should evoke in us a sober awareness of the weight of our choices and the impact they have on our relationship with Him. Furthermore, Samuel's example of all-night intercession calls us to a deeper level of empathy and spiritual burden-bearing for others, particularly those in leadership or those struggling with sin. It teaches us to grieve over sin, both our own and that of others, and to earnestly cry out to the Lord, trusting in His sovereignty even when outcomes are painful or uncertain. Our actions have genuine consequences, and God's response to our obedience or disobedience is a profound and impactful reality.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's "repentance" as divine sorrow, rather than a change of mind, deepen your appreciation for His character and His relationship with humanity?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be practicing "partial obedience," and what steps can you take to cultivate a heart of wholehearted submission to God's commands?**
* **What spiritual burdens do you carry for your community, leaders, or loved ones, and how might Samuel's all-night prayer inspire your own intercessory life?**

### FAQ
**Did God truly change His mind about making Saul king?**

Answer: The Hebrew word for "repenteth" (נָחַם, _nacham_) when applied to God, as in [1 Samuel 15:11](/1_samuel/15-11 "1 Samuel 15:11 - God's Grief Over Saul"), does not imply that God made an error or changed His eternal, immutable plan. Rather, it signifies profound sorrow, grief, or regret over the *consequences* of human sin and the necessity of His judgment. God's character is unchanging, as affirmed in [1 Samuel 15:29](/1_samuel/15-29 "1 Samuel 15:29 - God Does Not Change His Mind"), which states, "the Glory of Israel will not lie or change his mind; for he is not a mortal, that he should change his mind." God's "repentance" here is an anthropomorphic expression of His deep emotional response to Saul's willful disobedience and turning away, which necessitated a change in Saul's kingly status, not a change in God's ultimate purpose for Israel.

**Why was Saul's disobedience so serious, given his claim to want to sacrifice to the LORD?**

Answer: Saul's disobedience was profoundly serious because it was a direct violation of a clear, explicit divine command concerning the *herem* (devotion to destruction) of the Amalekites. God had commanded the utter destruction of everything, leaving no spoils ([1 Samuel 15:3](/1_samuel/15-3 "1 Samuel 15:3 - God's Command to Destroy Amalek")). Saul's claim that he spared the best livestock for sacrifice ([1 Samuel 15:21](/1_samuel/15-21 "1 Samuel 15:21 - Saul's Excuse for Disobedience")) was a self-serving justification that God rejected. As Samuel famously declared in [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience Better Than Sacrifice"), "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams." Saul's actions revealed a heart of rebellion, pride, and a desire to please himself or the people rather than God. This partial obedience was viewed by God as outright rebellion, equivalent to divination and idolatry ([1 Samuel 15:23](/1_samuel/15-23 "1 Samuel 15:23 - Rebellion is as the Sin of Divination")), leading to his rejection as king.

**What does Samuel's grief and all-night prayer teach us about spiritual leadership and intercession?**

Answer: Samuel's profound grief and all-night prayer in [1 Samuel 15:11](/1_samuel/15-11 "1 Samuel 15:11 - Samuel's Grief and Prayer") offer a powerful model for spiritual leadership and intercession. First, it demonstrates the deep emotional burden that faithful leaders carry for their people and for God's will. Samuel, who had anointed Saul, felt the weight of Saul's sin and its devastating consequences for the nation. His grief mirrored God's own sorrow. Second, his all-night crying out to the Lord exemplifies persistent, fervent intercession. Even when God's judgment seemed final, Samuel continued to appeal to Him, showcasing his unwavering commitment to prayer as a primary means of engaging with divine sovereignty. This teaches us that true spiritual leadership involves not only proclaiming God's word but also empathetically bearing the burdens of others, grieving over sin, and tirelessly interceding on their behalf, trusting in God's ultimate wisdom and plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The profound sorrow of God over Saul's disobedience and Samuel's all-night intercession in [1 Samuel 15:11](/1_samuel/15-11 "1 Samuel 15:11 - God's Grief and Samuel's Prayer") find their ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Saul's failure highlights the need for a perfectly obedient King, one who would never "turn back from following" God's commandments. Jesus, the true King of Israel, perfectly fulfilled this requirement, demonstrating unwavering obedience to the Father even unto death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Unlike Saul, whose sacrifices were rejected, Jesus offered Himself as the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice, truly taking away the sin of the world ([Hebrews 9:26-28](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26-28 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")).

Furthermore, Samuel's role as an intercessor, crying out to the Lord all night, foreshadows Christ's perfect and continuous intercession. While Samuel grieved over human sin and its consequences, Jesus Himself bore the full weight of humanity's sin, experiencing profound grief in Gethsemane ([Luke 22:42-44](/luke/22-42 "Luke 22:42-44 - Jesus' Agony in Gethsemane")) and crying out on the cross ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")). He is not merely an intercessor who grieves, but the Great High Priest who ever lives to make intercession for us ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ's Eternal Priesthood and Intercession")), ensuring our access to the Father. Thus, what was broken by Saul's disobedience is perfectly restored and eternally secured by Christ's perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice, demonstrating God's ultimate plan to bring forth a King who would perfectly fulfill His will and redeem His people.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 13:13

And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.

Genesis 6:6

¶ And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

Psalms 119:136

¶ Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.

2 Samuel 24:16

And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.

1 Samuel 15:3

Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.

Jeremiah 9:18

And let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters.

Psalms 36:3

The words of his mouth [are] iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, [and] to do good.