1 Samuel 15:23

For rebellion [is as] the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness [is as] iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from [being] king.

For rebellion {H4805} is as the sin {H2403} of witchcraft {H7081}, and stubbornness {H6484} is as iniquity {H205} and idolatry {H8655}. Because thou hast rejected {H3988} the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}, he hath also rejected {H3988} thee from being king {H4428}.

"For rebellion is like the sin of sorcery, stubbornness like the crime of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of ADONAI, he too has rejected you as king."

For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”

For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim. Because thou hast rejected the word of Jehovah, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

Commentary

1 Samuel 15:23 (KJV) delivers a powerful and direct rebuke from the prophet Samuel to King Saul, explaining the severe consequences of Saul’s disobedience to God’s explicit command regarding the Amalekites. This verse marks a pivotal moment in Saul’s reign, signifying God’s rejection of him as king due to his rebellion and stubbornness.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse comes after King Saul's partial obedience in his war against the Amalekites. God had commanded Saul, through Samuel, to utterly destroy them as divine judgment for their historical animosity towards Israel (see Exodus 17:14-16 and Deuteronomy 25:17-19). Instead of complete destruction, Saul spared King Agag and the best of the livestock, rationalizing his actions by claiming they were for sacrifice to the LORD. Samuel clarifies that God values obedience over ritualistic sacrifice, setting the stage for this sharp condemnation.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Gravity of Disobedience: Samuel equates rebellion and stubbornness with grave sins like witchcraft and idolatry. This highlights that willful disobedience to God's direct command is not a minor transgression but a profound affront to His authority and holiness.
  • Rejection of God's Word Leads to Rejection by God: The direct consequence of Saul’s rejection of God’s word is God’s rejection of him as king. This principle underscores the seriousness of taking God’s commands lightly and demonstrates that divine favor is conditional upon faithfulness.
  • Partial Obedience is Disobedience: Saul's actions were not outright defiance but rather a selective adherence to God's command. This verse teaches that partial obedience, driven by self-will or human reasoning, is still disobedience in God's eyes.
  • The Nature of Sin: The comparison of rebellion to witchcraft and stubbornness to idolatry reveals God's perspective on these attitudes. Both witchcraft and idolatry involve seeking power or guidance from sources other than God, or placing something (even one's own will) above Him. Rebellion and stubbornness, similarly, usurp God's rightful place of authority.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "rebellion" is meri (מֶרִי), implying an act of defiance or open resistance. "Witchcraft" is qesem (קֶסֶם), referring to divination or occult practices, which were strictly forbidden in Israel (e.g., Deuteronomy 18:10-12). The term for "stubbornness" is patsar (פָּצַר), indicating a refusal to yield or an obstinate resistance. "Idolatry" is teraphim (תְּרָפִים), which often referred to household idols or images used in divination, representing a departure from true worship.

Practical Application

1 Samuel 15:23 serves as a timeless warning about the dangers of selective obedience and self-will. For believers today, it emphasizes that:

  1. God Desires Wholehearted Obedience: Our walk with God should be characterized by complete submission to His will, not picking and choosing which commands to follow.
  2. Beware of Rationalizing Disobedience: Like Saul, we can often justify our actions, but God sees past our excuses to the true motive of our hearts.
  3. Consequences of Willful Sin: While God is merciful, persistent rebellion and stubbornness can lead to a loss of divine blessing or position, reminding us of the importance of repentance and humility.

This verse powerfully reminds us that true faith is demonstrated through obedience, recognizing God’s ultimate authority over our lives. Saul's rejection paved the way for God to seek a man after His own heart, David, highlighting the divine standard for leadership.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 28:16 (14 votes)

    Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shalt die, because thou hast taught rebellion against the LORD.

  • 1 Samuel 13:14 (10 votes)

    But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him [to be] captain over his people, because thou hast not kept [that] which the LORD commanded thee.

  • Leviticus 20:6 (8 votes)

    And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.

  • Galatians 5:20 (7 votes)

    Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

  • Jeremiah 29:32 (7 votes)

    Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed: he shall not have a man to dwell among this people; neither shall he behold the good that I will do for my people, saith the LORD; because he hath taught rebellion against the LORD.

  • Deuteronomy 18:10 (7 votes)

    There shall not be found among you [any one] that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, [or] that useth divination, [or] an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,

  • Deuteronomy 18:11 (7 votes)

    Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.