1 Samuel 15:23

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"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."

Berean Standard Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
First Samuel 15:23 delivers a profound and unsparing divine judgment against King Saul, articulated through the prophet Samuel. This pivotal verse declares that Saul's rebellion against God's direct command is as grievous as witchcraft, and his stubborn disobedience akin to iniquity and idolatry. It culminates in the stark pronouncement that because Saul rejected the word of the LORD, God, in turn, rejected him from continuing as king, marking a decisive turning point in Israel's monarchy and underscoring the absolute necessity of wholehearted obedience to divine authority.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climactic pronouncement in a dramatic confrontation between the prophet Samuel and King Saul. The preceding narrative in [1 Samuel 15](/1_samuel/15 "1 Samuel 15 - Saul's Disobedience and Rejection") details God's explicit command, delivered through Samuel, for Saul to utterly destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions as an act of divine judgment. Saul, however, partially obeys, sparing King Agag and the best of the livestock, ostensibly for sacrifice to the LORD. When confronted, Saul offers excuses and justifications, leading to Samuel's famous declaration in [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is 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." Verse 23 then follows immediately, providing the theological rationale for Saul's rejection and equating his disobedience with grave spiritual offenses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The command to destroy the Amalekites (known as *herem* or "devotion to destruction") was rooted in their ancient and persistent hostility towards Israel, dating back to their attack on the Israelites during the Exodus ([Exodus 17:8-16](/exodus/17-8 "Exodus 17:8-16 - Amalek Attacks Israel")). God had sworn to blot out their memory ([Deuteronomy 25:17-19](/deuteronomy/25-17 "Deuteronomy 25:17-19 - Remember Amalek")). Saul's failure to execute this *herem* fully was not merely a military misstep but a direct act of defiance against a divinely ordained judgment. In ancient Israel, kingship was understood as a delegated authority under God's ultimate sovereignty. The king was expected to be God's obedient servant, upholding the covenant. Practices like witchcraft and idolatry were strictly forbidden ([Deuteronomy 18:10-12](/deuteronomy/18-10 "Deuteronomy 18:10-12 - Abominable Practices")), as they represented a turning away from the one true God and seeking power or guidance from illicit sources, or placing human will above divine command.
* **Key Themes:** This pivotal verse powerfully articulates several foundational themes. Foremost is the **absolute necessity of complete obedience to God's revealed will**, emphasizing that partial obedience is, in God's eyes, tantamount to outright disobedience. It underscores the **gravity of rebellion and stubbornness**, elevating these attitudes to the level of grave sins like witchcraft and idolatry, which fundamentally deny God's authority and sovereignty. The narrative illustrates the **conditional nature of divine favor and leadership**, demonstrating that even a divinely appointed king can be rejected if he persistently disobeys. Furthermore, it highlights God's **unwavering standard of righteousness and justice**, revealing that He holds His chosen leaders to account for their faithfulness. This episode also foreshadows God's search for a new king, "a man after His own heart," as seen in [1 Samuel 16:1](/1_samuel/16-1 "1 Samuel 16:1 - Samuel Anoints David"), who would embody the obedience Saul lacked.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rebellion (Hebrew, _meri'_):** This term signifies an act of open defiance, insubordination, or revolt against a legitimate authority. In this context, it is not merely a mistake but a conscious, willful rejection of God's explicit command. The comparison to "witchcraft" (קֶסֶם, *qesem*) is striking, as *qesem* refers to divination, sorcery, or occult practices, which were anathema to Israelite faith because they sought power or knowledge outside of God, or attempted to manipulate divine will. By equating rebellion with witchcraft, Samuel asserts that Saul's disobedience is a profound spiritual perversion, a usurpation of God's authority, and an attempt to operate independently of divine control, much like seeking forbidden knowledge.
* **Stubbornness (Hebrew, _patsar'_):** This word denotes obstinacy, a refusal to yield, or an unbending resistance to persuasion or command. It speaks to a hardened heart that prioritizes its own will, reasoning, or desires over God's clear directives. The comparison to "iniquity" (אָוֶן, *aven*, often meaning trouble, sorrow, or wickedness) and "idolatry" (תְּרָפִים, *teraphim*) further intensifies the condemnation. *Teraphim* were household idols or images, sometimes used for divination, representing a departure from exclusive worship of Yahweh. Samuel's analogy implies that Saul's stubborn self-will is a form of idolatry, effectively setting up his own will as an idol in place of God's.
* **Rejected (Hebrew, _ma'as'_):** This verb means to despise, scorn, reject, or cast off. It is used twice in the verse, creating a powerful parallelism: "Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king." This highlights the reciprocal nature of divine judgment. Saul's rejection of God's word—His authority, His wisdom, His specific command—is met with God's corresponding rejection of Saul's kingship. This is not arbitrary but a just consequence of Saul's profound spiritual failure.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For rebellion [is] as the sin of witchcraft,"**: Samuel delivers the core indictment, drawing a shocking parallel. Saul's act of rebellion, his willful defiance against God's command to utterly destroy the Amalekites, is not merely disobedience but is spiritually equivalent to engaging in witchcraft. This comparison underscores the gravity of rejecting God's authority, implying that such an act is a form of spiritual rebellion that seeks to operate outside or against God's divine order, much like forbidden occult practices.
* **"and stubbornness [is] as iniquity and idolatry."**: The second part of the comparison further clarifies the nature of Saul's sin. His obstinacy, his refusal to fully submit and repent, is likened to both general wickedness ("iniquity") and, more specifically, "idolatry." This means that Saul's unwavering self-will and insistence on his own way effectively elevated his desires above God's, making his own will an idol. This reveals that sin is not just about actions but about the heart's posture and allegiance.
* **"Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD,"**: This clause states the direct cause of God's subsequent action. Saul's specific offense was his disregard and contempt for God's explicit command concerning the Amalekites. It wasn't an oversight or a minor slip, but a deliberate act of choosing his own judgment and preferences over the clear, authoritative word of God. This highlights the supreme importance of God's word as the ultimate standard for human conduct and leadership.
* **"he hath also rejected thee from [being] king."**: This is the severe and irreversible consequence of Saul's rejection. God's response is a direct, reciprocal action. Because Saul rejected God's word and authority, God, in turn, rejected Saul's kingship. This signifies the end of God's favor and the termination of Saul's dynasty, emphasizing that divine appointment and blessing are conditional upon faithfulness and obedience to God's covenant.

#### Literary Devices
First Samuel 15:23 is rich in powerful literary devices that amplify its message. The most prominent is **Simile**, where Samuel directly compares "rebellion" to "the sin of witchcraft" and "stubbornness" to "iniquity and idolatry." These comparisons are not merely illustrative but equate the spiritual gravity of Saul's actions with practices strictly forbidden and abhorrent in Israelite law, revealing the profound depth of his offense. The verse also employs striking **Parallelism**, particularly in the reciprocal "rejected... rejected" clause ("Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king"). This **Chiasm** (A-B-B'-A') structure—Saul's rejection of God's word leads to God's rejection of Saul's kingship—underscores the direct cause-and-effect relationship and the divine justice at play. Furthermore, the entire declaration functions as a **Prophetic Oracle**, delivered by Samuel as God's mouthpiece, carrying divine authority and irreversible judgment. The use of strong, evocative language ("witchcraft," "idolatry") serves as **Hyperbole** to emphasize the extreme nature of Saul's disobedience in God's eyes, leaving no ambiguity about the severity of his sin.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse serves as a foundational text for understanding the nature of obedience and the seriousness of rebellion against God. It transcends a mere historical account, revealing timeless theological truths about God's character and His relationship with humanity. God values wholehearted obedience above all ritualistic performance or human-devised justifications. Saul's failure demonstrates that partial obedience, driven by self-will or a desire for human approval, is fundamentally disobedience in God's eyes, as it stems from a heart that has not fully surrendered to divine authority. The equation of rebellion with witchcraft and stubbornness with idolatry reveals God's deep abhorrence for any act or attitude that usurps His rightful place as sovereign Lord, whether by seeking power from illicit sources or by elevating one's own will above His. This passage underscores the principle that divine favor and blessing are not unconditional but are intrinsically linked to faithfulness and submission to God's word, with severe consequences for persistent defiance.

* [Deuteronomy 13:4](/deuteronomy/13-4 "Deuteronomy 13:4 - Follow the LORD Your God")
* [Psalm 51:16-17](/psalm/51-16 "Psalm 51:16-17 - God Desires a Broken Spirit")
* [Jeremiah 7:23](/jeremiah/7-23 "Jeremiah 7:23 - Obey My Voice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
First Samuel 15:23 stands as a timeless and sobering reminder that God desires not just outward compliance, but a heart of complete submission and obedience. In our own lives, it challenges us to examine where we might be engaging in "partial obedience," rationalizing our choices, or allowing our stubborn will to override God's clear commands. We often fall into the trap of believing that our good intentions or religious activities can compensate for areas of deliberate disobedience. This verse unequivocally declares that God sees through our excuses and values a humble, obedient spirit above all else. It calls us to recognize that rebellion against God's word, in any form, is a profound spiritual offense that places our will on the throne, effectively making it an idol. True faith is demonstrated not merely by belief, but by a consistent, joyful, and wholehearted surrender to the Lordship of Christ, trusting that His ways are always best, even when they challenge our comfort or understanding.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be practicing "partial obedience," and what justifications do I use for it?**
* **How does my own stubbornness or self-will manifest, and how might it be a form of idolatry in my life?**
* **What specific commands or principles from God's Word am I currently struggling to obey fully, and what steps can I take towards complete surrender?**
* **How does understanding the gravity of Saul's sin deepen my appreciation for God's grace and mercy in my own journey of faith?**

### FAQ
**Why is rebellion equated with witchcraft and stubbornness with idolatry?**

Answer: Samuel's strong analogy in [1 Samuel 15:23](/1_samuel/15-23 "1 Samuel 15:23 - Rebellion and Stubbornness") reveals God's perspective on the heart attitude behind disobedience. Witchcraft (divination) and idolatry were strictly forbidden in Israel because they involved seeking power, guidance, or allegiance from sources other than the one true God, or placing something (an image, a human will, a false god) in God's rightful place. When Saul rebelled against God's direct command, he was effectively saying, "My will is superior to God's will," or "I know better than God." This act of self-exaltation and defiance is spiritually akin to witchcraft (attempting to manipulate outcomes or gain knowledge apart from God's revealed will) and idolatry (setting one's own will or desires up as a god). It's not that Saul literally performed witchcraft or bowed to idols in this instance, but that the *spirit* of his rebellion and stubbornness was functionally the same as these abhorrent practices—a profound rejection of God's sovereignty and authority.

**Does God still "reject" people today for disobedience, similar to Saul?**

Answer: While God's covenant relationship with believers in Christ differs from His unique covenant with Israel and its kings, the principle of consequences for persistent disobedience remains. For believers, God does not "reject" them from salvation, as salvation is by grace through faith in Christ ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")). However, persistent rebellion and stubbornness can lead to a loss of divine blessing, a hindered relationship with God, a loss of spiritual fruitfulness, and even divine discipline ([Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - The Lord Disciplines Those He Loves")). Just as Saul lost his position and dynasty, believers who refuse to obey God's word may lose opportunities for service, experience a diminished sense of God's presence, or face natural consequences for their choices. The New Testament consistently calls believers to obedience as evidence of their love for God ([John 14:15](/john/14-15 "John 14:15 - If You Love Me, Keep My Commandments")) and warns against the dangers of a hardened heart ([Hebrews 3:7-19](/hebrews/3-7 "Hebrews 3:7-19 - Do Not Harden Your Hearts")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic account of Saul's rejection in [1 Samuel 15:23](/1_samuel/15-23 "1 Samuel 15:23 - Rebellion and Stubbornness") serves as a profound backdrop for understanding the perfect obedience and ultimate kingship of Jesus Christ. Saul's failure was rooted in his self-will, his partial obedience, and his desire for human approval, leading to God's rejection of his reign. In stark contrast, Jesus perfectly embodied the obedience that Saul lacked. The Son of God willingly submitted Himself to the Father's will, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philip/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility and Obedience")). He did not come to do His own will, but the will of Him who sent Him ([John 6:38](/john/6-38 "John 6:38 - Jesus Does the Father's Will")). Where Saul's rebellion was likened to witchcraft and idolatry, Jesus's perfect obedience reversed the curse of human sin and rebellion, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Through His perfect life and atoning death, Christ fulfilled the divine standard of obedience, becoming the true King, not rejected by God, but exalted to the highest place ([Ephesians 1:20-22](/ephesians/1-20 "Ephesians 1:20-22 - Christ Exalted")). His obedience, unlike Saul's disobedience, brings righteousness to all who believe ([Romans 5:19](/romans/5-19 "Romans 5:19 - Obedience of Christ")). Thus, Saul's rejection underscores the necessity of a perfect King, a role perfectly and eternally filled by Jesus, whose reign is founded on absolute faithfulness to God.

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

Jeremiah 28:16

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

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

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

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

Jeremiah 29:32

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

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

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