1 Samuel 15:25

Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD.

Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon {H5375} my sin {H2403}, and turn again {H7725} with me, that I may worship {H7812} the LORD {H3068}.

Now, please, pardon my sin; and come back with me, so that I can worship ADONAI."

Now therefore, please forgive my sin and return with me so I can worship the LORD.โ€

Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship Jehovah.

Commentary

1 Samuel 15:25 finds King Saul in a moment of desperate plea to the prophet Samuel, following Samuel's pronouncement of God's rejection of Saul as king due to his disobedience.

Context

This verse immediately follows Samuel's declaration that God has rejected Saul for failing to completely obey the divine command to utterly destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions (1 Samuel 15:3). Instead, Saul spared King Agag and the best of the sheep and oxen, claiming they were for sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:9). Samuel confronts Saul, stating that "to obey is better than sacrifice" (1 Samuel 15:22). In this verse, Saul, having just admitted, "I have sinned," now asks Samuel to pardon his sin and accompany him to worship the LORD.

Key Themes

  • Superficial Confession: Saul's confession of sin here appears motivated more by a desire to avert the immediate consequences of Samuel's departure and the loss of his kingship than by genuine remorse. His plea to "pardon my sin" is quickly followed by a request for Samuel to "turn again with me," suggesting a concern for maintaining appearances and public legitimacy.
  • Fear of Man Over Fear of God: Saul's earlier confession in 1 Samuel 15:24 explicitly states, "I feared the people, and obeyed their voice." This highlights a core issue in Saul's leadership: prioritizing popular approval over divine command. His request for Samuel to join him in worship seems to be an attempt to restore his standing in the eyes of the people, rather than a heartfelt desire to genuinely reconcile with God. This contrasts sharply with the wisdom of fearing the LORD.
  • Misunderstanding True Worship: Saul's desire to worship the LORD with Samuel present suggests a misunderstanding of what true worship entails. He seems to believe that outward acts of worship, especially with a revered prophet, can compensate for a disobedient heart. However, God seeks worship "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24), which necessitates a repentant and obedient heart.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "pardon" (ืกึธืœึทื—, salach) implies a divine act of forgiveness, often used in the context of God forgiving sin. While Saul uses it here in an appeal to Samuel, it underscores the gravity of the transgression. The phrase "turn again with me" (ืฉืื•ึผื‘, shuv), often translated as "repent" when used in a spiritual sense, here refers to Samuel physically returning. Saul's plea to "worship the LORD" (ืœึฐื”ึดืฉึฐืืชึทึผื—ึฒื•ึนืช ืœึทื™ื”ื•ึธื”, lehishtachavot la-YHWH) uses the verb ืฉึธืื—ึธื” (shachah), meaning to bow down or prostrate oneself, indicating an act of reverence. The irony is that while Saul wants to perform the outward act, his heart is not truly bowed in submission to God's will.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder for believers today about the nature of true repentance and worship. It challenges us to examine our motives when we confess sin: Is it genuine sorrow for offending God, or merely regret over consequences or damage to our reputation? True repentance involves a change of heart and direction, leading to obedience, not just a desire to escape punishment or maintain appearances. Our worship must stem from a heart that values God's will above all else, recognizing that outward rituals are meaningless without inward devotion and obedience to His commands.

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

Cross-References

  • Exodus 10:17

    Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and intreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only.
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