1 Samuel 15:26

KJV

And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Samuel {H8050} said {H559} unto Saul {H7586}, I will not return {H7725} with thee: for thou hast rejected {H3988} the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068}, and the LORD {H3068} hath rejected {H3988} thee from being king {H4428} over Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But Sh'mu'el said to Sha'ul, "I will not go back with you, because you have rejected the word of ADONAI, and ADONAI has rejected you as king over Isra'el."

Berean Standard Bible

“I will not return with you,” Samuel replied. “For you have rejected the word of the LORD, and He has rejected you as king over Israel.”

American Standard Version

And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee; for thou hast rejected the word of Jehovah, and Jehovah hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 15:26 marks a definitive and somber turning point in the early monarchy of Israel, as the prophet Samuel delivers God's irrevocable verdict to King Saul. This verse encapsulates the severe consequences of Saul's partial obedience and outright rebellion against the explicit divine command to utterly destroy the Amalekites. Samuel's declaration underscores the principle of divine reciprocity: because Saul rejected the word of the LORD, God, in turn, rejected Saul from his kingship over Israel, sealing his fate and setting the stage for a new era of leadership.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal verse concludes a dramatic confrontation between Samuel and Saul, following Saul's mission against the Amalekites. The narrative begins with God's clear command to Saul to "utterly destroy all that they have" and "spare them not" [1 Samuel 15:3](/1_samuel/15-3 "1 Samuel 15:3 - God's Command to Saul Regarding Amalek"). However, Saul, under the guise of offering sacrifices, spared King Agag and the best of the livestock [1 Samuel 15:9](/1_samuel/15-9 "1 Samuel 15:9 - Saul's Disobedience and Partial Obedience"). Samuel's arrival is prompted by God's lament over Saul's disobedience [1 Samuel 15:10-11](/1_samuel/15-10 "1 Samuel 15:10-11 - God's Regret Over Saul's Kingship"). The preceding verses [1 Samuel 15:13-25](/1_samuel/15-13 "1 Samuel 15:13-25 - Samuel Confronts Saul") detail Saul's attempts to justify his actions, first by claiming obedience, then by blaming the people, and finally by admitting his sin but seeking public honor. Samuel's famous rebuke, "To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams" [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience Over Sacrifice"), directly precedes this verse, establishing the theological framework for God's rejection. Verse 26 serves as the climactic pronouncement of judgment, confirming the end of Saul's dynasty and personal reign.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Saul was Israel's first king, chosen by God through Samuel to lead the nation against its enemies and consolidate its identity amidst surrounding hostile kingdoms. The Amalekites were a perennial enemy of Israel, notorious for attacking the Israelites from the rear during their exodus from Egypt [Exodus 17:8-16](/exodus/17-8 "Exodus 17:8-16 - Amalek Attacks Israel at Rephidim"). God had explicitly commanded their utter destruction, a concept known as *herem* (devotion to destruction), which was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern warfare, often involving the complete destruction of enemy populations and their possessions as an offering to one's deity. Saul's failure to execute the *herem* fully, particularly his sparing of King Agag and the choicest animals, was not merely a tactical error but a direct act of rebellion against God's explicit command and a violation of the sacred *herem*. In a culture where kingship was often seen as divine appointment, a king's primary duty was to faithfully execute the will of his patron deity. Saul's actions, driven by a desire for plunder or popular approval rather than strict obedience, demonstrated a fundamental unfitness for the divine office.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several core themes central to the book of 1 Samuel and the broader Old Testament narrative. Foremost is the theme of **obedience versus sacrifice**, where God unequivocally prioritizes complete submission to His word over ritualistic performance or human-devised religious acts. Saul's downfall highlights the critical importance of **divine authority and human accountability**; even a divinely appointed king is ultimately subservient to the LORD's will. The concept of **divine sovereignty** is also prominent, as God demonstrates His ultimate power to establish and remove kings according to His righteous judgment. Furthermore, the verse underscores the **irreversibility of certain divine judgments** once pronounced, particularly when they stem from persistent rebellion. This rejection of Saul sets the stage for the search for "a man after his own heart" [1 Samuel 13:14](/1_samuel/13-14 "1 Samuel 13:14 - Samuel's Prophecy of a New King"), foreshadowing the anointing of David in [1 Samuel 16](/1_samuel/16 "1 Samuel 16 - The Anointing of David").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rejected (Hebrew, _ma'as'_):** The Hebrew verb מָאַס (_ma'as_) is crucial to understanding this verse, appearing twice. It means "to reject," "to despise," "to abhor," "to refuse," or "to treat with contempt." Its repetition creates a powerful parallelism: Saul's act of despising or treating lightly God's explicit command directly results in God's reciprocal act of despising or rejecting Saul from his kingship. This is not merely a withdrawal of favor but an active repudiation based on Saul's own actions. The term implies a strong, decisive, and often final act of dismissal, indicating that Saul's unfitness for the throne was rooted in his character and his disregard for divine authority.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee:"** This opening clause signifies Samuel's definitive break with Saul. Saul had just pleaded with Samuel to "return with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God" [1 Samuel 15:25](/1_samuel/15-25 "1 Samuel 15:25 - Saul's Plea to Samuel"). Samuel's refusal is not merely a personal decision but a prophetic act, symbolizing the irreversible nature of God's judgment. It marks the end of Samuel's active support and endorsement of Saul's reign, underscoring the finality of the divine decree.
* **"for thou hast rejected the word of the LORD,"** This is the divine charge against Saul. His sin was not merely partial obedience or a minor transgression, but a fundamental "rejection" (מָאַס, _ma'as_) of God's explicit command, the "word of the LORD." This refers specifically to the command to utterly destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions [1 Samuel 15:3](/1_samuel/15-3 "1 Samuel 15:3 - God's Command to Saul Regarding Amalek"). Saul's actions demonstrated a contempt for God's authority and a preference for his own will or the approval of the people over divine instruction. This rejection of God's word is presented as the direct cause of the subsequent divine judgment.
* **"and the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel."** This is the direct consequence and the core of the divine judgment. Because Saul rejected God's word, God, in turn, "rejected" (מָאַס, _ma'as_) him from his position as king. This is not a temporary setback but a permanent removal from the divinely appointed office. While Saul continued to reign for some time, this declaration marks the spiritual and dynastic end of his kingship, signifying that God's favor and anointing had departed from him. It highlights God's sovereignty over human rulers and His commitment to righteous governance.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. Most notably, **Repetition** of the verb "rejected" (מָאַס, _ma'as_) creates a striking **Parallelism**, emphasizing the direct cause-and-effect relationship between Saul's action and God's response. "Thou hast rejected... and the LORD hath rejected thee." This structural mirroring underscores the principle of **Divine Retribution** or **Poetic Justice**, where the punishment fits the crime in a strikingly analogous manner. Saul's contempt for God's word is met with God's contempt for his kingship. The entire statement functions as a **Prophetic Declaration**, a solemn and authoritative pronouncement of divine judgment delivered by Samuel, acting as God's mouthpiece. The brevity and directness of the language contribute to its dramatic impact, signaling an irreversible turning point in Israel's history.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 15:26 serves as a foundational text for understanding the nature of divine authority, human accountability, and the absolute necessity of obedience in the covenant relationship. It teaches that God's commands are not suggestions but expressions of His holy will, and that partial obedience or disobedience, especially from those in leadership, carries severe consequences. The verse underscores that true worship and service to God are demonstrated not primarily through ritual or outward show, but through a heart that humbly submits to and acts upon His revealed word. This principle transcends the specific historical context, speaking to the enduring truth that God values faithful obedience above all else, and that rejection of His word inevitably leads to a withdrawal of His blessing and favor.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Jeremiah 7:23](/jeremiah/7-23 "Obedience is Key to Covenant")
* [Hosea 4:6](/hosea/4-6 "Rejection Due to Lack of Knowledge")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The pronouncement in 1 Samuel 15:26 is a sobering reminder that God takes our obedience seriously, especially when we are entrusted with positions of influence or leadership. It challenges us to examine our own hearts: do we truly obey God's word fully and without reservation, or do we rationalize partial obedience, seeking to please others or ourselves rather than Him? This passage calls us to a profound humility, acknowledging that our spiritual standing and effectiveness in God's service are contingent upon our faithful adherence to His commands, not on our perceived piety or outward religious acts. It warns against the danger of spiritual pride and self-justification, urging us instead to cultivate a spirit of immediate, complete, and joyful submission to the Lord's will, recognizing that genuine faith is demonstrated through our actions.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be practicing "partial obedience" to God's commands, similar to Saul?**
* **How do I prioritize God's word over my own desires, the opinions of others, or perceived practical benefits?**
* **What does "rejecting the word of the LORD" look like in a contemporary context, and how can I guard against it?**
* **How does Saul's story encourage me to cultivate a heart of complete submission and humility before God?**

### FAQ
**Was Saul's rejection truly irreversible, given God's mercy?**

Answer: While God is indeed merciful and slow to anger, the rejection pronounced in 1 Samuel 15:26 was presented as a final and irreversible dynastic judgment concerning Saul's kingship. Samuel explicitly states, "the LORD hath rejected thee from being king over Israel," and later, "the LORD hath torn the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou" [1 Samuel 15:28](/1_samuel/15-28 "The Kingdom Torn from Saul"). The text also states, "the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent" [1 Samuel 15:29](/1_samuel/15-29 "God Does Not Change His Mind"). This does not mean God is capricious, but rather that His judgments, when based on persistent rebellion and rejection of His word, are firm and just. While Saul continued to reign for some years, his anointing and the divine legitimacy of his dynasty were irrevocably removed from this point forward, paving the way for David's anointing in [1 Samuel 16](/1_samuel/16 "The Anointing of David").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic narrative of Saul's rejection in 1 Samuel 15:26 powerfully foreshadows the perfect obedience and ultimate kingship of Jesus Christ. Saul, the first king of Israel, failed because he "rejected the word of the LORD," demonstrating a fatal flaw in his character and leadership. In stark contrast, Jesus, the true King of Israel and the Son of God, perfectly embodied obedience to the Father's will. From His incarnation, to His life of ministry, to His ultimate sacrifice on the cross, Jesus consistently declared, "I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things" [John 8:28](/john/8-28 "Jesus' Obedience to the Father"). His mission was to "do thy will, O God" [Hebrews 10:7](/hebrews/10-7 "Christ's Obedience to God's Will"). Unlike Saul, who sought to preserve his own glory and please men, Jesus "made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" [Philippians 2:7-8](/philippians/2-7 "Christ's Humility and Obedience"). Because of His perfect obedience, Jesus was not rejected but highly exalted, receiving "a name which is above every name" [Philippians 2:9](/philippians/2-9 "Christ's Exaltation"). He is the King whose kingdom "shall have no end" [Luke 1:33](/luke/1-33 "The Eternal Kingdom of Christ"), established not on human merit or partial obedience, but on His flawless submission to God's word and His ultimate sacrifice to redeem a rebellious humanity.

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

Hosea 4:6

¶ My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

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.

1 Samuel 16:1

¶ And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.

2 John 1:11

For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

Jeremiah 6:19

Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, [even] the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.

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.

1 Samuel 15:31

So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the LORD.