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.
Original Language Analysis
וְעַתָּ֖ה
H6258
מַמְלַכְתְּךָ֣
But now thy kingdom
H4467
מַמְלַכְתְּךָ֣
But now thy kingdom
Strong's:
H4467
Word #:
2 of 21
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תָק֑וּם
shall not continue
H6965
תָק֑וּם
shall not continue
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
4 of 21
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
בִּקֵּשׁ֩
hath sought
H1245
בִּקֵּשׁ֩
hath sought
Strong's:
H1245
Word #:
5 of 21
to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer); by implication, to strive after
יְהוָֽה׃
and the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
and the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אִ֣ישׁ
him a man
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
him a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
8 of 21
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
כִּלְבָב֗וֹ
after his own heart
H3824
כִּלְבָב֗וֹ
after his own heart
Strong's:
H3824
Word #:
9 of 21
the heart (as the most interior organ)
יְהוָֽה׃
and the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
and the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
11 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לְנָגִיד֙
him to be captain
H5057
לְנָגִיד֙
him to be captain
Strong's:
H5057
Word #:
12 of 21
a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally (abstractly, plural), honorable themes
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עַמּ֔וֹ
over his people
H5971
עַמּ֔וֹ
over his people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
14 of 21
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
כִּ֚י
H3588
כִּ֚י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
15 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
16 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁמַ֔רְתָּ
because thou hast not kept
H8104
שָׁמַ֔רְתָּ
because thou hast not kept
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
17 of 21
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
אֵ֥ת
H853
אֵ֥ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲשֶֽׁר
H834
אֲשֶֽׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
19 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Acts 13:22And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.1 Samuel 15:28And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.Psalms 78:70He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:1 Samuel 16:1And 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 Beth-lehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.Acts 7:46Who found favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob.1 Samuel 16:12And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.2 Kings 20:5Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.1 Samuel 9:16To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.1 Samuel 2:30Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed that thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.2 Samuel 5:2Also in time past, when Saul was king over us, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD said to thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.
Historical Context
The establishment of monarchy around 1050-1010 BCE represented a dramatic political and theological shift for Israel. Unlike surrounding nations where kings were considered divine or semi-divine, Israel's kings were supposed to function under God's ultimate authority as laid out in Deuteronomy 17:14-20. The Benjamite tribe occupied strategic territory between Ephraim and Judah, making Saul's selection a politically astute choice to balance tribal rivalries. Archaeological remains from this period show increased fortification and centralization of settlements, confirming the transition to state-level organization. Levitical priests served hereditary roles mediating between God and people through sacrificial system. Corruption among priests was not uncommon in this era, as demonstrated by biblical criticism of Eli's sons and later Jeremiah's condemnations. Proper sacrificial procedure was critical for maintaining covenant relationship, making priestly misconduct particularly heinous.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage deepen our understanding of God's character, purposes, and ways of working in human history?
- What specific heart attitudes, thought patterns, or life practices does this passage call you to examine or change?
- How does the emphasis on obedience over sacrifice point toward Christ's perfect submission to the Father's will?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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.
Saul's failure demonstrates that partial obedience is disobedience, and religious activity cannot substitute for heart surrender. His pattern of excuses, blame-shifting, and selective compliance while maintaining outward religious appearance warns against external religion without internal transformation. The pronouncement that 'to obey is better than sacrifice' establishes that God desires humble submission over impressive religious performance. Saul's rejection teaches that prolonged disobedience, even mixed with apparent faithfulness, eventually results in God's withdrawal of calling and blessing.