1 Samuel 15:11
It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.
Original Language Analysis
נִחַ֗מְתִּי
It repenteth
H5162
נִחַ֗מְתִּי
It repenteth
Strong's:
H5162
Word #:
1 of 20
properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
2 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הִמְלַ֤כְתִּי
me that I have set up
H4427
הִמְלַ֤כְתִּי
me that I have set up
Strong's:
H4427
Word #:
3 of 20
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
שָׁב֙
for he is turned back
H7725
שָׁב֙
for he is turned back
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
8 of 20
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
מֵאַֽחֲרַ֔י
from following
H310
מֵאַֽחֲרַ֔י
from following
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
9 of 20
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דְּבָרַ֖י
my commandments
H1697
דְּבָרַ֖י
my commandments
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
11 of 20
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הֵקִ֑ים
me and hath not performed
H6965
הֵקִ֑ים
me and hath not performed
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
13 of 20
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
וַיִּ֙חַר֙
And it grieved
H2734
וַיִּ֙חַר֙
And it grieved
Strong's:
H2734
Word #:
14 of 20
to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy
וַיִּזְעַ֥ק
and he cried
H2199
וַיִּזְעַ֥ק
and he cried
Strong's:
H2199
Word #:
16 of 20
to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly
יְהוָ֖ה
unto the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
18 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
1 Samuel 13:13And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever.Genesis 6:6And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.Psalms 119:136Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law.2 Samuel 24:16And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.Psalms 36:3The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good.Jeremiah 9:18And let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters.1 Samuel 15:3Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.1 Samuel 15:9But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.Hebrews 10:38Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.Psalms 125:5As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.
Historical Context
The Hebrew nacham when applied to God expresses emotional response within relational context. Numbers 23:19 and this chapter's verse 29 clarify that God does not 'repent' in the sense of regretting decisions or changing immutable purposes. Samuel's all-night prayer shows the prophet's deep investment in Saul despite coming judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How do we understand divine 'repentance' without implying God made a mistake?
- What does Samuel's all-night intercession reveal about faithful prophetic ministry?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.
God's statement 'It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king' uses the Hebrew nacham, expressing grief and sorrow rather than admission of mistake. Divine 'repentance' describes God's genuine emotional response to human failure, not change in His eternal purposes. The stated reason - 'he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments' - identifies the fundamental problem: Saul's heart has turned while his outward religious activity continues. Samuel's response - 'he cried unto the LORD all night' - reveals prophetic grief that matches divine sorrow.