1 Samuel 15:35
And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָסַ֨ף
came no more
H3254
יָסַ֨ף
came no more
Strong's:
H3254
Word #:
2 of 22
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
לִרְא֤וֹת
to see
H7200
לִרְא֤וֹת
to see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
4 of 22
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
7 of 22
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
י֣וֹם
until the day
H3117
י֣וֹם
until the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
8 of 22
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
מוֹת֔וֹ
of his death
H4194
מוֹת֔וֹ
of his death
Strong's:
H4194
Word #:
9 of 22
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
כִּֽי
nevertheless
H3588
כִּֽי
nevertheless
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
וַֽיהוָ֣ה
and the LORD
H3068
וַֽיהוָ֣ה
and the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
15 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
נִחָ֔ם
repented
H5162
נִחָ֔ם
repented
Strong's:
H5162
Word #:
16 of 22
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
nevertheless
H3588
כִּֽי
nevertheless
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
17 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
1 Samuel 19:24And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets?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.1 Samuel 15:11It 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.Genesis 6:6And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.Philippians 3:18(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Historical Context
Samuel's mourning reflects the depth of his investment in Saul. As the prophet who anointed him and announced God's choice, Samuel bore personal grief at Saul's failure. This ongoing mourning would require divine intervention to end (16:1).
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to mourn for the living - for what someone could have been?
- How do divine grief and prophetic grief together witness to the tragedy of rejected grace?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.
The chapter concludes with profound grief: 'Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul.' The Hebrew aval ('mourned') describes grief as for the dead. Samuel mourns not Saul's death but the death of what Saul could have been. The final note - 'and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel' - returns to verse 11's theme. Divine grief bookends this chapter of rejection. God and prophet together mourn the tragedy of rejected grace.