1 Samuel 15:30
Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God.
Original Language Analysis
חָטָ֔אתִי
I have sinned
H2398
חָטָ֔אתִי
I have sinned
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
2 of 15
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
עַתָּ֗ה
H6258
כַּבְּדֵ֥נִי
yet honour
H3513
כַּבְּדֵ֥נִי
yet honour
Strong's:
H3513
Word #:
4 of 15
to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
נָ֛א
H4994
נָ֛א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
5 of 15
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
נֶ֥גֶד
H5048
נֶ֥גֶד
Strong's:
H5048
Word #:
6 of 15
a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before
עַמִּ֖י
of my people
H5971
עַמִּ֖י
of my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
8 of 15
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְנֶ֣גֶד
H5048
וְנֶ֣גֶד
Strong's:
H5048
Word #:
9 of 15
a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
and before Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
and before Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
10 of 15
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְשׁ֣וּב
and turn again
H7725
וְשׁ֣וּב
and turn again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
11 of 15
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
עִמִּ֔י
H5973
עִמִּ֔י
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
12 of 15
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
וְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֵ֖יתִי
with me that I may worship
H7812
וְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוֵ֖יתִי
with me that I may worship
Strong's:
H7812
Word #:
13 of 15
to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)
Cross References
John 12:43For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.John 5:44How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?Isaiah 29:13Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
Historical Context
Honor (kavod) in ancient Near Eastern culture was paramount for maintaining authority. Loss of face before elders could destabilize royal power. Saul's request reveals his priorities: maintaining political position matters more than spiritual restoration.
Questions for Reflection
- How does concern for reputation sometimes masquerade as repentance?
- What is the difference between confession aimed at restoration and confession aimed at damage control?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God.
Saul's second 'I have sinned' immediately follows request for honor: 'honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people.' This confession is more concerned with public respect than divine relationship. He wants Samuel to worship with him not for genuine reconciliation but for political appearance. The Hebrew kabed ('honour') prioritizes human reputation. Saul's confession aims at damage control, not repentance. He accepts the verdict's reality but wants to minimize its public impact.