Saul’s Confession
Saul confesses that he feared the people and asks Samuel to return, but Samuel refuses and interprets the torn robe as a sign that the kingdom has been torn from Saul.
T24hen Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; I have transgressed the LORD’s commandment and your instructions, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. 25Now therefore, please forgive my sin and return with me so I can worship the LORD.” 26“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.” 27As Samuel turned to go, Saul grabbed the hem of his robe, and it tore. 28So Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbor who is better than you. 29Moreover, the Glory of Israel does not lie or change His mind, for He is not a man, that He should change His mind.”
Saul again confesses, yet asks above all to be honored before Israel, and Samuel returns with him so Saul can worship.
30“I have sinned,” Saul replied. “Please honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel. Come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD your God.” 31So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD.
Samuel has Agag brought in and carries out the judgment Saul left unfinished. Then Samuel and Saul part, never meeting again, while Samuel mourns and the LORD regrets making Saul king.
32Then Samuel said, “Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites.” 33But Samuel declared: 34Then Samuel went to Ramah, but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul. 35And to the day of his death, Samuel never again visited Saul. Samuel mourned for Saul, and the LORD regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.