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1 Samuel 15:11

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 15:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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 Samuel was wroth; and he cried unto Jehovah all night.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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 Samuel was wroth; and he cried unto Jehovah all night.
1 Samuel 15:11 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.
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 everything that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.
10Then came the word of Jehovah unto Samuel, saying,
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 Samuel was wroth; and he cried unto Jehovah all night.
12And Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning; and it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a monument, and turned, and passed on, and went down to Gilgal.
13And Samuel came to Saul; and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of Jehovah: I have performed the commandment of Jehovah.
14And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king, etc.] Which is not to be understood of any change of mind, counsel, purpose, or decree in God, which is not consistent with his unchangeable nature; but of a change of dispensation, and outward dealings, and is spoken after the manner of men, who, when they repent of anything, change the course of their conduct and behaviour; and so the Lord does without any change of his mind and will, which alters not; and though he changes the outward dispensations of his providence, yet he never changes and alters in the matters and methods of his grace; though he repented he made Saul king, he never repents of his making his saints kings and priests…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“It grieved Samuel - “Samuel was angry, or displeased,” as Jonah was Jonah 4:1, and for a similar reason. Samuel was displeased that the king whom he had anointed should be set aside. It seemed a slur on his prophetic office. He cried unto the Lord - With the wild scream or shriek of supplication. (See 1Sa 7:8-9; 1 Samuel 12:18.) The phrase and the action mark Samuel’s fervent, earnest character. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Repenteth - Repentance implies grief of heart, and change of counsels, and therefore cannot be in God: but it is ascribed to God when God alters his method of dealing, and treats a person as if be did indeed repent of the kindness he had shewed him. All night - To implore his pardoning mercy for Saul, and for the people. Is turned back - Therefore he did once follow God. Otherwise it would have been impossible, he should turn back from following him. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 15:12”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“repenteth me: Sa1 15:35; Gen 6:6; Sa2 24:16; Psa 110:4; Jer 18:7-10; Amo 7:3; Jon 3:10, Jon 4:2 turned: Jos 22:16; Kg1 9:6; Psa 36:3, Psa 78:41, Psa 78:57, Psa 125:5; Zep 1:6; Mat 24:13; Heb 10:38 hath not performed: Sa1 15:3, Sa1 15:9, Sa1 13:13 it grieved: Sa1 15:35, Sa1 16:1; Psa 119:136; Jer 9:1, Jer 9:18, Jer 13:17; Luk 19:41-44; Rom 9:1-3 he cried: Sa1 12:23; Psa 109:4; Mat 5:44; Luk 6:12 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 15:12”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification