1 Samuel 15:26

“And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee, etc.] Not being satisfied with his repentance and confession, he still extenuating his sin, and laying the blame of it on the people. This he said by way of resentment, and as expressing his indignation at him, though he afterwards did return with him on a change of his mind; which a good man may be allowed to make, without any imputation of falsehood or a lie unto him: for thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord hath rejected thee from being king over Israel; which is repeated from (<091523>1 Samuel 15:23) for the confirmation of it, and to let Saul know that his pretended confession and repentance had made no alteration…”

“I will not - This was no lie, though he afterwards returned, because he spoke what he meant; his words and his intentions agreed together, though afterwards he saw reason to change his intentions. Compare Gen 19:2-3. This may relieve many perplexed consciences, who think themselves obliged to do what they have said they would do, though they see just cause to change their minds. Hath rejected thee, &c. - But he does not say, he "hath rejected thee from salvation." And who besides hath authority to say so? 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 15:29”

“I will not: Sa1 15:31; Gen 42:38, Gen 43:11-14; Luk 24:28, Luk 24:29; Jo2 1:11 for thou: Sa1 15:23, Sa1 2:30, Sa1 13:14, Sa1 16:1; Jer 6:19; Hos 4:6 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 15:28”

“This request Samuel refused, repeating at the same time the sentence of rejection, and turned to depart. "Then Saul laid hold of the lappet of his mantle (i.e., his upper garment), and it tore" (lit. was torn off). That the Niphal ויּקּרע is correct, and is not to be altered into אתהּ ויּקרע, "Saul tore off the lappet," according to the rendering of the lxx, as Thenius supposes, is evident from the explanation which Samuel gave of the occurrence ( Sa1 15:28): "Jehovah hath torn the sovereignty of Israel from thee to-day, and given it to thy neighbour, who is better than thou." As Saul was about to hold back the prophet by force, that he might obtain from him a revocation of the divine…”