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1 Samuel 15:29

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 15:29 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent; for he is not a man, that he should repent.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent; for he is not a man, that he should repent.
1 Samuel 15:29 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 15

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
26And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee; for thou hast rejected the word of Jehovah, and Jehovah hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.
27And as Samuel turned about to go away, [Saul] laid hold upon the skirt of his robe, and it rent.
28And Samuel said unto him, Jehovah hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbor of thine, that is better than thou.
29And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent; for he is not a man, that he should repent.
30Then he said, I have sinned: yet honor me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship Jehovah thy God.
31So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped Jehovah.
32Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him cheerfully. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.
← 1 Samuel 15:281 Samuel 15:30 →
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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
“And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent, etc.] Neither of the evil which he had threatened to Saul in taking away the kingdom from him; nor of the good which he had promised to David in giving it to him; nor of his purpose and promise to Israel to protect and defend them, save and deliver them from the Philistines, and continue them a nation and kingdom: and for the confirmation of all this, this title or character of the Lord is given, “the Strength of Israel”; hence he cannot lie, which is the effect of weakness; nor repent or change his mind, as men do, when something unforeseen arises, which hinders the execution of their first design, and which through weakness they…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“the Strength of Israel will not lie--Hebrew, "He that gives a victory to Israel," a further rebuke of his pride in rearing the Carmel trophy, and an intimation that no loss would be sustained in Israel by his rejection.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The strength of Israel - A phrase which occurs only here. The word means, perpetuity, truth, glory, victory, and trust, or confidence. 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
“Strength of Israel - So he calls God here, to shew the reason why God neither will nor can lie; because lying proceeds from the sense of a man's weakness, who cannot many times accomplish his design without lying and dissimulation; therefore many princes have used it for this very reason. But God needs no such artifices; he can do whatsoever he pleaseth by his absolute power. Repent - That is, nor change his counsel; which also is an effect of weakness and imperfection, either of wisdom or power. So that this word is not here used in the sense it commonly is when applied to God, as in Jer. 11:1-23, and lsewhere. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 15:31”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“15:29 nor will he change his mind: Samuel spoke prophetically of God’s commitment to make David king and to preserve his dynasty. God had rejected Saul, but he would never reject David (see 2 Sam 7:8-17).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Strength: or, Eternity, or, Victory, Deu 33:27; Psa 29:11, Psa 68:35; Isa 45:24; Joe 3:16; Co2 12:9; Phi 4:13 will not lie: Num 14:28, Num 14:29, Num 23:19; Psa 95:11; Eze 24:14; Ti2 2:13; Tit 1:2; Heb 6:18 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 15:30”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Samuel 15 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification