1 Samuel 13:14

But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler over His people, because you have not kept the command of the LORD.”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Samuel speaks to Saul at Gilgal, pronouncing judgment immediately after Saul has seized the priestly role and offered the sacrifice himself in violation of God's command to wait (1 Sam 13:8–14).

The words — בּקֵשׁ (bikkesh, H1245) is perfect tense: "he has sought," a completed action. God's search for a replacement is already finished before Saul even hears the sentence.

The thread — Acts 13:22 quotes the "man after his own heart" language in the context of David's elevation; 1 Samuel 15:28 records the actual tearing of the kingdom from Saul; Psalms 89:19 frames God's choice of a warrior from the people in similar terms.

Why it lands — The verse forces a question: is your standing before God secured by a single faithful act, or by a heart that keeps the specific command even when it costs you?

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

King James Version

But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the Lord hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the Lord hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the Lord commanded thee.

Cross-references

Acts 13:22 After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’
1 Samuel 15:28 So 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.
Psalms 89:19 You once spoke in a vision; to Your godly ones You said, “I have bestowed help on a warrior; I have exalted one chosen from the people.
Psalms 78:70 He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds;
1 Samuel 16:1 Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.”
Acts 7:46 who found favor in the sight of God and asked to provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob.
1 Samuel 16:12 So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.”
1 Samuel 2:30 Therefore, the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I did indeed say that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever. But now the LORD declares: Far be it from Me! For I will honor those who honor Me, but those who despise Me will be disdained.
1 Samuel 9:16 “At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you are to anoint him ruler over My people Israel; he will save them from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.”
2 Samuel 5:2 Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’”