Bible Strands
1 Samuel 15:26
“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.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Samuel addresses Saul at the conclusion of their confrontation, refusing to accompany him back to worship after Saul’s request for forgiveness.
The words — לֹ֥א (lo') means "not" and אָשׁ֖וּב ('a.Shuv) means "I will return," forming Samuel’s direct refusal. כִּ֤י (ki) introduces the causal clause that Saul rejected the LORD’s word and the LORD rejected him as king.
The thread — The mutual rejection pattern mirrors Hosea 4:6, where God rejects those who reject His knowledge, and aligns with 1 Samuel 13:14 and 1 Samuel 16:1, which document God’s rejection of Saul’s kingship and the appointment of a successor.
Why it lands — The text states that Samuel will not return with Saul because Saul rejected God’s command and God consequently rejected Saul’s kingship. It requires the reader to acknowledge that religious ritual cannot substitute for obedience to divine instruction.
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
And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.
Cross-references
- Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.
- 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.”
- 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.”
- 1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”
- Jeremiah 6:19 Hear, O earth! I am bringing disaster on this people, the fruit of their own schemes, because they have paid no attention to My word and have rejected My instruction.
- 2 John 1:11 Whoever greets such a person shares in his evil deeds.
- Genesis 43:11 Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your packs and carry them down as a gift for the man—a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachios and almonds.
- 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 15:31 So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD.
- Luke 24:28 As they approached the village where they were headed, He seemed to be going farther.