Bible Strands
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Samuel addresses Saul immediately after Saul’s robe tears as he grabs it. The declaration occurs at the moment of prophetic judgment following Saul’s disobedience.
The words — קָרַע (ka.Ra') translates literally as “he has torn,” mirroring the physical tearing of Saul’s garment in the preceding verse. מַמְלְכ֥וּת (mam.le.Khut) denotes “the kingdom,” specifying the political and covenantal authority being transferred.
The thread — This transfer of royal authority echoes 1 Samuel 28:17, where the same tearing is reiterated, and finds its fulfillment in Acts 13:22 with David’s elevation. It aligns with the principle in 1 Samuel 2:7 that Yahweh alone humbles and exalts.
Why it lands — The text demands acknowledgment that divine authority supersedes human ambition. It requires the reader to accept that leadership depends on covenant faithfulness, not hereditary right or personal desire.
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 him, The Lord hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 28:17 He has done exactly what He spoke through me: The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor David.
- 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 2:7 The LORD sends poverty and wealth; He humbles and He exalts.
- 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 16:12 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 Kings 11:30 And Ahijah took hold of the new cloak he was wearing, tore it into twelve pieces,
- Jeremiah 27:5 By My great power and outstretched arm, I made the earth and the men and beasts on the face of it, and I give it to whom I please.
- Daniel 4:17 This decision is the decree of the watchers, the verdict declared by the holy ones, so that the living will know that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes, setting over it the lowliest of men.’
- Daniel 4:32 You will be driven away from mankind to live with the beasts of the field, and you will feed on grass like an ox. And seven times will pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.”
- John 19:11 Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of greater sin.”