1 Samuel 15:27 - Printer Friendly

ESV: As Samuel turned to go away, Saul seized the skirt of his robe, and it tore.

NIV: As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore.

NASB: Then Samuel turned to go, but Saul grasped the edge of his robe, and it tore off.

CSB: When Samuel turned to go, Saul grabbed the corner of his robe, and it tore.

NLT: As Samuel turned to go, Saul tried to hold him back and tore the hem of his robe.

KJV: And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent.

NKJV: And as Samuel turned around to go away, Saul seized the edge of his robe, and it tore.

Saul now attempts to show Samuel that he is serious about being sorry for his sin against the Lord. During this era in Israel and the ancient Near East, grabbing the hem of a person's robe was a symbolic way of showing submission to a superior. It all but requires someone to kneel or bow down. Saul has asked Samuel to pardon him for his disobedience to God, and Samuel has made clear that it's too late. The Lord has already rejected Saul as Israel's king (1 Samuel 15:25–26). Saul seems to be begging for mercy.

Perhaps in his desperation to get back Samuel's approval, Saul grabbed the edge of Samuel's robe with too much force. The robe tore, probably ripping off a piece in Saul's hand. Samuel will use this as an illustration of what God has declared about Saul and his kingdom (1 Samuel 15:28).

First Samuel 15:24–35 demonstrates that the Lord is firm in His rejection of Saul. Saul disobeyed God's commands about the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15:3, 9). After Samuel's confrontation (1 Samuel 15:22–23), Saul admits his guilt. Samuel refuses to offer a pardon. As he leaves, Saul clutches at Samuel's robe and tears it. Samuel says this symbolizes how the throne will be torn out of Saul's hands. Samuel follows Saul to Gilgal and personally, brutally executes the Amalekite king Agag. This is the last time Samuel will come to meet with Saul.

Samuel gives Saul a mission from the Lord: fulfill God's judgment on the Amalekites by killing all the people and all the animals. Saul and his army defeat Amalek, but they spare the king and the best animals. Samuel confronts Saul and reveals that because of his disobedience, the Lord has rejected Saul as king over Israel. Samuel worships the Lord with Saul one last time and then executes the Amalekite king Saul failed to kill.

First Samuel 14 ended with a summary of Saul's reign; chapter 15 describes God's rejection of Saul as king. First Samuel 13 had already indicated that Saul's household would not retain the kingdom due to Saul's disobedience (1 Samuel 13:8–14); here Saul himself is rejected. The Lord commands Saul to fulfill His longstanding judgment against the Amalekites. Saul and his army defeat Amalek, but Saul disobeys God by sparing the king and the best animals. Saul eventually admits that he has sinned, but Samuel says God will not change His mind about rejecting Saul as king. From a heavenly perspective, Saul is rejected; but from an earthly perspective, he would continue his rule for another fifteen to twenty years.

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.

Accessed 11/21/2024 8:20:07 AM