King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 15:35 Mean?

1 Samuel 15:35 in the King James Version says “And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repen... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.

1 Samuel 15:35 · KJV


Context

33

And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal.

34

Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul.

35

And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.

The chapter concludes with profound grief: 'Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul.' The Hebrew aval ('mourned') describes grief as for the dead. Samuel mourns not Saul's death but the death of what Saul could have been. The final note - 'and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel' - returns to verse 11's theme. Divine grief bookends this chapter of rejection. God and prophet together mourn the tragedy of rejected grace.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Samuel's mourning reflects the depth of his investment in Saul. As the prophet who anointed him and announced God's choice, Samuel bore personal grief at Saul's failure. This ongoing mourning would require divine intervention to end (16:1).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to mourn for the living - for what someone could have been?
  2. How do divine grief and prophetic grief together witness to the tragedy of rejected grace?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְלֹֽא1 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָסַ֨ף2 of 22

came no more

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

שְׁמוּאֵ֖ל3 of 22

And Samuel

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

לִרְא֤וֹת4 of 22

to see

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֶת5 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שָׁא֖וּל6 of 22

Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

עַד7 of 22
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

י֣וֹם8 of 22

until the day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

מוֹת֔וֹ9 of 22

of his death

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

כִּֽי10 of 22

nevertheless

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הִתְאַבֵּ֥ל11 of 22

mourned

H56

to bewail

שְׁמוּאֵ֖ל12 of 22

And Samuel

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

אֶל13 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שָׁא֖וּל14 of 22

Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

וַֽיהוָ֣ה15 of 22

and the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

נִחָ֔ם16 of 22

repented

H5162

properly, to sigh, i.e., breathe strongly; by implication, to be sorry, i.e., (in a favorable sense) to pity, console or (reflexively) rue; or (unfavo

כִּֽי17 of 22

nevertheless

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הִמְלִ֥יךְ18 of 22

king

H4427

to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel

אֶת19 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שָׁא֖וּל20 of 22

Saul

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

עַל21 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃22 of 22

over Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 15:35 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 15:35 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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