1 Samuel 15:11-23

Saul's disobedience and its penalty

11. It repenteth me "God's repentance is the change of His dispensation." In the language of the O. T. God is said to repent when a change in the character and conduct of those with whom He is dealing leads to a corresponding change in His plans and purposes towards them. Thus (a) upon man's penitence God repents and withdraws a threatened punishment (Exodus 32:14; 2 Samuel 24:16): (b) upon man's faithlessness and disobedience He cancels a promise or revokes a blessing which He had given. The opposite is also true, "God is not a man that he should repent" (1 Samuel 15:29). His repentance is not to be understood as though He who foreknows all things regrettedHis action, nor is it a sign of mutability. A change in the attitude of man to God necessarily involves a corresponding change in the attitude of God to man.

it grieved Samuel This rendering is probably right, though the word more commonly means "to be angry." Samuel was grieved at the failure of one from whom he had hoped for so much advantage to the nation.

he cried unto the Lord all night Interceding for Saul if perchance he might he forgiven. For Samuel's intercessions see ch. 1 Samuel 7:5, and compare Moses" pleading for Israel (Exodus 32:11-13). Our Lord "continued all night in prayer to God" (Luke 6:12).