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 15:35KJV
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1 Samuel 15:35 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 15:35 mean?

1 Samuel 15:35 describes how Samuel, the prophet, never visited Saul again after God rejected Saul as king, though Samuel continued to grieve over Saul. The verse also says that the LORD regretted making Saul king over Israel.

Samuel is the prophet who had anointed Saul as Israel’s first king, and Saul is the king who disobeyed God’s command. After Saul’s rejection, Samuel and Saul’s relationship was permanently changed—Samuel did not see Saul again, but he still mourned for him. The verse ends by emphasizing that God’s decision to make Saul king brought sorrow, showing the seriousness of Saul’s failure.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 15:35

  • The word for “mourned” is אָבַל (’aval), which means to grieve or lament deeply. This highlights Samuel’s personal sorrow and ongoing care for Saul, even after their separation.
  • The word for “repented” is נָחַם (nacham), often understood as “was grieved” or “regretted.” This does not mean God made a mistake, but that God was deeply saddened by the outcome of Saul’s kingship.
  • The word for “king” is מָלַךְ (malakh), which refers to Saul’s official role as ruler. The verse stresses that God’s regret was specifically about Saul’s position as king over Israel.

Why 1 Samuel 15:35 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the break between Samuel and Saul was final, marking a turning point in Israel’s leadership and in Samuel’s prophetic ministry.
  • The verse emphasizes the seriousness of Saul’s disobedience—not just as a personal failure, but as something that brought grief to both Samuel and God.
  • By stating that the LORD “repented” or “regretted” making Saul king, the verse invites readers to reflect on the real consequences of choices and leadership, and how even God’s plans can involve sorrow when people turn away from His ways.

Where else these words appear

“mourned” Hebrew H56 · used in 38 verses

  • Genesis 37:34 And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.
  • Nehemiah 8:9 And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the LORD your God; mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law.
  • Jeremiah 23:10 For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right.

“nevertheless” Hebrew H3588 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 1:4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
  • Exodus 13:17 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:
  • Joshua 2:12 Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token:

“repented” Hebrew H5162 · used in 100 verses

  • Genesis 5:29 And he called his name Noah, saying, This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands, because of the ground which the LORD hath cursed.
  • Job 42:6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
  • Jeremiah 18:10 If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.

“Samuel” Hebrew H8050 · used in 120 verses

  • Numbers 34:20 And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud.
  • 1 Samuel 9:15 Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,
  • 1 Samuel 15:20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.