And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David:

1 SAMUEL 28:17KJV
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1 Samuel 28:17 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 28:17 mean?

1 Samuel 28:17 means that the LORD has carried out what He promised: He has taken the kingdom away from Saul and given it to David, just as He said He would through the prophet Samuel. This verse states that Saul’s loss of the throne and David’s rise are direct actions from God, fulfilling earlier warnings.

In this scene, the prophet Samuel’s spirit is speaking to King Saul, who has sought out a medium to contact Samuel after God stopped answering him. Samuel reminds Saul that the LORD (the Hebrew name יְהוָה, "YHWH") has done exactly what was foretold: the kingdom has been torn (rent) from Saul’s grasp and given to his "neighbor," meaning David. This verse highlights the fulfillment of God’s word and the finality of Saul’s rejection as king.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 28:17

  • יְהוָה (YHWH, transliterated "YHWH" or "Yahweh") is used for "the LORD" and emphasizes that this is the personal, covenant God of Israel acting, not just a generic deity.
  • קָרַע (qāra‘, "rent") means to tear or rip apart, showing the forceful and irreversible nature of Saul losing the kingdom.
  • מַמְלָכָה (mamlākhāh, "kingdom") refers to the rule or reign, underscoring that it is not just Saul’s personal power but the whole authority over Israel that is being transferred.
  • רֵעַ (rēa‘, "neighbor") here means someone nearby or close, but in this context, it specifically points to David, who was once Saul’s servant and companion but is now his replacement.

Why 1 Samuel 28:17 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Saul’s downfall was not random or political but a direct result of God’s decision, fulfilling earlier prophecies.
  • The use of "neighbor" for David highlights how close David was to Saul, making the loss more personal and painful.
  • 1 Samuel 28:17 connects back to earlier chapters where Samuel warned Saul that disobedience would cost him the kingdom, showing that God’s word is reliable and comes to pass.

Where else these words appear

“rent” Hebrew H7167 · used in 60 verses

  • Genesis 37:29 And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes.
  • 1 Kings 11:12 Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.
  • 2 Chronicles 34:27 Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD.

“kingdom” Hebrew H4467 · used in 113 verses

  • Genesis 10:10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
  • 2 Kings 15:19 And Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.
  • Isaiah 14:16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;