1 Samuel 13 14

1 Samuel 13:14 kjv

But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.

1 Samuel 13:14 nkjv

But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you."

1 Samuel 13:14 niv

But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the LORD's command."

1 Samuel 13:14 esv

But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be prince over his people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you."

1 Samuel 13:14 nlt

But now your kingdom must end, for the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart. The LORD has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD's command."

1 Samuel 13 verses

1 Samuel 13 14 Meaning

This verse is a divine pronouncement delivered by the prophet Samuel to King Saul, declaring that Saul's kingdom, specifically his dynastic line, will not endure. The Lord, in His sovereignty, has actively sought and will establish a new king, described as "a man after His own heart." This chosen individual will be appointed as the true ruler over His people. The definitive reason for this judgment is stated explicitly: Saul's failure to keep, or obey, the Lord’s command.

1 Samuel 13 14 Context

This verse occurs at a critical juncture in the early history of Israel's monarchy. The narrative prior to chapter 13 establishes Saul as Israel's first king, chosen largely based on his physical stature and the people's desire to be "like other nations" with a human king (1 Sam 8). However, from the outset, the true nature of kingship in Israel was intended to be a theocracy, where the king served as God's representative, bound by His laws and obedient to His commands.

In 1 Samuel chapter 13, Israel is embroiled in a war with the Philistines. Samuel had instructed Saul to wait seven days at Gilgal for his arrival, as Samuel was to offer the sacrifices before the battle (1 Sam 10:8). As the Philistine army gathered and Saul's own men began to desert him due to fear and impatience, Saul took matters into his own hands. Instead of waiting for Samuel, he offered the burnt offering and fellowship offering himself. This act constituted a usurpation of the priestly role reserved for Samuel or other Levitical priests, demonstrating a profound lack of faith, obedience, and patience with God's designated authority and timing. Samuel arrived immediately after Saul's self-appointed offering and pronounced the severe judgment recorded in 1 Samuel 13:14. This was not merely about a priestly duty; it revealed Saul's deeper character flaw of impulsive disobedience and prioritizing expediency over fidelity to God's precise instructions. This judgment, though not removing Saul immediately, marked the certain termination of his dynasty and set the stage for David's future rise.

1 Samuel 13 14 Word analysis

• But now: Indicates a sharp transition and a definite declaration following Saul's disobedient act.
• your kingdom will not continue: Hebrew: `lo' yiqqom mamlakatkha` (לֹא־יָקוּם מַמְלַכְתֶּךָ).
  • `lo' yiqqom` (לא יקום): Literally "it will not stand" or "it will not endure." This is a strong and definitive negation, signifying the cessation of Saul's dynastic line. It means his descendants will not inherit the throne.
  • `mamlakatkha` (מַמְלַכְתֶּךָ): "your kingdom" (referring to the royal line, the dynasty). This is the immediate consequence for Saul's failure, affecting his posterity.
• the Lord has sought out: Hebrew: `biqses YHWH` (בִקֵּשׁ יְהוָה).
  • `biqses` (בִּקֵּשׁ): From the root `baqash`, meaning "to seek," "to search for," "to look for." It implies a deliberate, active, and determined pursuit on God's part. God is not reacting by chance but is proactively looking for a suitable replacement ruler according to His criteria.
  • `YHWH` (יהוה): The covenant name of God, emphasizing His faithfulness and power in upholding His divine decrees, even when it involves replacing a human king.
• a man after his own heart: Hebrew: `'ish kilvavo` (אִישׁ כִּלְבָבוֹ).
  • `'ish` (אִישׁ): "a man."
  • `kilvavo` (כִּלְבָבוֹ): Lit. "according to His heart," or "to His own heart." This pivotal phrase describes someone whose inner disposition, intentions, desires, and will are aligned with God's. It's not about human perfection or flawless character (as David's later life attests), but about fundamental loyalty, a devotion to God's will, and a responsive, repentant heart when sin occurs. This quality stands in stark contrast to Saul, who repeatedly acted on self-interest or popular pressure rather than divine instruction. This phrase is applied specifically to David in Acts 13:22, clarifying his identity as this "man."
• and appointed him ruler of his people: Hebrew: `vaysnav `al-'ammo nagiyd` (וַיְצַוֵּהוּ עַל־עַמּוֹ נָגִיד).
  • `vaysnav` (וַיְצַוֵּהוּ): From the root `tsavah`, meaning "to command," "to appoint," "to order." It indicates a divine mandate and official designation by God Himself, highlighting His ultimate authority over human leaders.
  • `'ammo` (עַמּוֹ): "His people." God views Israel as "His people," not primarily the king's, reinforcing His ultimate proprietorship and sovereignty.
  • `nagiyd` (נָגִיד): "ruler," "prince," "leader." This term often denotes a divinely chosen and appointed leader, or one who is preeminent. It is distinct from `melekh` (מֶלֶךְ, "king"), sometimes used when a leader is designated by God prior to their full accession or establishment of a kingdom. This nuance underscores that God's selection is paramount, making the appointed one His servant first.
• because you have not kept the Lord’s command: Hebrew: `ki lo' shamarta 'et-mitswat YHWH` (כִּי לֹא שָׁמַרְתָּ אֵת מִצְוַת יְהוָה).
  • `ki` (כִּי): "because," explicitly stating the cause-and-effect relationship.
  • `lo' shamarta` (לֹא שָׁמַרְתָּ): "you have not kept" or "you have not observed." From the root `shamar`, meaning "to guard," "to keep," "to preserve," "to obey." This emphasizes active failure in obedience, a disregard for specific divine instructions, rather than passive oversight. Saul’s action (offering the sacrifice) was a direct violation of Samuel’s specific instruction, which represented God’s command.
  • `mitswat YHWH` (מִצְוַת יְהוָה): "the command of the Lord." Refers to specific divine instructions and expectations, demonstrating God's consistent requirement for obedience from those in leadership over His people.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:
• "But now your kingdom will not continue": This clause forcefully delivers the divine judgment. It signifies the end of Saul's opportunity to establish a permanent dynasty. Despite Saul remaining on the throne for a while longer, his line is cut off, a prophetic decree ensuring that no son of Saul would succeed him.
• "the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart": This highlights God's sovereignty and proactive determination in selecting a new king based on internal qualities. It establishes the criteria for God's chosen ruler, moving beyond human preference for external attributes (like Saul's stature) to spiritual alignment. This group of words immediately points to David as God's pre-selected choice.
• "and appointed him ruler of his people": Reinforces that the future leadership of Israel will be entirely by divine appointment, not human election. The term 'ruler' (nagiyd) might also subtly suggest a leader directly subject to God's ultimate rule, emphasizing God's prerogative to choose and set over His people whom He desires.
• "because you have not kept the Lord’s command": This is the unequivocal reason for Saul's rejection. It establishes a theological precedent that divine blessing and continuation of rule are contingent upon humble and consistent obedience to God's specific instructions, underscoring the theocratic nature of the Israelite monarchy.

1 Samuel 13 14 Bonus section

• The specific phrase "a man after his own heart" (איש כלבבו, 'ish kilvavo) is uniquely powerful because it implies an alignment of will, purpose, and affection with God Himself. It’s not about human perfection, but about the overall trajectory of one's life and a willingness to conform to God's purposes, often characterized by prompt repentance when sin occurs. This rare phrase only appears in the Old Testament here, specifically prefiguring David's kingship, and is explicitly stated in Acts 13:22 as fulfilled in David.
• The rejection of Saul's dynasty declared in this verse is definitive, even though Saul himself continues to reign for many more years (likely around 20 years total). This highlights that divine judgment can be decreed far in advance of its full, visible manifestation, setting into motion God's new plan even as the old one still outwardly exists.
• The term `nagiyd` (נגיד), translated as "ruler" or "prince," used for the man God seeks out (David), rather than `melekh` (מלך) or "king," subtly conveys the divine appointment and sovereignty. It emphasizes that this chosen one is a leader specifically appointed by God to lead "His people," highlighting God's continuing ownership and rule over Israel.

1 Samuel 13 14 Commentary

1 Samuel 13:14 represents a foundational turning point in Israel's history and in the theology of kingship. Saul's sin was more than an act of impatience or merely overstepping priestly boundaries; it was a profound act of disobedience that revealed a heart not fully submitted to God's authority and timing. His attempt to circumvent Samuel’s instructions stemmed from a lack of trust in God to deliver the Philistines and preserve his people. God's judgment, while seemingly severe for a single transgression, exposed a pattern of prioritizing human reasoning and expediency over divine commandment (further evident in chapter 15).

The declaration that Saul's kingdom would not endure speaks to the termination of his dynastic future. It underscores that while God granted Israel's desire for a king, He maintained absolute control over who would rule and on what terms. The contrasting image of "a man after His own heart" reveals God's ideal leader: one whose desires align with His, who seeks His will, and is fundamentally obedient. This choice transcends outward appearance or popular acclaim, focusing instead on internal character and devoted loyalty, despite any personal failings. David, chosen to embody this ideal, consistently returned to God in repentance when he erred, contrasting sharply with Saul's repeated deflections and justifications. This verse thus solidifies the principle that genuine leadership over God's people flows from a heart yielded to God's commands and purposes, highlighting God's ultimate sovereignty over earthly rulers.