1 Samuel 15 29

1 Samuel 15:29 kjv

And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.

1 Samuel 15:29 nkjv

And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor relent. For He is not a man, that He should relent."

1 Samuel 15:29 niv

He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind."

1 Samuel 15:29 esv

And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or have regret, for he is not a man, that he should have regret."

1 Samuel 15:29 nlt

And he who is the Glory of Israel will not lie, nor will he change his mind, for he is not human that he should change his mind!"

1 Samuel 15 verses

1 Samuel 15 29 Meaning

1 Samuel 15:29 declares the immutable and unwavering character of God, stating that "the Glory of Israel will not lie nor change His mind; for He is not a man, that He should change His mind." This verse powerfully contrasts the fallibility and fickleness of humanity, particularly exemplified by King Saul's disobedience and human "repentance," with the perfect steadfastness of God. It asserts that God's essence and divine purposes are unalterable; He neither deceives nor needs to revoke a decision due to error or regret, unlike human beings. It serves as a profound assurance of God's faithfulness to His word and covenant, establishing the basis for trust in His sovereign decrees.

1 Samuel 15 29 Context

The verse 1 Samuel 15:29 is part of a crucial confrontation between the prophet Samuel and King Saul following Saul's disobedience concerning the divine command to utterly destroy the Amalekites. Specifically, Saul spared Agag, the Amalekite king, and the best of the livestock, violating God's explicit instruction to devote all to destruction.

Samuel initially tells Saul that because of his disobedience, God has rejected him from being king (1 Sam 15:23). When Saul then desperately pleads for Samuel to honor him before the elders and the people by returning with him to worship God, Samuel delivers this powerful statement. Saul, by human standards, sought a reprieve or a second chance based on his flawed concept of repentance. He believed that ritualistic acts could restore his standing with God.

In response, Samuel states in 1 Sam 15:29 that God is fundamentally different from humans. While verse 11 of the same chapter says, "I regret that I have made Saul king," verse 29 clarifies that this "regret" (נָחַם - nacham) does not imply God changing His mind or purposes like a human, but rather expresses divine sorrow, grief, or pain over humanity's failure and the consequences that follow God's just decree. The historical context reflects a monarchy still in its early stages in Israel, with the people prone to human leadership rather than absolute reliance on divine guidance. This verse underscores that the divine standard is perfect and immutable, in stark contrast to human error and instability, firmly setting the stage for the rejection of Saul and the eventual anointing of David as king.

1 Samuel 15 29 Word analysis

• And also the Glory: (וְגַם נֵצַח)

  • וְגַם (vegam): "and also," emphasizing the preceding rejection of Saul. It serves as a conclusive statement following Samuel's declaration.
  • נֵצַח (Netzach): This term carries a rich meaning beyond "Glory." It can signify "strength," "victory," "eternity," "endurance," "permanence," "excellency," or "splendor." When combined with "Israel," it points to the enduring, unchanging nature of God Himself, who is the source of Israel's eternal strength and ultimate glory. It distinguishes God from transient human attributes. In this context, it functions as a title for God, the one who embodies Israel's ultimate and eternal triumph.

• of Israel: (יִשְׂרָאֵל Yisra'el)

  • Refers to the nation and, by extension, God's covenant people. The phrase "Glory of Israel" personifies God as the one who represents, upholds, and embodies the ultimate excellence, permanence, and future of Israel. It implies that God is the eternal champion and protector of His people, and therefore, His character in relation to His promises to Israel cannot falter.

• will not lie: (יְכַזֵּב yekhazzēv)

  • From the root כָּזַב (kazav), meaning "to lie," "to deceive," "to prove false." This strongly affirms God's perfect truthfulness. Unlike humans who might lie due to weakness, fear, or malice, God, in His essence, is truth itself and cannot be false to His word. His integrity is absolute.

• nor change His mind; (וְיִנָּחֵם w'yinnāḥēm)

  • From the verb נָחַם (nacham), which can mean "to be sorry," "to regret," "to comfort oneself," or "to change one's mind." Here, it specifically denotes a change of intention, plan, or purpose due to imperfect knowledge, mistake, or sorrow-induced reversal. The use of "nor" emphasizes God's consistent purpose. This is key to reconciling this verse with 1 Samuel 15:11 ("I regret that I have made Saul king"). While God expresses a form of grief or sorrow (nacham) over Saul's failure and its consequences, He does not fundamentally change His ultimate, just, and perfect decision concerning Saul's kingship and future; His decree against Saul's kingdom remains firm. God's "repentance" is a descriptive anthropopathic expression of sorrow or a change in relationship due to human action, not an alteration of His perfect, divine plan or purpose.

• for He is not a man, (כִּי לֹא אִישׁ הוּא ki lo ish hu)

  • כִּי (ki): "for," "because," introducing the reason for the previous statements.
  • לֹא אִישׁ (lo ish): "not a man." This is a stark contrast. Men are limited, prone to sin, errors in judgment, and subject to fluctuating emotions and external influences, leading them to lie or change their minds. God's divine nature is free from all such imperfections. His knowledge is perfect, His power infinite, and His character unblemished. This sets God apart as transcendent and sovereign.

• that He should change His mind: (וּמִשָּׂטֶף אֲדָמָה w'yinnāḥēm)

  • This is the same verb נָחַם (nacham) as above. Its repetition for emphasis underscores that the characteristic of human "changing of mind"—which implies fickleness, error, or regret over a wrong decision—is utterly absent in God. God’s decisions are founded on perfect knowledge and justice.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "The Glory of Israel will not lie nor change His mind": This phrase encapsulates God's ultimate reliability. The specific appellation "Glory of Israel" suggests that God's very reputation and the foundation of Israel's hope are tied to this unchangeable character. His declarations are truth, and His purposes stand eternally firm. This statement provides assurance for all God's promises and covenant obligations.

  • "for He is not a man, that He should change His mind": This second part provides the theological justification for the first. It presents a crucial ontological distinction between Creator and creation. Humanity's capacity for error, moral failings, and limited perspective necessitate change of mind and repentance. God's omniscient, omnipotent, and perfectly righteous nature means He has no need to adjust His intentions, as they are always perfect from the outset. This principle is fundamental to understanding God's sovereignty and His unwavering faithfulness.

1 Samuel 15 29 Bonus section

The specific choice of "Glory of Israel" (Netzach Yisrael) instead of a more common divine title like YHWH or Elohim, underscores not only God's unchangeable character but also its direct relevance to Israel's well-being and identity. It emphasizes that Israel's very existence and security are dependent on the constancy and integrity of their God. For God to lie or change His mind would be to fundamentally undermine the foundation of His covenant people.

The tension between God "regretting" (v. 11) and "not changing His mind" (v. 29) is a key biblical example of anthropomorphism (describing God with human characteristics) alongside clear theological precision. This allows Scripture to express God's emotional responses to human behavior without compromising His divine attributes of perfection and immutability. It reveals a God who truly grieves over sin but whose eternal decrees are unfailing. This distinction is vital for understanding divine sovereignty in conjunction with human responsibility. This theological point, established in the early days of Israel's monarchy, remains central to understanding God's character throughout Scripture.

1 Samuel 15 29 Commentary

1 Samuel 15:29 is a profound theological statement concerning the immutability of God, delivered by Samuel to King Saul amidst a pivotal moment of rejection. It directly counters Saul's human desire for a reprieve or a superficial reconciliation. The phrase "Glory of Israel" acts as an attribute and title for God, signifying that the very enduring strength and ultimate excellence of Israel is rooted in God's unchanging nature. God does not deceive; His word is always truth. Neither does He alter His fundamental purpose, not in the way a man might due to limited knowledge, a mistake, or an emotional reversal.

This verse clarifies the preceding statement in verse 11 where the Lord "regretted" making Saul king. God's "regret" (נָחַם) is an anthropopathic expression conveying His deep sorrow or grief over human sin and its tragic consequences. It is not a sign that He made a mistake or changed His ultimate divine plan. His ultimate decision to reject Saul as king for his rebellion was fixed, just, and unwavering. The verse assures that God's promises and judgments, though they may elicit divine sorrow when humans deviate, remain steadfast according to His righteous character. This foundational truth gives security to those who trust in God's word and strengthens faith in His eternal plan.

Examples:

• God's unchangeable promise to Abraham regarding numerous descendants (Gen 12:2).
• His unbreakable covenant with Noah not to destroy the earth by flood again (Gen 9:11).
• The enduring nature of God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ (Heb 13:8).