1 Samuel 15 34

1 Samuel 15:34 kjv

Then Samuel went to Ramah; and Saul went up to his house to Gibeah of Saul.

1 Samuel 15:34 nkjv

Then Samuel went to Ramah, and Saul went up to his house at Gibeah of Saul.

1 Samuel 15:34 niv

Then Samuel left for Ramah, but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul.

1 Samuel 15:34 esv

Then Samuel went to Ramah, and Saul went up to his house in Gibeah of Saul.

1 Samuel 15:34 nlt

Then Samuel went home to Ramah, and Saul returned to his house at Gibeah of Saul.

1 Samuel 15 verses

1 Samuel 15 34 Meaning

This verse marks a pivotal, yet deeply conflicted, moment following Samuel's pronouncement of God's rejection of King Saul. Samuel's action of "turning back" signifies his pragmatic decision to accompany Saul, not as a sign of renewed divine favor for Saul, but perhaps to uphold a degree of public order and to allow for the completion of a ritual (worship) before the subsequent execution of God's judgment (the killing of Agag). Saul's act of "worship" is largely portrayed as an outward, self-serving gesture, primarily intended to restore his public image and maintain the respect of his people, rather than an expression of genuine repentance or submission to the LORD. It underscores the spiritual chasm between outward religious observance and true, obedient devotion.

1 Samuel 15 34 Context

Chapter 15 of 1 Samuel chronicles the pivotal moment of King Saul's irreversible disobedience to the LORD. God commanded Saul, through Samuel, to utterly destroy the Amalekites – men, women, children, and all livestock – as retribution for their ancient enmity towards Israel. Saul, however, spared Agag, the Amalekite king, and the best of the livestock, claiming it was for sacrifice to the LORD. Samuel confronted Saul, delivering God's judgment that "to obey is better than sacrifice." Despite Samuel's stern rebuke and the divine rejection of his kingship, Saul's subsequent apologies were driven more by a desire to preserve his public standing and gain Samuel's affirmation than by genuine repentance before God. This verse immediately follows Saul's plea to Samuel to "honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel, and return with me, that I may worship the LORD your God" (1 Sam 15:30).

1 Samuel 15 34 Word analysis

• Then Samuel: This phrase introduces Samuel's response to Saul's persistent pleas. It indicates a temporal shift, highlighting Samuel's reluctant yielding to Saul's request to accompany him back to the people.

• turned back (וַיָּשָׁב, wayyāšōḇ): Derived from the Hebrew root shuv, meaning "to turn," "return," or "repent." While Samuel physically turned to go with Saul, the verb carries an ironic echo of the spiritual "turning" (repentance) that Saul desperately needed but failed to exhibit genuinely. Samuel's turning was a calculated move, not an agreement to reverse God's judgment.

• to follow (אַחֲרֵי, ʾaḥărê): Literally means "behind" or "after." Samuel accompanied Saul, walking behind or alongside him. This implies a temporary and purposeful alignment in motion, allowing for public appearance and the subsequent execution of Agag, rather than indicating any restoration of Saul's authority or a softening of God's decree.

• Saul; and Saul: The repetition of Saul's name specifically identifies him as the agent of the subsequent action, emphasizing that his worship was his own act, likely a performance to secure public opinion, contrasting it with Samuel's resolute commitment to divine judgment.

• worshipped (וַיִּשְׁתַּחֲוּ, wayyištahû): From the Hebrew root shachah, meaning "to bow down," "prostrate oneself," or "do homage." This is the common word for an act of reverence or worship. In this context, the physical act of bowing down before the LORD by Saul, after his significant disobedience, raises profound questions about the sincerity and heart behind the gesture.

• the LORD (לַיהוָה, layhwāh): Refers to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. Saul's formal act of worship was directed towards the rightful God, yet it was hollow, lacking the fundamental obedience and humility that God requires from those who worship Him.

• Words-group Analysis

• "Samuel turned back to follow Saul": This action should not be interpreted as Samuel compromising or God retracting His decision. Instead, Samuel's return serves a critical purpose: it maintains his prophetic credibility before the people and provides the necessary occasion for him to publicly execute Agag, completing the LORD's command that Saul had failed to obey. Samuel did not yield to Saul's plea for restoration but rather strategically prepared for the next, inevitable step of judgment.

• "and Saul worshipped the LORD": This outward display of religious devotion by Saul is profoundly ironic and serves to highlight his superficiality. Immediately after hearing God's rejection and stubbornly justifying his actions, Saul engages in an act of "worship" aimed at salvaging his honor among men rather than genuinely humbling himself before God. His worship lacked the broken and contrite spirit that God truly desires, illustrating that religious rituals without an obedient heart are meaningless to the Almighty.

1 Samuel 15 34 Bonus section

• Immediately following this verse, Samuel demonstrates why he accompanied Saul: he publicly summons Agag and personally executes him (1 Sam 15:32-33). This vividly portrays Samuel as the unswerving instrument of God's justice, even as Saul proved himself incapable of such commitment. Samuel's 'turning back' was thus not a reconciliation with Saul's rebellion, but a necessary step to complete God's initial command.
• The contrast between Saul's repeated, self-preserving apologies and David's deep, humble, and heartfelt repentance (e.g., in 2 Sam 12 or Ps 51) highlights a critical biblical distinction between worldly sorrow (which often leads to regret for consequences) and godly sorrow (which leads to genuine change and salvation). Saul's sorrow remained rooted in consequences and public perception, not in offence against God.

1 Samuel 15 34 Commentary

The scene in 1 Samuel 15:34 depicts a moment of fragile peace that barely conceals deep spiritual tension. Samuel's decision to accompany Saul, after pronouncing God's rejection of his kingship, appears to be a reluctant yet calculated move. It was likely a pragmatic act to preserve decorum, ensure public order, and more importantly, to facilitate the public execution of Agag as commanded by God—an execution Saul failed to carry out. This indicates Samuel's unwavering commitment to divine commands, even when dealing with a defiant king.

Saul's act of worship is equally significant. Given his earlier confessions of fearing the people more than God, his continuous attempts to justify himself, and his priority for public image (1 Sam 15:24, 30), his bowing down before the LORD can be understood as largely performative. It was an external display of piety, a desperate attempt to restore his standing in the eyes of the elders and the people, rather than a genuine expression of repentance for his profound disobedience. This moment encapsulates a crucial lesson: God values sincere obedience and a contrite heart far more than empty rituals or outward shows of devotion. Saul's subsequent behavior continues to affirm that his "worship" here was not born of true change, but a political maneuver in a moment of crisis.