1 Samuel 15:24

Sin Fear Guilt and conscience Repentance

²² But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.

²³ For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”

Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; I have transgressed the LORD’s commandment and your instructions, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.

²⁵ Now therefore, please forgive my sin and return with me so I can worship the LORD.”

²⁶ “I will not return with you,” Samuel replied. “For you have rejected the word of the LORD, and He has rejected you as king over Israel.”

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; I have transgressed the LORD’s commandment and your instructions, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.
KJV: And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.
WEB: Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.
ASV: And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned; for I have transgressed the commandment of Jehovah, and thy words, because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.
DARBY: And Saul said to Samuel, I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of Jehovah, and thy words; for I feared the people, and hearkened to their voice.
BLB: And Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; for I have transgressed the commandment of YHWH, and your words, because I feared the people and I listened to their voice.

ÅB: Da sa Saul til Samuel: Jeg har syndet; jeg har overtrådt Herrens bud og dine ord; for jeg var redd folket og gav etter for dem.
OTB: Da sa Saul til Samuel: «Jeg har syndet; jeg har virkelig vært ulydig mot Herrens befaling og dine ord, fordi jeg fryktet folket og lyttet til deres røst.
B1930: Da sa Saul til Samuel: Jeg har syndet; jeg har overtrådt Herrens bud og dine ord; for jeg var redd folket og gav efter for dem.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

2 Samuel 12:13
Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” “The LORD has taken away your sin,” Nathan replied. “You will not die.
Read in context
Isaiah 51:12–13
“I, even I, am He who comforts you. Why should you be afraid of mortal man, of a son of man who withers like grass?
Read in context
Proverbs 29:25
The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.
Read in context
Galatians 1:10
Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Read in context
Numbers 22:34
“I have sinned,” Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, “for I did not realize that you were standing in the road to confront me. And now, if this is displeasing in your sight, I will go back home.”
Read in context
Exodus 23:2
You shall not follow the crowd in wrongdoing. When you testify in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd.
Read in context
Matthew 27:4
“I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.”
Read in context
1 Samuel 15:30
“I have sinned,” Saul replied. “Please honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel. Come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD your God.”
Read in context