1 Samuel 15:28

28 Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors—to one better than you.

1 Samuel 15:28 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
28 And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.
English Standard Version (ESV)
28 And Samuel said to him, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you.
New Living Translation (NLT)
28 And Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to someone else—one who is better than you.
The Message Bible (MSG)
28 Samuel said, "God has just now torn the kingdom from you, and handed it over to your neighbor, a better man than you are.
American Standard Version (ASV)
28 And Samuel said unto him, Jehovah hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbor of thine, that is better than thou.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
28 Samuel told him, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today. He has given it to your neighbor who is better than you.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
28 Samuel said to him, "The Lord has torn the kingship of Israel away from you today and has given it to your neighbor who is better than you.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
28 Samuel said to Saul, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel away from you today. He has given it to one of your neighbors. He has given it to someone who is better than you.

1 Samuel 15:28 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 15:28

And Samuel said unto him, the Lord hath rent the kingdom of
Israel from thee this day
Seeing his mantle rent by Saul, he took occasion from thence to predict, and no doubt it was impressed on his mind by the Spirit of God, that his kingdom should be in a like manner rent from him, on account of his own evil conduct and behaviour; and from this day forward he might expect it; the sentence was gone forth from God, and it would not be reversed; and by a like sign was signified the rending of the ten tribes from the kingdom of Solomon in his son Rehoboam, ( 1 Kings 11:30 1 Kings 11:31 ) ,

and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou;
who was David, a man after God's own heart, that would fulfil his will, who was more holy, just, and wise than Saul; whose works were better and righter than his, as the Targum; who was an Israelite, of the same nation and religion as he, and so his neighbour; and though he was not of the same tribe, yet of a neighbouring tribe; Benjamin, and Judah, of which tribe David was, joining closely to one another. It is highly probable that at this time Samuel knew not personally who he was that was designed to be made king in his room, though under the direction of the Spirit of God he thus describes him; for after this he is bid to go to Jesse's family, from thence to anoint a king, and several passed before him ere the Lord pointed out the proper person to him.

1 Samuel 15:28 In-Context

26 But Samuel said to him, “I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you as king over Israel!”
27 As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore.
28 Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors—to one better than you.
29 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.”
30 Saul replied, “I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD your God.”

Cross References 3

  • 1. 1 Samuel 28:17; 1 Kings 11:31
  • 2. S 1 Samuel 13:14
  • 3. 2 Samuel 6:21; 2 Samuel 7:15
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