1 Samuel 15:31
1 Samuel 15:31 in Multiple Translations
So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD.
So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the LORD.
So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped Jehovah.
So Samuel went back after Saul, and Saul gave worship to the Lord.
So Samuel went back with Saul after all, and Saul worshiped the Lord.
So Samuel turned againe, and followed Saul: and Saul worshipped the Lord.
And Samuel turneth back after Saul, and Saul boweth himself to Jehovah;
So Samuel went back with Saul; and Saul worshiped the LORD.
So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshiped the LORD.
So Samuel turned again after Saul: and Saul adored the Lord.
So Samuel finally agreed to do that, and they went together back to where the people were, and Saul worshiped Yahweh there.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 15:31
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Samuel 15:31 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יָּ֥שָׁב
שְׁמוּאֵ֖ל
אַחֲרֵ֣י
שָׁא֑וּל
וַ/יִּשְׁתַּ֥חוּ
שָׁא֖וּל
לַֽ/יהוָֽה
וַ/יָּ֥שָׁב
shûwb
H7725
to return
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
שְׁמוּאֵ֖ל
Shᵉmûwʼêl
H8050
Shemuel
N-proper
אַחֲרֵ֣י
ʼachar
H310
after
Prep
שָׁא֑וּל
Shâʼûwl
H7586
Shaul
N-proper
וַ/יִּשְׁתַּ֥חוּ
shâchâh
H7812
to bow
Conj | V-Hithpael-ConsecImperf-3ms
שָׁא֖וּל
Shâʼûwl
H7586
Shaul
N-proper
לַֽ/יהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
Prep | N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 15:31
וַ/יָּ֥שָׁב
shûwb
H7725
"to return"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
שְׁמוּאֵ֖ל
Shᵉmûwʼêl
H8050
"Shemuel"
N-proper
Shemuel was the name of three Israelites, including a judge and prophet of Israel during the time of King Saul and King David. His name means his name is El and he was the son of Elkanah and Hannah.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Issachar living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, only mentioned at 1Ch.7.2; son of: Tola (H8439); brother of: Uzzi (H5813H), Rephaiah (H7509I), Jeriel (H3400), Jahmai (H3181) and Ibsam (H3005) § Samuel = "his name is El" 1) son of Elkanah by his wife Hannah and judge or prophet of Israel during the days of Saul and David 2) son Ammihud and the prince of the tribe of Simeon who was chosen to divide the land of Canaan between the tribes. Spelled 'Shemuel' 3) son of Tola and grandson of Issachar. Spelled 'Shemuel'
Usage: Occurs in 120 OT verses. KJV: Samuel, Shemuel. See also: Numbers 34:20; 1 Samuel 12:1; Psalms 99:6.
אַחֲרֵ֣י
ʼachar
H310
"after"
Prep
Achar means backwards or after, used to describe something that happens later or in the rear. It is used in various senses in the Bible, including in 1 Kings 12:18.
Definition: 1) after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time) 1a) as an adverb 1a1) behind (of place) 1a2) afterwards (of time) 1b) as a preposition 1b1) behind, after (of place) 1b2) after (of time) 1b3) besides 1c) as a conjunction 1c) after that 1d) as a substantive 1d1) hinder part 1e) with other prepositions 1e1) from behind 1e2) from following after
Usage: Occurs in 664 OT verses. KJV: after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 18:2; Joshua 8:14.
שָׁא֑וּל
Shâʼûwl
H7586
"Shaul"
N-proper
Shaul is a personal name meaning desired, given to several individuals in the Bible, including a Benjamite who became the first king of Israel and a Levite living during the time of the Divided Monarchy. He is mentioned in 1 Chronicles and 1 Samuel.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.6.24; son of: Uzziah (H5818H); father of: Elkanah (H0511I); also called Joel at 1Ch.6.36; Also named: yo.el (יוֹאֵל "Joel" H3100U) § Saul or Shaul = "desired" 1) a Benjamite, son of Kish, and the 1st king of Israel 2) an early king of Edom and a successor of Samlah 3) a son of Simeon 4) a Levite, son of Uzziah
Usage: Occurs in 335 OT verses. KJV: Saul, Shaul. See also: Genesis 36:37; 1 Samuel 16:22; 1 Samuel 24:5.
וַ/יִּשְׁתַּ֥חוּ
shâchâh
H7812
"to bow"
Conj | V-Hithpael-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to bow down, often as a sign of respect or worship. It is used in Genesis 24:52 to describe Abraham's servant bowing down to God. The word is about showing humility and respect to someone or something.
Definition: 1) to bow down 1a) (Qal) to bow down 1b)(Hiphil) to depress (fig) 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to bow down, prostrate oneself 1c1a) before superior in homage 1c1b) before God in worship 1c1c) before false gods 1c1d) before angel
Usage: Occurs in 166 OT verses. KJV: bow (self) down, crouch, fall down (flat), humbly beseech, do (make) obeisance, do reverence, make to stoop, worship. See also: Genesis 18:2; 1 Kings 9:9; Psalms 5:8.
שָׁא֖וּל
Shâʼûwl
H7586
"Shaul"
N-proper
Shaul is a personal name meaning desired, given to several individuals in the Bible, including a Benjamite who became the first king of Israel and a Levite living during the time of the Divided Monarchy. He is mentioned in 1 Chronicles and 1 Samuel.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.6.24; son of: Uzziah (H5818H); father of: Elkanah (H0511I); also called Joel at 1Ch.6.36; Also named: yo.el (יוֹאֵל "Joel" H3100U) § Saul or Shaul = "desired" 1) a Benjamite, son of Kish, and the 1st king of Israel 2) an early king of Edom and a successor of Samlah 3) a son of Simeon 4) a Levite, son of Uzziah
Usage: Occurs in 335 OT verses. KJV: Saul, Shaul. See also: Genesis 36:37; 1 Samuel 16:22; 1 Samuel 24:5.
לַֽ/יהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
Prep | N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 15:31
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- 1 Samuel 15:31 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 15:31
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 15:31
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 15:31
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 15:31
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 15:31
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 15:31
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 15:31
Context — Saul’s Confession
29Moreover, the Glory of Israel does not lie or change His mind, for He is not a man, that He should change His mind.”
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.”
31So Samuel went back with Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD.
32Then Samuel said, “Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites.” Agag came to him cheerfully, for he thought, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.” 33But Samuel declared: “As your sword has made women childless, so your mother will be childless among women.” And Samuel hacked Agag to pieces before the LORD at Gilgal.1 Samuel 15:31 Summary
[This verse shows that even when we fail or disobey God, we can still turn to Him and worship Him, just like Saul did. As it says in Psalm 51:17, 'a broken and contrite heart You, God, will not despise'. Samuel's willingness to go back with Saul and help him worship the Lord is an example of God's mercy and love. We can learn from this verse that worship is not just about what we do, but about our heart's attitude towards God, as seen in John 4:24, where it says 'God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth'.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Samuel agree to go back with Saul after Saul's disobedience?
Samuel agreed to go back with Saul because Saul had confessed his sin and asked Samuel to honor him before the elders of his people, as seen in 1 Samuel 15:30, and also because Samuel wanted to see Saul worship the Lord, as stated in 1 Samuel 15:31.
What does it mean for Saul to worship the Lord in this context?
In this context, Saul worshiping the Lord means that he is acknowledging God's authority and submitting to His will, similar to what David did in Psalm 95:6, where he says 'Come, let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker'.
Is this act of worship by Saul a sign of true repentance?
While Saul's act of worship may seem like a step in the right direction, his actions later on, such as sparing Agag, show that his heart is not fully surrendered to the Lord, as seen in 1 Samuel 15:32-33, and as the Lord says in 1 Samuel 15:23, 'rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the evil of idolatry'
What can we learn from Samuel's actions in this verse?
We can learn from Samuel's actions that even when people fail or disobey, we should still be willing to minister to them and help them worship the Lord, as seen in 1 Samuel 15:31, and as Jesus taught in Matthew 9:12-13, where He says 'those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick'.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can worship the Lord in my daily life, just like Saul did in this verse?
- How can I balance the desire to honor and minister to others with the need to stand firm on God's principles, as Samuel did in this situation?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be rebelling against God's will, and how can I surrender those areas to Him?
- How can I ensure that my worship is not just an outward act, but a genuine expression of my heart's surrender to the Lord?
- What can I learn from Samuel's example about the importance of humility and obedience in ministry?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 15:31
So Samuel turned again after Saul,.... Though he before said he would not, 1 Samuel 15:26 yet he did, changing his mind, as he might without being chargeable with a lie; and he also might have an
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 15:31
So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the LORD. So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the LORD.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 15:31
Samuel turned again after Saul; not to worship the Lord with him, for that he did not; and therefore it is here mentioned that Saul only worshipped the Lord; but for two other reasons: first, that people might not upon pretence of this sentence of rejection immediately withdraw all respect and obedience to their sovereign; whereby they would both have sinned against God, and have been as sheep without a shepherd. Secondly, That he might rectify Saul’ s error, and execute God’ s judgment upon Agag.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 15:31
1 Samuel 15:31 So Samuel turned again after Saul; and Saul worshipped the LORD.Ver. 31. So Samuel turned again after Saul.] Both to show his respect to him as his sovereign, and to do execution upon Agag.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 15:31
(31) So Samuel turned again after Saul.—The prophet, after the repeated and pressing request of the king, consents publicly to worship the Lord in his company. There is little doubt but that the principal motive which induced Samuel on this occasion not to withdraw himself from the public thanksgiving was a desire to prevent any disaffection towards the monarchy. His known disapproval of Saul’s conduct, and his declining the king’s earnest prayer to stay, would probably have been the signal to the discontented spirits in Israel to revolt, under the pretext that such a revolt would be pleasing to the great seer. Such a revolt in those critical times would have been disastrous to the growing prosperity of the chosen people. It has been well suggested that many blessings came upon the unhappy Saul and the nation over which he ruled in answer to Samuel’s intercession on this occasion for him. The result was what might have been looked for. Saul remained in undiminished power apparently; but the will of God, as declared by His servant Samuel, was slowly, but surely, accomplished. The doom of the reigning family pronounced by the prophet on this momentous occasion was irrevocable. The story of Israel contained in this book shows how the march of events in solemn procession moved onward, every year bringing the ill-fated rebel king nearer the execution of the stern sentence which his own self-willed conduct had called down on him.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 15:31
31. So Samuel turned again] Changing his purpose in order to maintain the honour of the reigning king, for although Saul had forfeited his position as Jehovah’s chosen representative, he must still rule the nation.
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 15:31
31. Samuel turned again after Saul — He finally yielded to Saul’s pleading, but not until he had, by his stern and solemn acts and words, made on his mind deep and lasting impressions of God’s anger against him.