Here are a couple of commentaries that reflect my thoughts; from Kukis & McGee
Yehowah lamented that he made Saul king over Israel. This is an anthropopathism. We have already been told unequivocally that God is not a man, therefore he does not
nâcham (
lament or
grieve) (v. 29). And here, we have Him grieving and lamenting that he made Saul king. What an anthropopathism does is help to bring God’s actions and thoughts down to our level. He knew in eternity past what Saul would do. He knew every mistake, every action, every act of disobedience. Yet, God made Saul king over Israel because he was the man for the job at that time. There was no one better in Israel to rule Israel. However, the problem with a king, as opposed to a judge, is that they are lifetime fixtures. Good judges might judge for the majority of their lives, but they tend to relinquish their office peacefully (recall that both Eli and Samuel tried to set up their sons as judges and/or priests near the end of their lives). However, a king generally occupies that post for life and he usually leaves office by death. God knew all of this in eternity past, and Samuel knew enough principals from his knowledge of Bible doctrine to know that a king was not the best thing for Israel (which is being borne out by Saul’s lack of obedience). However, God allowed Israel to have a king, and Samuel followed suit, and King Saul, at first, appeared as though he would be a great king. And, in some areas, Saul was almost unparalleled, e.g., in the realm of bravery. Saul, despite the fact that things looked hopeless against the Philistines a chapter ago, still stood with his 600 men fearlessly, only a few miles away from the Philistine base camp. But, after being king for awhile, Saul has fallen out of the habit of obeying God completely. As king, he calls the shots. When Samuel brings him a directive from God, Saul does not necessarily set out to disobey God’s commands—it’s just as the situation unfolds, Saul seems to think that the orders can be modified to fit the situation. For this reason, he is no longer fit to be king. Therefore, God will remove him from office. To explain this in a few words, the writer here tells us that God regretted that he made Saul king.
McGee explains:
When the Bible says that God repented, it means that His actions look as though he changed His mind. He has not. God said all along that if Saul did not make good, He would remove him. Saul sinned, and so God removed him from his position as king. God still hates sin and will judge it. Saul was the choice of the people, and he failed. Yet Samuel mourned for him...Samuel loved Saul a great deal...He hated to see this man fail and turn aside. That is why his words to Saul were so strong and harsh; they came from a person who loved him. The words of Samuel were also coming from the heart of God.
My friend, God’s love will not deter Him from judging sinners. He can love them and still execute judgment. Our God is holy and righteous and just, as well as loving.
anthropopathism. We have already been told unequivocally that God is not a man, therefore he does not
nâcham (
lament or
grieve) (v. 29). And here, we have Him grieving and lamenting that he made Saul king. What an anthropopathism does is help to bring God’s actions and thoughts down to our level.
He knew in eternity past what Saul would do. He knew every mistake, every action, every act of disobedience. Yet, God made Saul king over Israel because he was the man for the job at that time. There was no one better in Israel to rule Israel. However, the problem with a king, as opposed to a judge, is that they are lifetime fixtures.
Good judges might judge for the majority of their lives, but they tend to relinquish their office peacefully (recall that both Eli and Samuel tried to set up their sons as judges and/or priests near the end of their lives). However, a king generally occupies that post for life and he usually leaves office by death. God knew all of this in eternity past, and Samuel knew enough principals from his knowledge of Bible doctrine to know that a king was not the best thing for Israel (which is being borne out by Saul’s lack of obedience). However, God allowed Israel to have a king, and Samuel followed suit, and King Saul, at first, appeared as though he would be a great king.
And, in some areas, Saul was almost unparalleled, e.g., in the realm of bravery. Saul, despite the fact that things looked hopeless against the Philistines a chapter ago, still stood with his 600 men fearlessly, only a few miles away from the Philistine base camp.
But, after being king for awhile, Saul has fallen out of the habit of obeying God completely. As king, he calls the shots. When Samuel brings him a directive from God, Saul does not necessarily set out to disobey God’s commands—it’s just as the situation unfolds, Saul seems to think that the orders can be modified to fit the situation.
For this reason, he is no longer fit to be king. Therefore, God will remove him from office. To explain this in a few words, the writer here tells us that God regretted that he made Saul king.
McGee explains:
When the Bible says that God repented, it means that His actions look as though he changed His mind. He has not. God said all along that if Saul did not make good, He would remove him. Saul sinned, and so God removed him from his position as king. God still hates sin and will judge it. Saul was the choice of the people, and he failed. Yet Samuel mourned for him...Samuel loved Saul a great deal...He hated to see this man fail and turn aside. That is why his words to Saul were so strong and harsh; they came from a person who loved him. The words of Samuel were also coming from the heart of God.
My friend, God’s love will not deter Him from judging sinners. He can love them and still execute judgment. Our God is holy and righteous and just, as well as loving.
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