1 Samuel 15:35
New International Version
Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. And the LORD regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.

New Living Translation
Samuel never went to meet with Saul again, but he mourned constantly for him. And the LORD was sorry he had ever made Saul king of Israel.

English Standard Version
And Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, but Samuel grieved over Saul. And the LORD regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.

Berean Standard Bible
And to the day of his death, Samuel never again visited Saul. Samuel mourned for Saul, and the LORD regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.

King James Bible
And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.

New King James Version
And Samuel went no more to see Saul until the day of his death. Nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul, and the LORD regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.

New American Standard Bible
And Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, though Samuel mourned for Saul. And the LORD regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.

NASB 1995
Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death; for Samuel grieved over Saul. And the LORD regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.

NASB 1977
And Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death; for Samuel grieved over Saul. And the LORD regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.

Legacy Standard Bible
So Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death; for Samuel grieved over Saul. And Yahweh regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.

Amplified Bible
Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, for Samuel grieved over Saul. And the LORD regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.

Christian Standard Bible
Even to the day of his death, Samuel never saw Saul again. Samuel mourned for Saul, and the LORD regretted he had made Saul king over Israel.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Even to the day of his death, Samuel never again visited Saul. Samuel mourned for Saul, and the LORD regretted He had made Saul king over Israel.

American Standard Version
And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death; for Samuel mourned for Saul: and Jehovah repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.

Contemporary English Version
Even though Samuel felt sad about Saul, Samuel never saw him again. The LORD was sorry he had made Saul the king of Israel.

English Revised Version
And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death; for Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Samuel didn't see Saul again before he died, though Samuel mourned over Saul. And the LORD regretted that he had made Saul king of Israel.

Good News Translation
As long as Samuel lived, he never again saw the king; but he grieved over him. The LORD was sorry that he had made Saul king of Israel.

International Standard Version
Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, but Samuel grieved over Saul, and the LORD regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.

Majority Standard Bible
And to the day of his death, Samuel never again visited Saul. Samuel mourned for Saul, and the LORD regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.

NET Bible
Until the day he died Samuel did not see Saul again. Samuel did, however, mourn for Saul, but the LORD regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.

New Heart English Bible
And Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death; for Samuel mourned for Saul. And the LORD grieved that he had made Saul king over Israel.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.

World English Bible
Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death, but Samuel mourned for Saul. Yahweh grieved that he had made Saul king over Israel.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Samuel has not added to see Saul until the day of his death, for Samuel mourned for Saul, and YHWH regretted that He had caused Saul to reign over Israel.

Young's Literal Translation
And Samuel hath not added to see Saul till the day of his death, for Samuel mourned for Saul, and Jehovah repented that He had caused Saul to reign over Israel.

Smith's Literal Translation
And Samuel will not add to see Saul, even to the day of his death: for Samuel mourned for Saul: and Jehovah lamented that he made Saul king over Israel.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Samuel saw Saul no more till the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul, because the Lord repented that he had made him king over Israel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Samuel did not see Saul any more, until the day of his death. Yet truly, Samuel mourned for Saul, because the Lord regretted that he had appointed him as king over Israel.

New American Bible
Never again, as long as he lived, did Samuel see Saul. Yet he grieved over Saul, because the LORD repented that he had made him king of Israel.

New Revised Standard Version
Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, but Samuel grieved over Saul. And the LORD was sorry that he had made Saul king over Israel.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Samuel saw Saul no more until the day of his death; nevertheless, Samuel grieved for Saul; and the LORD regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Shemueil did not see Shaul again until the day that he died, because Shemueil mourned for Shaul. And LORD JEHOVAH was moved with regret because he had made Shaul King over Israel
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Samuel never beheld Saul again until the day of his death; for Samuel mourned for Saul; and the LORD repented that He had made Saul king over Israel.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Samuel did not see Saul again till the day of his death, for Samuel mourned after Saul, and the Lord repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Saul's Confession
34Then Samuel went to Ramah, but Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul. 35And to the day of his death, Samuel never again visited Saul. Samuel mourned for Saul, and the LORD regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.

Cross References
1 Samuel 16:1
Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.”

1 Samuel 13:13-14
“You have acted foolishly,” Samuel declared. “You have not kept the command that the LORD your God gave you; if you had, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. / But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler over His people, because you have not kept the command of the LORD.”

1 Samuel 28:17-18
He has done exactly what He spoke through me: The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor David. / Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out His burning anger against Amalek, the LORD has done this to you today.

2 Samuel 7:15
But My loving devotion will never be removed from him as I removed it from Saul, whom I removed from before you.

Hosea 13:11
So in My anger I gave you a king, and in My wrath I took him away.

Acts 13:21-22
Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. / After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’

1 Kings 15:29-30
As soon as Baasha became king, he struck down the entire household of Jeroboam. He did not leave to Jeroboam anyone who breathed, but destroyed them all according to the word that the LORD had spoken through His servant Ahijah the Shilonite, / because of the sins Jeroboam had committed and had caused Israel to commit, and because he had provoked the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger.

1 Chronicles 10:13-14
So Saul died for his unfaithfulness to the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, / and he failed to inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

2 Kings 17:20
So the LORD rejected all the descendants of Israel. He afflicted them and delivered them into the hands of plunderers, until He had banished them from His presence.

Jeremiah 15:1
Then the LORD said to me: “Even if Moses and Samuel should stand before Me, My heart would not go out to this people. Send them from My presence, and let them go!

Psalm 89:20-21
I have found My servant David; with My sacred oil I have anointed him. / My hand will sustain him; surely My arm will strengthen him.

Isaiah 1:11-15
“What good to Me is your multitude of sacrifices?” says the LORD. “I am full from the burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed cattle; I take no delight in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. / When you come to appear before Me, who has required this of you—this trampling of My courts? / Bring your worthless offerings no more; your incense is detestable to Me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot endure iniquity in a solemn assembly. ...

Matthew 7:21-23
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. / Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ / Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’

Romans 11:29
For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable.

Hebrews 10:38-39
But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him.” / But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.


Treasury of Scripture

And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.

Samuel

1 Samuel 19:24
And he stripped off his clothes also, and prophesied before Samuel in like manner, and lay down naked all that day and all that night. Wherefore they say, Is Saul also among the prophets?

Samuel mourned

1 Samuel 15:11
It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.

1 Samuel 16:1
And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.

Psalm 119:136,158
Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law…

repented

1 Samuel 15:11
It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.

Genesis 6:6
And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

Jump to Previous
Added Beheld Caused Death Died Israel Longer Mourned Nevertheless Pleasure Regretted Reign Repented Samuel Saul Sorrowing
Jump to Next
Added Beheld Caused Death Died Israel Longer Mourned Nevertheless Pleasure Regretted Reign Repented Samuel Saul Sorrowing
1 Samuel 15
1. Samuel sends Saul to destroy Amalek
6. Saul favors the Kenites
7. He spares Agag and the best of the spoil
10. Samuel denounces unto Saul God's rejection of him for his disobedience
24. Saul's humiliation
32. Samuel kills Agag
34. Samuel and Saul part














Even to the day of his death
This phrase emphasizes the finality and permanence of the separation between Samuel and Saul. In the Hebrew context, the word for "death" (מוֹת, "moth") signifies not just physical death but a complete end to a relationship or era. Samuel's decision not to see Saul again underscores the seriousness of Saul's disobedience and the irrevocable nature of God's judgment. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's commands.

Samuel did not see Saul again
The Hebrew verb for "see" (רָאָה, "ra'ah") implies more than just physical sight; it encompasses understanding, approval, and relationship. Samuel's choice not to see Saul again indicates a severance of prophetic guidance and divine favor. This separation highlights the gravity of Saul's failure to obey God's command and the resulting spiritual isolation.

though Samuel mourned for him
The word "mourned" (אָבַל, "aval") in Hebrew conveys deep sorrow and lamentation. Samuel's mourning reflects his compassion and the personal loss he feels for Saul, despite Saul's disobedience. It illustrates the heart of a true prophet who grieves over the spiritual downfall of a leader and the impact on the nation. This mourning is not just for Saul as an individual but for the missed potential and the consequences for Israel.

And the LORD regretted
The term "regretted" (נָחַם, "nacham") is complex in Hebrew, often translated as "repented" or "was sorry." It does not imply a change in God's nature or plan but rather expresses God's sorrow over human choices that lead to negative outcomes. This anthropopathic expression helps us understand God's relational nature and His desire for humanity to walk in obedience and blessing.

that He had made Saul king over Israel
The phrase underscores the divine initiative in Saul's kingship. The Hebrew word for "made" (מָלַךְ, "malak") indicates God's sovereign choice and authority in appointing leaders. Saul's failure as king is not a reflection of God's mistake but of human free will and the consequences of disobedience. This serves as a reminder of the importance of aligning leadership with God's will and the potential for regret when leaders stray from divine guidance.

(35) Came no more to see Saul . . .--Once more the old friends met together in life (see 1Samuel 19:24), but the interview on this occasion was not of Samuel's seeking; nor does it appear then that any communication passed between them. When next the seer and the king spoke together, the seer belonged to another and a different world. "After this, Samuel came no more to him, bearing messages and commands, and giving him counsel and guidance from God. Saul's kingship, though still one de facto, yet from this time lost its theocratic relation. God's ambassador was recalled from him; the intercourse of the God of Israel with Saul through His Spirit came to an end, because Saul, sinking step by step away from God, had, by continued disobedience and increasing impenitence, given up communion with God."--Lange.

Nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul.--The old seer, who had known Saul from the days of his splendid youthful promise, had indeed good reason to mourn. He, no doubt, loved him much, and regarded him as his own adopted child. On Saul he had built up all his hopes for the future of the Israel he loved so well. There was besides so much that was great and noble in the character of that first Hebrew king: he was the bravest of the brave, a tried and skilful general, possessed too of many of those high gifts which belong to men like Saul and David, and which enable them to be the saviours and regenerators of their country. This first great king only lacked one thing: true faith in that God who loved Israel with a peculiar love. Saul through his chequered career never really leaned on the Arm of the Mighty One of Jacob. No doubt, too, Samuel already perceived in the brilliant but headstrong king the first beginning of that terrible malady which over-shadowed the meridian and clouded the latter years of Saul--signs of that dread visitant, insanity, were, no doubt, visible to Samuel when the old man began to mourn for Saul.

Verse 35. - Samuel came no more to see Saul. The friendly intercourse which had previously existed was now broken off, and though they met again (1 Samuel 19:24), it was neither in an amicable manner, nor was their interview of Samuel's seeking. But the words have a higher meaning than the mere seeing or meeting one with the other. They involve the cessation of that relation in which Samuel and Saul had previously stood to one another as respectively the prophet and king of the same Jehovah Saul was no longer the representative of Jehovah, and consequently Samuel no more came to him, bearing messages and commands, and giving him counsel and guidance from God. Nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul. There was so much in him that was good and admirable, and he had wrought such brave services in delivering Israel from its many enemies, that Samuel loved him. Now he saw all his high qualities perverted, the man fallen, his powers of usefulness destroyed. Already, too, there was probably the beginning of that darkening of Saul's intellect which filled so many of his future years with melancholy, bursting out from time to time into fits of madness. All this would end in the expulsion of himself and his dynasty from the throne, for Jehovah repented that he had made Saul king over Israel. See on ver. 11



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
And to
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

the day
י֣וֹם (yō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3117: A day

of his death,
מוֹת֔וֹ (mō·w·ṯōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4194: Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin

Samuel
שְׁמוּאֵ֜ל (šə·mū·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8050: Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israel

never
וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

again
יָסַ֨ף (yā·sap̄)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3254: To add, augment

visited
לִרְא֤וֹת (lir·’ō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7200: To see

Saul.
שָׁאוּל֙ (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

Samuel
שְׁמוּאֵ֖ל (šə·mū·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8050: Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israel

mourned
הִתְאַבֵּ֥ל (hiṯ·’ab·bêl)
Verb - Hitpael - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 56: To bewail

for
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Saul,
שָׁא֑וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

and the LORD
וַיהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

regretted
נִחָ֔ם (ni·ḥām)
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5162: To sigh, breathe strongly, to be sorry, to pity, console, rue, to avenge

He had made Saul
שָׁא֖וּל (šā·’ūl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586: Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites

king
הִמְלִ֥יךְ (him·lîḵ)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4427: To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel

over
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Israel.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc


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OT History: 1 Samuel 15:35 Samuel came no more to see Saul (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 15:34
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