1 Samuel 15:24
New International Version
Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the LORD’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them.

New Living Translation
Then Saul admitted to Samuel, “Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the LORD’s command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Then 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.

New American Standard Bible
Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have violated the command of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and listened to their voice.

NASB 1995
Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; I have indeed transgressed the command of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and listened to their voice.

NASB 1977
Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; I have indeed transgressed the command of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and listened to their voice.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; I have indeed trespassed against the command of Yahweh and your words because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.

Amplified Bible
Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; for I have transgressed the command of the LORD and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.

Christian Standard Bible
Saul answered Samuel, “I have sinned. I have transgressed the LORD’s command and your words. Because I was afraid of the people, I obeyed them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Saul answered Samuel, “I have sinned. I have transgressed the LORD’s command and your words. Because I was afraid of the people, I obeyed them.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
"I have sinned," Saul admitted. "I disobeyed both you and the LORD. I was afraid of the army, and I listened to them instead.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then Saul told Samuel, "I have sinned by not following the LORD's command or your instructions. I was afraid of the people and listened to them.

Good News Translation
"Yes, I have sinned," Saul replied. "I disobeyed the LORD's command and your instructions. I was afraid of my men and did what they wanted.

International Standard Version
"I've sinned," Saul replied to Samuel. "I've broken the LORD's command and your word, because I was afraid of the people and listened to them.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned, for I have disobeyed what the LORD commanded and what you said as well. For I was afraid of the army, and I followed their wishes.

New Heart English Bible
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.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Saul said to 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.

World English Bible
Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; for I have transgressed the commandment of Yahweh and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Saul says to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I passed over the command of YHWH, and your words; because I have feared the people, I also listen to their voice;

Young's Literal Translation
And Saul saith unto Samuel, 'I have sinned, for I passed over the command of Jehovah, and thy words; because I have feared the people, I also hearken to their voice;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Saul will say to Samuel, I sinned: for I passed by the mouth of Jehovah, and thy words: for I feared the people and I will hear to their voice.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Saul said to Samuel: I have sinned because I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words, fearing the people, and obeying their voice.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Saul said to Samuel: “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the word of the Lord, and your words, by fearing the people and obeying their voice.

New American Bible
Saul admitted to Samuel: “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the command of the LORD and your instructions. I feared the people and obeyed them.

New Revised Standard Version
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.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And 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.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Shaul said to Shemueil: “I have sinned, for I have passed over the word of the mouth of LORD JEHOVAH and over your words, because I was afraid of the people and I listened to their voice!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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 hearkened to their voice.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Saul said to Samuel, I have sinned, in that I have transgressed the word of the Lord and thy direction; for I feared the people, and I hearkened to their voice.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Saul's Confession
24Then 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. 25Now therefore, please forgive my sin and return with me so I can worship the LORD.”…

Cross References
Exodus 9:27
Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron. “This time I have sinned,” he said. “The LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.

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.”

Joshua 7:20
“It is true,” Achan replied, “I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I did:

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.

1 Kings 21:20
When Elijah arrived, Ahab said to him, “So you have found me out, my enemy.” He replied, “I have found you out because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the LORD.

2 Kings 17:7
All this happened because the people of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They had worshiped other gods

Nehemiah 9:33
You are just in all that has befallen us, because You have acted faithfully, while we have acted wickedly.

Psalm 51:4
Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be proved right when You speak and blameless when You judge.

Isaiah 6:5
Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.”

Jeremiah 2:19
Your own evil will discipline you; your own apostasies will reprimand you. Consider and realize how evil and bitter it is for you to forsake the LORD your God and to have no fear of Me,” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts.

Matthew 27:4
“I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.”

Luke 15:18-19
I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. / I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’

John 19:4
Once again Pilate came out and said to the Jews, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.”

Acts 3:14
You rejected the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.

Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,


Treasury of Scripture

And 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.

I have sinned

1 Samuel 15:30
Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God.

Exodus 9:27
And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.

Exodus 10:16
Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you.

I feared

1 Samuel 15:9
But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.

Exodus 23:2
Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:

Job 31:34
Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, and went not out of the door?

obeyed

1 Samuel 2:29
Wherefore kick ye at my sacrifice and at mine offering, which I have commanded in my habitation; and honourest thy sons above me, to make yourselves fat with the chiefest of all the offerings of Israel my people?

Genesis 3:12,17
And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat…

Jeremiah 38:5
Then Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand: for the king is not he that can do any thing against you.

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Afraid Command Commandment Hearken Hearkened Indeed Instructions Lord's Obeyed Passed Samuel Saul Sin Sinned Transgressed Violated Voice Words
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Afraid Command Commandment Hearken Hearkened Indeed Instructions Lord's Obeyed Passed Samuel Saul Sin Sinned Transgressed Violated Voice Words
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














Then Saul said to Samuel, "I have sinned;"
Saul's admission of sin is significant as it reflects a moment of self-awareness and acknowledgment of wrongdoing. In the biblical context, confessing sin is a crucial step toward repentance and restoration with God. This phrase echoes the confessions of other biblical figures, such as David in Psalm 51, who also recognized their sins before God. Saul's confession, however, lacks the depth of genuine repentance seen in David's life.

I have transgressed the LORD’s commandment and your instructions,
Saul's transgression refers to his failure to completely destroy the Amalekites and their possessions as commanded by God through Samuel (1 Samuel 15:3). This disobedience highlights the importance of following divine instructions precisely, as partial obedience is considered disobedience in the biblical narrative. The reference to both the LORD's commandment and Samuel's instructions underscores the role of prophets as God's mouthpieces, whose words carry divine authority.

because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.
Saul's fear of the people reveals a critical flaw in his leadership: prioritizing human approval over divine command. This fear contrasts with the biblical ideal of fearing God above all else, as seen in Proverbs 29:25, which warns against the snare of fearing man. Saul's decision to obey the people's voice rather than God's commandment demonstrates a failure to lead with integrity and faithfulness, a theme that recurs throughout his reign. This moment foreshadows the eventual loss of his kingdom, as God seeks leaders who prioritize His will above all.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Saul
The first king of Israel, anointed by the prophet Samuel. In this passage, Saul admits his sin of disobedience to God's command.

2. Samuel
A prophet and judge of Israel who anointed Saul as king. He serves as God's messenger, delivering His commands to Saul.

3. The LORD's Commandment
Refers to God's specific instructions to Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites and all they possessed, which Saul failed to fully obey.

4. The People
The Israelites whom Saul feared, leading him to disobey God's command in favor of their desires.

5. Amalekites
A people whom God commanded Saul to destroy completely as a form of divine judgment for their past actions against Israel.
Teaching Points
The Danger of People-Pleasing
Saul's fear of the people's opinion led him to disobey God. We must prioritize God's commands over human approval.

The Importance of Complete Obedience
Partial obedience is still disobedience. Saul's failure to fully carry out God's command serves as a warning to us.

Acknowledging Sin is Not Enough
While Saul admitted his sin, true repentance involves a change of heart and action, not just words.

Leadership Accountability
Leaders are held to a high standard of obedience to God. Saul's failure reminds us of the responsibility that comes with leadership.

The Consequences of Disobedience
Saul's kingdom was ultimately rejected by God due to his disobedience, illustrating the serious consequences of not following God's commands.(24) I have sinned.--The grave condemnation of the prophet appalled the king. The grounds of the Divine rejection evidently sank deep into Saul's heart. Such a thought as that, in the eyes of the Invisible and Eternal, he ranked with the idolators and heathen sinners around, was, even for one sunk so low as Saul, terrible.

Because I feared the people.--He, with stammering lips, while deprecating the Divine sentence, still seeks to justify himself; but all that he could allege in excuse only more plainly marked out his unfitness for his high post. He could, after all, only plead that he loved the praise of men more than the approval of his God; that he preferred--as so many of earth's great ones have since done--the sweets of transient popular applause to the solitary consciousness that he was a faithful servant of the Highest.

Verse 24. - The words of Samuel struck Saul with terror. The same authority which had first given him the kingdom now withdraws it from him, and pronounces his offence as equal in God's sight to crimes which Saul himself held in great abhorrence. He humbles himself, therefore, before Samuel, acknowledges his sin, and frankly confesses that the cause of it had been his unwillingness to act in a manner contrary to the wishes of the people; and we must fairly conclude that the sparing of the spoil had been the people's doing. But was it not the king's duty to make the people obedient to Jehovah's voice? As the theocratic king, he was Jehovah's minister, and in preferring popularity to duty he showed himself unworthy of his position. Nor can we suppose that his confession of sin arose from penitence. It was the result simply of vexation at having his victory crossed by reproaches and disapproval from the only power capable of holding him in check. It seems, too, as if it were Samuel whom he feared more than Jehovah; for he speaks of thy words, and asks Samuel to pardon his sin, and to grant him the favour of his public presence with him at the sacrifice which was about to be celebrated in honour of their triumph.

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

said
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

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

“I have sinned;
חָטָ֔אתִי (ḥā·ṭā·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2398: To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn

I have transgressed
עָבַ֥רְתִּי (‘ā·ḇar·tî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

the LORD’s
יְהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

commandment
פִּֽי־ (pî-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

and your instructions,
דְּבָרֶ֑יךָ (də·ḇā·re·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

because
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I feared
יָרֵ֙אתִי֙ (yā·rê·ṯî)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten

the people
הָעָ֔ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

and obeyed
וָאֶשְׁמַ֖ע (wā·’eš·ma‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

their voice.
בְּקוֹלָֽם׃ (bə·qō·w·lām)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound


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OT History: 1 Samuel 15:24 Saul said to Samuel I have sinned (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 15:23
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