1 Samuel 15:23
1 Samuel 15:23 in Multiple Translations
For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim. Because thou hast rejected the word of Jehovah, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
For to go against his orders is like the sin of those who make use of secret arts, and pride is like giving worship to images. Because you have put away from you the word of the Lord, he has put you from your place as king.
Rebellion is as bad as witchcraft, and arrogance is as bad as the sin of idolatry. Because you have rejected the Lord's commands, he has rejected you as king.”
For rebellion is as the sinne of withcraft, and transgression is wickednesse and idolatrie. Because thou hast cast away the worde of the Lord, therefore hee hath cast away thee from being King.
for a sin of divination [is] rebellion, and iniquity and teraphim [is] stubbornness; because thou hast rejected the word of Jehovah, He also doth reject thee from [being] king.'
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim. Because you have rejected the LORD’s word, he has also rejected you from being king.”
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
Because it is like the sin of witchcraft, to rebel: and like the crime of idolatry, to refuse to obey. Forasmuch therefore as thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, the Lord hath also rejected thee from being king.
To rebel against God is as sinful as doing sorcery/black magic, and being stubborn is as sinful as worshiping idols. So, because you disobeyed what Yahweh told you to do, he has declared that you will no longer be king.”
You know, if somebody doesn’t listen to God, that person truly does wrong. If somebody prays to bad spirits, it’s just the same. If somebody is proud, God is not happy with that person. If somebody shows respect to statues made of wood and stone, that’s just the same. And you didn’t listen to God, so he turned away from you. You did wrong things, so God says, ‘You can’t be the big boss any more.’”
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 15:23
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 15:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּ֤י
חַטַּאת
קֶ֨סֶם֙
מֶ֔רִי
וְ/אָ֥וֶן
וּ/תְרָפִ֖ים
הַפְצַ֑ר
יַ֗עַן
מָאַ֨סְתָּ֙
אֶת
דְּבַ֣ר
יְהוָ֔ה
וַ/יִּמְאָסְ/ךָ֖
מִ/מֶּֽלֶךְ
כִּ֤י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
חַטַּאת
chaṭṭâʼâh
H2403
sin
N-fs
קֶ֨סֶם֙
qeçem
H7081
divination
N-ms
מֶ֔רִי
mᵉrîy
H4805
rebellion
N-ms
וְ/אָ֥וֶן
ʼâven
H205
evil
Conj | N-ms
וּ/תְרָפִ֖ים
tᵉrâphîym
H8655
teraphim
Conj | N-mp
הַפְצַ֑ר
pâtsar
H6484
to press
V-Hiphil-Ptc
יַ֗עַן
yaʻan
H3282
because
Conj
מָאַ֨סְתָּ֙
mâʼaç
H3988
to reject
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
דְּבַ֣ר
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
N-ms
יְהוָ֔ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
וַ/יִּמְאָסְ/ךָ֖
mâʼaç
H3988
to reject
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
מִ/מֶּֽלֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
Prep | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 15:23
כִּ֤י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
חַטַּאת
chaṭṭâʼâh
H2403
"sin"
N-fs
This word describes sin, guilt, or punishment for sin, and also the sacrifice or purification made to atone for it. It is used in the Bible to describe the consequences and solutions for sin. The KJV translates it as 'punishment' or 'sin'.
Definition: sin, sinful thing
Usage: Occurs in 270 OT verses. KJV: punishment (of sin), purifying(-fication for sin), sin(-ner, offering). See also: Genesis 4:7; Numbers 12:11; Psalms 25:7.
קֶ֨סֶם֙
qeçem
H7081
"divination"
N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to the act of seeking guidance through witchcraft or divination, which was common among false prophets. It can also mean a reward or payment for such services. The Bible warns against these practices in Deuteronomy and other books.
Definition: 1) divination, witchcraft 1a) of the nations, Balaam 1b) of false prophets 1c) in a good sense (king's lips as oracles)
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: (reward of) divination, divine sentence, witchcraft. See also: Numbers 22:7; Proverbs 16:10; Jeremiah 14:14.
מֶ֔רִי
mᵉrîy
H4805
"rebellion"
N-ms
Rebellion or bitterness, often used to describe someone who is against authority. It can also mean being rebellious or having a bitter attitude.
Definition: 1) rebellion 1a) rebellion 1b) rebellious (in construct)
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: bitter, (most) rebel(-lion, -lious). See also: Numbers 17:25; Ezekiel 2:8; Proverbs 17:11.
וְ/אָ֥וֶן
ʼâven
H205
"evil"
Conj | N-ms
This word refers to evil, wickedness, or trouble, often describing idolatry or iniquity, and is used in various KJV translations to convey a sense of wrongdoing.
Definition: 1) trouble, wickedness, sorrow 1a) trouble, sorrow 1b) idolatry 1c) trouble of iniquity, wickedness Also means: a.ven (אָ֫וֶן ": trouble" H0205H)
Usage: Occurs in 79 OT verses. KJV: affliction, evil, false, idol, iniquity, mischief, mourners(-ing), naught, sorrow, unjust, unrighteous, vain, vanity, wicked(-ness). Compare H369 (אַיִן). See also: Numbers 23:21; Psalms 94:23; Psalms 5:6.
וּ/תְרָפִ֖ים
tᵉrâphîym
H8655
"teraphim"
Conj | N-mp
Teraphim were idols or images used in worship, often in a household shrine. This Hebrew word refers to a family idol, and is used in the Bible to describe idolatry or false worship. The KJV translates it as idols or images.
Definition: § 1) idolatry, idols, image(s), teraphim, family idol 1a) a kind of idol used in household shrine or worship
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: idols(-atry), images, teraphim. See also: Genesis 31:19; Judges 18:20; Zechariah 10:2.
הַפְצַ֑ר
pâtsar
H6484
"to press"
V-Hiphil-Ptc
This verb means to press or push, and can also imply being stubborn or arrogant. It is used in different contexts, such as pushing or pressing something, or displaying insolence. The KJV translates it as press, urge, or stubbornness.
Definition: 1) to press, push 1a) (Qal) to push, press 1b) (Hiphil) be insolent, display pushing (arrogance, presumption)
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: press, urge, stubbornness. See also: Genesis 19:3; Judges 19:7; 2 Kings 5:16.
יַ֗עַן
yaʻan
H3282
"because"
Conj
This Hebrew word means because or therefore, and is used to show the reason or cause of something, like in a sentence explaining why something happened. It is often translated as because or for in the KJV Bible. This word helps us understand the motivations behind actions.
Definition: conj 1) because, therefore, because that, on account of prep 2) because of, on account of 3) why (with interrogative pron)
Usage: Occurs in 94 OT verses. KJV: because (that), forasmuch ([phrase] as), seeing then, [phrase] that, [phrase] wheras, [phrase] why. See also: Genesis 22:16; Jeremiah 25:8; Psalms 109:16.
מָאַ֨סְתָּ֙
mâʼaç
H3988
"to reject"
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
To spurn or reject something is what this Hebrew word means. In Genesis 37:35, it is used to describe how Jacob felt when his sons told him Joseph had died.
Definition: 1) to reject, despise, refuse 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to reject, refuse 1a2) to despise 1b) (Niphal) to be rejected
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: abhor, cast away (off), contemn, despise, disdain, (become) loathe(some), melt away, refuse, reject, reprobate, [idiom] utterly, vile person. See also: Leviticus 26:15; Psalms 106:24; Psalms 15:4.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
דְּבַ֣ר
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
N-ms
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
יְהוָ֔ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
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.
וַ/יִּמְאָסְ/ךָ֖
mâʼaç
H3988
"to reject"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
To spurn or reject something is what this Hebrew word means. In Genesis 37:35, it is used to describe how Jacob felt when his sons told him Joseph had died.
Definition: 1) to reject, despise, refuse 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to reject, refuse 1a2) to despise 1b) (Niphal) to be rejected
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: abhor, cast away (off), contemn, despise, disdain, (become) loathe(some), melt away, refuse, reject, reprobate, [idiom] utterly, vile person. See also: Leviticus 26:15; Psalms 106:24; Psalms 15:4.
מִ/מֶּֽלֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
Prep | N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 15:23
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Samuel 15:23 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 15:23
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 15:23
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 15:23
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 15:23
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 15:23
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 15:23
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 15:23
- Barnes' Notes on 1 Samuel 15:23
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 15:23
- Sermons on 1 Samuel 15:23
Context — Samuel Denounces Saul
21The troops took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of the things devoted to destruction, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal.”
22But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams.
23For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”
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
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 28:16 | Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. You will die this year because you have preached rebellion against the LORD.’” |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 13:14 | 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.” |
| 3 | Leviticus 20:6 | Whoever turns to mediums or spiritists to prostitute himself with them, I will also set My face against that person and cut him off from his people. |
| 4 | Galatians 5:20 | idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, |
| 5 | Deuteronomy 18:10–11 | Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. |
| 6 | Jeremiah 29:32 | this is what the LORD says: ‘I will surely punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite and his descendants. He will have no one left among this people, nor will he see the good that I will bring to My people, declares the LORD, for he has preached rebellion against the LORD.’” |
| 7 | 2 Corinthians 6:16 | What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” |
| 8 | Joshua 22:16–19 | “This is what the whole congregation of the LORD says: ‘What is this breach of faith you have committed today against the God of Israel by turning away from the LORD and building for yourselves an altar, that you might rebel against the LORD this day? Was not the sin of Peor enough for us, from which we have not cleansed ourselves to this day? It even brought a plague upon the congregation of the LORD. And now, would you turn away from the LORD? If you rebel today against the LORD, tomorrow He will be angry with the whole congregation of Israel. If indeed the land of your inheritance is unclean, then cross over to the land of the LORD’s possession, where the LORD’s tabernacle stands, and take possession of it among us. But do not rebel against the LORD or against us by building for yourselves an altar other than the altar of the LORD our God. |
| 9 | Exodus 22:18 | You must not allow a sorceress to live. |
| 10 | Ezekiel 2:5–8 | And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them. But you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns surround you, and you dwell among scorpions. Do not be afraid of their words or dismayed by their presence, though they are a rebellious house. But speak My words to them, whether they listen or refuse to listen, for they are rebellious. And you, son of man, listen to what I tell you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I give you.” |
1 Samuel 15:23 Summary
[This verse teaches us that disobeying God's commands is a serious offense, comparable to the sin of divination or the wickedness of idolatry, as it involves rejecting God's authority and guidance in our lives. By rejecting God's Word, we risk being rejected by Him, just like Saul in this story. As we read in Psalm 119:105, God's Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, and obeying it is essential to living a life that pleases Him. By prioritizing obedience to God's voice, we can avoid the pitfalls of rebellion and arrogance, and instead, walk in humility and surrender to His will, as seen in Micah 6:8.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sin of divination mentioned in 1 Samuel 15:23?
The sin of divination refers to the practice of seeking guidance or knowledge from sources other than God, such as mediums or fortune tellers, which is forbidden in Deuteronomy 18:10-12 and considered a form of rebellion against God.
How does arrogance relate to the wickedness of idolatry in this verse?
According to 1 Samuel 15:23, arrogance is comparable to the wickedness of idolatry because it involves elevating oneself above God and His Word, much like idolatry involves worshiping something or someone other than the one true God, as seen in Exodus 20:3-5.
What does it mean for God to reject someone as king, as mentioned in this verse?
When God rejects someone as king, as in the case of Saul in 1 Samuel 15:23, it means that He is removing His divine appointment and blessing from that person's leadership, often due to their disobedience or rebellion, as seen in 1 Samuel 13:14 and Psalm 89:20-22.
How does this verse relate to the concept of obedience to God's Word?
This verse emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's Word, as seen in 1 Samuel 15:22, where Samuel declares that obedience is better than sacrifice, highlighting that God values our obedience and submission to His will above our external actions or rituals, as also seen in Jeremiah 7:23 and Matthew 22:37-40.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I may be rebelling against God's Word in my own life, and how can I surrender to His will?
- How do I balance humility and confidence in my leadership or daily life, avoiding the arrogance that is compared to idolatry in this verse?
- In what ways can I prioritize obedience to God's voice and commands, making it a central part of my relationship with Him, as emphasized in 1 Samuel 15:22?
- What are some potential consequences of rejecting God's Word, as seen in the example of Saul in this verse, and how can I avoid a similar fate?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 15:23
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft,.... Or divination (e), in whatsoever way it was exercised; for there were various sorts of it among the Heathens, and all condemned by the law of God, Deuteronomy 18:10.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 15:23
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 15:23
Rebellion, i.e. disobedience to God’ s express precept, which was Saul’ s case. Is as the sin of witchcraft; is, though not so great, yet as inexcusable and impudent a sin as witchcraft; as plainly condemned, and as certainly destructive and damnable. Stubbornness; either wilful and presumptuous sin, whereby a man violently breaks loose from God’ s command, and resists his authority; or rather, perseverance or contumacy in sin, justifying it, and pleading for it, which was Saul’ s present crime. Is as iniquity and idolatry, or, the iniquity of idolatry; this being an hendiadis; as judgment and justice, , is put for the judgment of justice, or just judgment. Or, idolatry, even the teraphim, which is here mentioned as one of the worst kinds of idolatry. Hath also rejected thee from being king, i.e. hath pronounced the sentence of rejection; for that he was not actually rejected or deposed by God plainly appears, because not only the people, but even David, after this, owned him as king; and Samuel, at Saul’ s desire, did honour him, i.e. own him as king, before the people, .
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 15:23
1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion [is as] the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness [is as] iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from [being] king.Ver. 23. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.] Because it dethroneth God, as it were, and setteth up self in his place. For as the covetous man’ s god is his gold, the glutton’ s his belly, the ambitionist’ s honour; so the obstinate sinner’ s god is his own reason and will, which alone he serveth, seeketh, and setteth up for his chiefest good. It is his pleasure, his profit, and his preferment, that is every wicked man’ s trinity: and his carnal self that is these in unity. What wonder then that God so hateth such? He cannot satisfy himself in saying what he will do to them: but is absolute in threatening, to show that he will be resolute in punishing. See the like, Isaiah 22:12-14 Ezekiel 24:13-14.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 15:23
(23) For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.—Witchcraft, more literally soothsaying or divination, was a sin constantly held up to reprobation in the Old Testament. It was the greatest of all the dangers to which Israel was exposed, and was in fact a tampering with the idol-worship of the surrounding nations. Impurity, and an utter lack of all the loftier principles of morality which the one true God and His chosen servants would impress on the peoples of the East, characterised the various systems of idol-worship then current in Syria and the adjacent countries. And Samuel here, in this solemn inspired saying, briefly gives the grounds of the Lord’s rejection of His Anointed: “Rebellion,” or conscious disobedience to the express commands of the Eternal, in the case of Saul, God’s chosen king, was nothing else than the deadly sin of idol-worship, for it set aside the true Master of Israel, and virtually acknowledged another. The next sentence still more emphatically expresses the same thought: “Stubbornness,” or “intractableness,” is in the eyes of the pure God the same thing as worshipping idols and teraphim. The Hebrew word aven, rendered iniquity, literally signifies “nothingness;” it is a word used in the late prophets for an idol (Hosea 10:8; Isaiah 66:3). The word in the original translated in the English Version “idolatry,” is teraphim. Teraphim were apparently small household gods or idols, venerated as the arbiters of good and evil fortune. In Roman life we find similar idols under the name of “Lares.” Teraphim is derived from an unused root, taraph, signifying “to live comfortably;” Arabic, tarafa: compare the Sanscrit trip, and the Greek τρέΦειν. These idols appear to have been small human figures of various sizes.
The image in 1 Samuel 19:13 was probably nearly life-size. These teraphim were made generally of silver or of wood. It has been suggested that the teraphim which Rachel stole were images of her ancestors. (See Note on Genesis 31:19, and Mr. Whitelaw’s comment on ib. in the Pulpit Commentary.)
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 15:23
Verse 23. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.] This is no translation of those difficult words, כי חטאת קסם מרי ואון ותרפים הפצר ki chattath kesem meri veaven utheraphim haphtsar. It appears to me that the three nouns which occur first in the text refer each to the three last in order. Thus, חטאת chattath, TRANSGRESSION, refers to און aven, INIQUITY, which is the principle whence transgression springs. קסם kesem, DIVINATION, refers to תרפים teraphim, consecrated images or telesms, vulgarly talismans, used in incantations. And מרי meri, REBELLION, refers evidently to הפצר haphstar, STUBBORNNESS, whence rebellion springs. The meaning therefore of this difficult place may be the following: As transgression comes from iniquity, divination from teraphim, and rebellion from stubbornness, so, because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king. All the versions are different.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 15:23
23. rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, &c.] Opposition to the will of God is as bad as divination by the help of evil spirits, which is tantamount to apostasy from God: obstinate resistance to Him is no better than worshipping idols (vanity or emptiness) and images (teraphim: see note on 1 Samuel 19:13). Disobedience is in fact idolatry, because it elevates self-will into a god. There seems to be an allusion to Saul’s zeal in abolishing the practice of witchcraft (1 Samuel 28:3). Samuel charges him with being not less guilty than those whom he had been so eager to condemn.
Barnes' Notes on 1 Samuel 15:23
The meaning is “Rebellion is as bad as the sin of divination, and stubbornness is as bad as worshipping false gods (iniquity), and teraphim (idolatry).”
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 15:23
23. For rebellion… the sin of witchcraft — This gives the sense, but it would be as well to transpose these words and follow the order of the Hebrew, thus: For the sin of witchcraft is rebellion, and
Sermons on 1 Samuel 15:23
| Sermon | Description | |
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Prone to Wander - Lord I Feel It by Shane Idleman | This sermon addresses the theme of being prone to wander, emphasizing the tendency to stray from God and the importance of returning to Him. It highlights the impact of wandering o |
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Four Lessons From the Disciples by Shane Idleman | This sermon delves into four key lessons from the disciples, focusing on the importance of self-examination, humility, perseverance, and addressing rebellion. It emphasizes the nee |
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A Wake Up Call to Men in the Church by Shane Idleman | This sermon emphasizes the theme of being prone to wander from God's path, drawing parallels to a bird leaving its nest. It delves into the consequences of wandering, especially fo |
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Awake Thou That Sleepest - the Snare of a Rebellious Heart by Phil Beach Jr. | Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes the dangers of a rebellious heart in his sermon 'Awake Thou That Sleepest - the Snare of a Rebellious Heart.' He warns that rebellion against God and othe |
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"The Lord Is With Him" (1 Samuel 16:18) by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the significance of David's life as a man after God's own heart, highlighting six key attributes: his skill in worship, courage, warrior spirit, prudenc |
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A Wake-Up Call to Men by Shane Idleman | Shane Idleman delivers a powerful sermon titled 'A Wake-Up Call to Men,' emphasizing the tendency of men to wander from their God-given roles and responsibilities. He draws paralle |
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The Principle of Control by J. Hampton Keathley III | J. Hampton Keathley III delves into 'The Problem of Rebellion,' emphasizing the necessity of controls due to the inherent rebellion in all individuals as a result of the fall and s |