God’s prophet briefly follows Saul, who makes a final show of worship, even though he has already lost his kingdom through disobedience.
So Samuel went back following Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD. (v.31)
In the broader context of 1 Samuel 15, the prophet Samuel has just confronted King Saul for disobeying God’s command to destroy the Amalekites completely, which included sparing King Agag and the best of the livestock in a misguided attempt to gain favor with the people. Earlier in the chapter, Samuel rebukes Saul for heeding the voice of the crowd over the voice of the LORD, telling him that his kingship will be torn away. This moment of confrontation shows Saul’s uncertain relationship with God—he performed sacrifices but did not carry out God’s direct instructions. When the verse says, So Samuel went back following Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD, we find a rather solemn show of religion after judgment has already been pronounced.
By returning with Saul, Samuel gives a momentary appearance that Saul still has the prophet’s support, but in truth, God’s decision to reject Saul as king has been made. Saul clings to what rituals remain to demonstrate reverence before the people, bowing in worship to the LORD and trying to preserve honor. Historically, Saul ruled Israel around 1050 BC and was Israel’s first human king, anointed under God’s allowance when the people desired to be “like the other nations.” Samuel, a prophet and judge around the transition between the periods of judges and kings, had hoped Saul would obey God wholeheartedly. However, Saul’s repeated partial obedience to God’s commands reveals a heart focused on appearances rather than true submission.
Spiritually, 1 Samuel 15:31 also foreshadows how outward rituals and ceremonies cannot compensate for an inward failure to trust and follow God. It highlights the difference between performing acts of worship versus genuinely surrendering to God’s authority. Jesus later taught that such external devotions without full obedience miss the heart of true worship (Matthew 15:7-9). Saul’s last gesture of devotion in this verse underscores that one’s standing before God relies on genuine faith and obedience, rather than merely performing the right customs.
Saul attempts to salvage his standing before men and God, but worship without genuine submission remains separation from the LORD.
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1 Samuel 15:31 meaning
So Samuel went back following Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD. (v.31)
In the broader context of 1 Samuel 15, the prophet Samuel has just confronted King Saul for disobeying God’s command to destroy the Amalekites completely, which included sparing King Agag and the best of the livestock in a misguided attempt to gain favor with the people. Earlier in the chapter, Samuel rebukes Saul for heeding the voice of the crowd over the voice of the LORD, telling him that his kingship will be torn away. This moment of confrontation shows Saul’s uncertain relationship with God—he performed sacrifices but did not carry out God’s direct instructions. When the verse says, So Samuel went back following Saul, and Saul worshiped the LORD, we find a rather solemn show of religion after judgment has already been pronounced.
By returning with Saul, Samuel gives a momentary appearance that Saul still has the prophet’s support, but in truth, God’s decision to reject Saul as king has been made. Saul clings to what rituals remain to demonstrate reverence before the people, bowing in worship to the LORD and trying to preserve honor. Historically, Saul ruled Israel around 1050 BC and was Israel’s first human king, anointed under God’s allowance when the people desired to be “like the other nations.” Samuel, a prophet and judge around the transition between the periods of judges and kings, had hoped Saul would obey God wholeheartedly. However, Saul’s repeated partial obedience to God’s commands reveals a heart focused on appearances rather than true submission.
Spiritually, 1 Samuel 15:31 also foreshadows how outward rituals and ceremonies cannot compensate for an inward failure to trust and follow God. It highlights the difference between performing acts of worship versus genuinely surrendering to God’s authority. Jesus later taught that such external devotions without full obedience miss the heart of true worship (Matthew 15:7-9). Saul’s last gesture of devotion in this verse underscores that one’s standing before God relies on genuine faith and obedience, rather than merely performing the right customs.
Saul attempts to salvage his standing before men and God, but worship without genuine submission remains separation from the LORD.