"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."
I Samuel 15:35
God regretted? How can I understand this in light of what the Bible teaches about God? Did Saul catch God by surprise? Did God not know from the beginning how Saul would turn out? Did God make a mistake and say, "Uh, oh"? I know from Scripture that God knows everything (omniscience) and does everything perfectly (perfection). Then what is the meaning of this verse? The Hebrew lexicon lists the possible uses for the word translated "regret": 1) to be sorry, be moved to pity, have compassion; 2) to be sorry, rue, suffer grief, repent. I think the only way to understand it is that God was sorry for His people. They had made a terrible choice when they rejected God's kingship and demanded their own way. Now they are suffering the consequences of their choice. How God must grieve when His people reject His way and go their own way. When His sheep stray, He is moved with pity and compassion because He knows they will suffer the consequences. This squares with what I understand about God. "But You, O LORD, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in mercy and truth" (Psalm 86:15).
Today's Thought: God feels sorrow when His people go their own way.
Have a compassionate day. Love you.
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