ESV Reformation Study Bible – 1 Sam 15:24–25
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1 Sam 15:24–25

15:24, 25 At last Saul begins to accept responsibility (“I have sinned”), though he still blames the people for initiating the unfortunate events (“I feared the people and obeyed their voice”). On the surface, Saul’s confession sounds adequate, but against the background of Samuel’s warnings in 12:14, 15, his admissions lead not so much to a possibility that there will be reconciliation as to the certainty that he will be “swept away” (12:25). Saul will offer a second, more candid confession in v. 30.