The nature of true repentance (1 Sam 15:24-31)

A while ago, a football player was making a public apology in an interview on radio. He got drunk after a match and misbehaved thereby bringing his club into disrepute, so that he was kicked out. In talking to the journalist, he was near tears saying how deeply sorry he was for what he had done. The words were right, and the sentiment of remorse was genuine, yet something was missing. What makes for true repentance? Some insist that it must include an admission of specific sins. As a friend said to her young son, ‘You don’t just say “sorry”, you say “I am sorry for doing X…”. For others, a sense of guilt and remorse over sin’s impact on others is essential. While these things can indicate repentance, the real issue is the condition of our hearts. What does Saul’s story teach us about true repentance?

Saul has already had two opportunities to confess his sin, but instead he argued and found excuses. Now, after the third confrontation and Samuel’s harsh words (1 Sam 15:22-23), he finally admits his sin. The confession seems initially word-perfect recognising Saul’s sin against God’s command and the prophet’s words, though it is disconcerting that the king immediately justifies himself by pointing to his fear of the people (1 Sam 15:24). Even if we give Saul the benefit of the doubt (i.e. that this is an explanation rather than an excuse) there is a fundamental problem when a king bends to popular pressure against his better judgment. A leader needs to listen to God first rather than to what brings him popularity.

The real motivation behind the confession is revealed in the next verse when Saul asks the prophet to forgive and lend the king his authority as they return to the people and worship (1 Sam 15:25). What is wrong with this? Saul has clearly not appreciated the gravity of his sin – God said that He had rejected him as king (1 Sam 15:23), but Saul thinks that forgiveness automatically means the reversal of the consequences. In other words, he presumes on God’s grace as if it were his right. He also seems far more concerned about holding on to his kingdom, which becomes evident when Samuel refuses to lend him his authority before the people and Saul seizes the prophet’s robe to detain him (1 Sam 15:26-27). It is a visual expression of the king’s determination to hold on to the power that God has taken away from him. Even when Samuel affirms God’s verdict (1 Sam 15:28), the king is primarily concerned with appearances (that the prophet honours him before the people; 1 Sam 15:30). Neither does Saul rectify his sin; it is Samuel who executes the Amalekite king (1 Sam 15:32-33). Although gruesome, we must remember that this is not revenge but God’s justice executed (see my post on this here).

The issues in Saul’s repentance are recognisable in our context today. Despite words that express sorrow, many do not appreciate the gravity of their wrongdoing and mourn for the consequences of their sin to themselves rather than for the damage to others. Sorry is often a cheap word. True repentance means acknowledging God’s verdict with humility and not presuming on His grace. As the prodigal son says, ‘I am not worthy to be called your son…’ (Luke 15:21). God is not duty bound to remove the painful consequences of our sin, though in His great mercy He often restores us like the father did his wayward son in the above parable (Luke 15:22-24). In Saul’s case, he could not remain king because he proved himself fundamentally unfit to govern with justice and handle power as God’s representative. While the verdict is harsh, God has the broader picture in mind and is concerned for His people whose lives will be adversely affected by such a king. We must also note that God is only rejecting him as king, not as a person. Finally, true repentance may involve rectifying the sin by doing, even belatedly, what God has commanded (Matt 21:28-29) and making amends where possible (see e.g. Luke 19:8). When God convicts us, may we respond with genuine repentance.

To the question whether God changes His mind (1 Sam 15:29, 35), I shall return in my next post.

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