1 Samuel 15:25
New International Version
Now I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD.”

New Living Translation
But now, please forgive my sin and come back with me so that I may worship the LORD.”

English Standard Version
Now therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me that I may bow before the LORD.”

Berean Standard Bible
Now therefore, please forgive my sin and return with me so I can worship the LORD.”

King James Bible
Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD.

New King James Version
Now therefore, please pardon my sin, and return with me, that I may worship the LORD.”

New American Standard Bible
Now then, please pardon my sin and return with me, so that I may worship the LORD.”

NASB 1995
“Now therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me, that I may worship the LORD.”

NASB 1977
“Now therefore, please pardon my sin and return with me, that I may worship the LORD.”

Legacy Standard Bible
So now, please forgive my sin and return with me, that I may worship Yahweh.”

Amplified Bible
Now, please, pardon my sin and return with me, so that I may worship the LORD.”

Christian Standard Bible
Now therefore, please forgive my sin and return with me so I can worship the LORD.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now therefore, please forgive my sin and return with me so I can worship the LORD.”

American Standard Version
Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
Please forgive me and come back with me so I can worship the LORD."

English Revised Version
Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Now please forgive my sin and come back with me so that I may worship the LORD."

Good News Translation
But now I beg you, forgive my sin and go back with me, so that I can worship the LORD."

International Standard Version
Now, please forgive my sin and return with me so I may worship the LORD."

NET Bible
Now please forgive my sin! Go back with me so I can worship the LORD."

New Heart English Bible
Now therefore, please pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD."

Webster's Bible Translation
Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Now therefore, please forgive my sin and return with me so I can worship the LORD.”

World English Bible
Now therefore, please pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship Yahweh.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and now, please bear with my sin, and return with me, and I bow myself to YHWH.”

Young's Literal Translation
and now, bear, I pray thee, with my sin, and turn back with me, and I bow myself to Jehovah.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And now, take away now, my sin, and turn back with me, and I will worship to Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But now bear, I beseech thee, my sin, and return with me, that I may adore the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But now, I beg you, to bear my sin, and to return with me, so that I may adore the Lord.”

New American Bible
Now forgive my sin, and return with me, that I may worship the LORD.”

New Revised Standard Version
Now therefore, I pray, pardon my sin, and return with me, so that I may worship the LORD.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now therefore, pardon my sin, and return with me, that I may worship the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Now forgive my sin and return with me! I shall worship LORD JEHOVAH!”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and return with me, that I may worship the LORD.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And now remove, I pray thee, my sin, and turn back with me, and I will worship the Lord thy God.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Saul's Confession
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.” 26“I will not return with you,” Samuel replied. “For you have rejected the word of the LORD, and He has rejected you as king over Israel.”…

Cross References
Psalm 51:1-4
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions. / Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. / For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. ...

2 Samuel 12:13
Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” “The LORD has taken away your sin,” Nathan replied. “You will not die.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

Matthew 3:8
Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance.

Acts 3:19
Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,

Proverbs 28:13
He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.

Luke 15:21
The son declared, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.

Hosea 14:2
Bring your confessions and return to the LORD. Say to Him: “Take away all our iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips.

Jeremiah 31:34
No longer will each man teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquities and will remember their sins no more.”

Hebrews 10:26-27
If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, / but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries.

2 Chronicles 7:14
and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

Ezekiel 18:21-23
But if the wicked man turns from all the sins he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. / None of the transgressions he has committed will be held against him. Because of the righteousness he has practiced, he will live. / Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn’t I prefer that he turn from his ways and live?

Romans 2:4
Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?


Treasury of Scripture

Now therefore, I pray you, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD.

pardon

Exodus 10:17
Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and intreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only.

Jump to Previous
Bear Beg Bow Pardon Please Sin Turn Worship
Jump to Next
Bear Beg Bow Pardon Please Sin Turn Worship
1 Samuel 15
1. Samuel sends Saul to destroy Amalek
6. Saul favors the Kenites
7. He spares Agag and the best of the spoil
10. Samuel denounces unto Saul God's rejection of him for his disobedience
24. Saul's humiliation
32. Samuel kills Agag
34. Samuel and Saul part














Now therefore, please forgive my sin
This phrase is part of King Saul's plea to the prophet Samuel after disobeying God's command to completely destroy the Amalekites and their possessions. Saul's request for forgiveness highlights the biblical theme of repentance, though his sincerity is questionable given his previous actions. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, seeking forgiveness from a prophet was significant, as prophets were seen as God's representatives. This moment reflects the broader biblical narrative of sin, repentance, and the need for divine forgiveness, as seen in passages like Psalm 51, where David seeks God's mercy.

and return with me
Saul's request for Samuel to return with him indicates his desire for public validation and restoration of his status as king. In the historical context, a prophet's presence would signify divine approval, which Saul desperately seeks. This reflects the importance of public perception and authority in ancient Near Eastern cultures. Saul's focus on appearances rather than genuine repentance contrasts with the biblical ideal of a contrite heart, as emphasized in Isaiah 66:2.

so I can worship the LORD.
Worship in ancient Israel involved sacrifices and rituals performed at designated places, often under the guidance of a prophet or priest. Saul's desire to worship the LORD may be seen as an attempt to restore his relationship with God, though it also suggests a superficial understanding of true worship, which requires obedience and a sincere heart. This connects to the broader biblical theme that God desires obedience over sacrifice, as stated in 1 Samuel 15:22. Saul's failure to grasp this principle foreshadows the eventual rise of David, a man after God's own heart, who embodies the true spirit of worship and obedience.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Samuel
A prophet and judge of Israel, who anointed Saul as the first king of Israel. He serves as God's mouthpiece in this account.

2. Saul
The first king of Israel, chosen by God but later rejected due to his disobedience. In this chapter, he is confronted by Samuel for not fully obeying God's command.

3. Amalekites
A people whom God commanded Saul to completely destroy as a judgment for their past sins against Israel.

4. Gilgal
A significant location in Israel's history, often associated with renewal and covenant. It is where Saul seeks to worship the LORD after his disobedience.

5. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who commands obedience and worship from His people.
Teaching Points
True Repentance vs. Superficial Regret
Saul's request for forgiveness appears more concerned with appearances and maintaining his status than genuine repentance. True repentance involves a heart change and turning away from sin.

The Importance of Obedience
God values obedience over sacrifice. Saul's partial obedience is seen as disobedience, reminding us that God desires our full commitment.

Consequences of Disobedience
Saul's failure to fully obey God leads to his rejection as king. Our disobedience can have lasting consequences, affecting our relationship with God and others.

Seeking God's Forgiveness
While Saul seeks Samuel's forgiveness, true forgiveness comes from God. We must approach God with a contrite heart, seeking His mercy.

Worship from the Heart
Worship is not merely a ritual but an expression of a heart aligned with God's will. Our worship should reflect our obedience and love for God.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 15:25?

2. How does 1 Samuel 15:25 illustrate the importance of genuine repentance in our lives?

3. What can we learn from Saul's request for forgiveness in 1 Samuel 15:25?

4. How does Saul's plea connect to the theme of obedience in 1 Samuel 15?

5. How can we apply Saul's acknowledgment of sin to our daily walk with God?

6. What does 1 Samuel 15:25 teach about seeking forgiveness from God and others?

7. Why did Saul ask Samuel to forgive his sin in 1 Samuel 15:25?

8. How does 1 Samuel 15:25 reflect on the nature of repentance?

9. What does 1 Samuel 15:25 reveal about Saul's understanding of obedience?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 15?

11. What does the Bible teach about worship?

12. How can one heal from being hurt by the church?

13. How can 1 Kings 15:5 declare David upright aside from Uriah's case when there are other recorded sins in Scripture?

14. What is the Bible's view on estrangement?
What Does 1 Samuel 15:25 Mean
Now therefore

– Saul has just heard Samuel’s sharp rebuke and the divine verdict: “Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king” (1 Samuel 15:23).

– “Now” signals a moment of crisis; everything has come to a head, and Saul must respond immediately.

– Similar turning-point moments appear when Nathan confronts David (“Then David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the LORD,’” 2 Samuel 12:13) and when Peter preaches at Pentecost (“Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart,” Acts 2:37).

– The word “therefore” reminds us that consequences follow choices; obedience brings blessing, disobedience brings loss (Deuteronomy 11:26-28).


Please forgive my sin

– Saul finally uses the word “sin,” acknowledging wrongdoing in leaving Amalek’s king alive and keeping the best livestock (1 Samuel 15:9).

– Yet his confession seems pressured by exposure rather than heartbroken repentance, unlike David’s heartfelt plea, “Have mercy on me, O God… against You, You only, have I sinned” (Psalm 51:1-4).

– True forgiveness requires:

• Honest admission (Proverbs 28:13)

• Turning from sin (Isaiah 55:7)

• Faith in God’s mercy (1 John 1:9)

– Saul asks Samuel to grant forgiveness, forgetting that only the LORD can pardon. Samuel functioned as prophet-priest, but genuine absolution rests in God Himself (Micah 7:18-19).


Return with me

– Saul wants Samuel to accompany him back to the people. Why?

• Restore public honor—he fears losing face before Israel’s elders (1 Samuel 15:30).

• Appear spiritually sound—prophet at his side implies divine approval (compare 2 Kings 4:30).

– The request sounds humble yet reveals a heart still clinging to status. Samuel had turned to leave (1 Samuel 15:27); Saul clutches at renewed partnership instead of full repentance.

– Scripture warns against outward religious show divorced from obedience (Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 23:27).


So I can worship the LORD

– Saul’s desire to offer sacrifice seems pious, but Samuel has already declared, “To obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22).

– Worship that pleases God springs from surrendered hearts:

• “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit” (Psalm 51:17).

• “Those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).

– By sparing Agag and the spoil, Saul undercut the very worship he now seeks to perform; obedience and worship cannot be separated (James 1:22).


summary

Saul’s words sound contrite—“Now therefore, please forgive my sin and return with me so I can worship the LORD”—yet the surrounding narrative exposes a conflicted heart. He recognizes sin but fears disgrace more than God’s displeasure. He seeks Samuel’s presence to bolster image rather than pursuing wholehearted obedience. Scripture’s lesson is clear: genuine repentance turns from sin, submits to God’s authority, and expresses worship through obedient living.

(25) Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin.--But, after all, the sorrow of Saul was rather for the immediate earthly consequence which he feared might follow the Divine rejection. He foresaw his power in Israel would sensibly decrease, so he intreats the great prophet not to desert him.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now therefore,
וְעַתָּ֕ה (wə·‘at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 6258: At this time

please
נָ֖א (nā)
Interjection
Strong's 4994: I pray', 'now', 'then'

forgive
שָׂ֥א (śā)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

my sin
חַטָּאתִ֑י (ḥaṭ·ṭā·ṯî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2403: An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender

and return
וְשׁ֣וּב (wə·šūḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

with me
עִמִּ֔י (‘im·mî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

so I can worship
וְאֶֽשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֖ה (wə·’eš·ta·ḥă·weh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Conjunctive imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common singular
Strong's 7812: To depress, prostrate

the LORD.”
לַֽיהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel


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OT History: 1 Samuel 15:25 Now therefore please pardon my sin (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)
1 Samuel 15:24
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