24 Then Saul admitted to Samuel, "Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the Lord 's command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded. 25 But now, please forgive my sin and come back with me so that I may worship the Lord ." 26 But Samuel replied, "I will not go back with you! Since you have rejected the Lord 's command, he has rejected you as king of Israel." 27 As Samuel turned to go, Saul tried to hold him back and tore the hem of his robe. 28 And Samuel said to him, "The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to someone else-one who is better than you. 29 And he who is the Glory of Israel will not lie, nor will he change his mind, for he is not human that he should change his mind!"
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 15:24-29
Commentary on 1 Samuel 15:24-31
(Read 1 Samuel 15:24-31)
There were several signs of hypocrisy in Saul's repentance. 1. He besought Samuel only, and seemed most anxious to stand right in his opinion, and to gain his favour. 2. He excuses his fault, even when confessing it; that is never the way of a true penitent. 3. All his care was to save his credit, and preserve his interest in the people. Men are fickle and alter their minds, feeble and cannot effect their purposes; something happens they could not foresee, by which their measures are broken; but with God it is not so. The Strength of Israel will not lie.