Does God Regret and Repent? | 1 Samuel 15:10-11

Vince Miller Podcast

Does God really regret and repent?

Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.

In our reading through 1 Samuel 15. Someone wrote in a question. Let's call this gentleman Mark DuVal. Here was his question:

"In Chapter 15, God regrets anointing Saul as king. There are other places where God has similar regrets. How does God regret something he knows in advance will happen when he is omniscient?"

Great question! If you have a question like this as we are reading the text, write it in, and as I have time, I will do my best to answer it.

Here's my best explanation:

The text he is referencing is 1 Samuel 15:10-11 so let me read it:

The word of the Lord came to Samuel: "I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments." And Samuel was angry, and he cried to the Lord all night. — 1 Samuel 15:10-11

Here’s the easiest way to think about this theological conundrum.

The Bible rarely mentions God conveying or experiencing “regret," but when it does, it's used to express his sorrow and displeasure with human sin (Genesis 6:5-9).

When humans use the word "regret,​" they experience it and use the word differently than God. Humans ​use this word to ​describe sorrow or remorse for a decision ​they could not foresee and​, therefore​, experience regret or sorrow about their decision. This could be a worldly regret or a godly regret.

When God experiences regret, he does not experience ​it in the same w​a​y that we do. He has complete foresight of the future. Therefore​, while he may experience the emotions of regret​, he does not do so from a position of surprise or shock. Instead, he does so apart from sin and in ​the full light of his promises and commands​. This means he experiences regret but experiences the emotion differently than we do. It is crucial not to read our position and feelings of regret and repentance into how God experiences regret and repentance.

Listen to what Samuel says about God’s "regret" further down in the same chapter in verse 29:

“And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or have regret, for he is not a man, that he should have regret." — 1 Samuel 15:29

In other words​, Godly regret is different from human regret! ​We know this from experience. There is ​a vast difference between experiencing regret for getting caught in sin and experiencing regret for realizing we have sinned and committed ​an offense against God's nature, person, and command. For reference, go back to Jesus' teaching on the story of the Prodigal Son. The younger son experiences true Godly regret. He realizes he has sinned against God and man, and in that order (Luke 15:18).

In a similar ​occurrence further into this story​, King David ​will have a moment of regret and repentance. His regret and repentance ​are vastly different from Saul’s. Therefore, God accepts his repentance even though there are still consequences.

Just remember it this way. God does not regret the way we do because he does not sin and foresee all things; therefore, his "regret" is right and righteous, whereas ours "regret" stems from our wrong and unrighteous behavior.

Thus, Jesus proclaimed this message to the world: "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 3:2).

#GodsRegret, #BiblicalWisdom, #FaithQuestions

Ask This:

How do you typically handle feelings of regret, and how might understanding God's perspective on regret help you navigate those emotions differently?

In what areas of your life do you need to experience true, godly repentance, and how can you take steps to align your heart with God's will?

Do This:

Live without regret, and if you have regrets, repent!

Pray This:

Lord, help me to understand Your perfect ways and teach me to repent with a heart that seeks true transformation. Guide me to trust in Your wisdom, even when I don't fully grasp Your plans. Amen.

Play This:

Run To The Father.