Does God Regret?
In 1 Sam 15:7-11, we see that when King Saul disobeyed God’s command to completely destroy the Amalekites, God declared that He regretted making Saul a King. However, in Num 23:19, the Bible states that God is not a man that He should lie or regret.
So does God regret? Or does He not? Answering this question is not easy because Scripture seems to present two different explanations.
Today, we will consider how we should understand the Scripture when it appears to present two different explanations. Ultimately, we will seek to answer the question: “Does God regret?”
- The Death of King Saul
In 1 Sam 31, Saul faced a devastating defeat in battle against the Philistines (1 Sam 31:4). He had already been wounded by several arrows. Fearing disgrace at the hands of the enemy, he asked his armour bearer to kill him. However, his armour bearer refused, so Saul took his own sword and fell on it, committing suicide.
However, in the very next chapter, 2 Sam 1:10, a different account is given. An Amalekite youth came to David and reported that Saul and his sons had died in battle. When David asked how Saul died, the Amalekite claimed that he had encountered Saul, who was still alive but fatally wounded, and that he had killed him at Saul’s request. He then took Saul’s crown and bracelet and brought them to David.
So, which account is correct? Did Saul committed suicide, or was he killed by the Amalekite? Many assume that Saul’s armour bearer was the Amalekite youth by blending the two accounts. However, careful reading of Scripture shows this is incorrect.
Saul wanted to avoid being defiled by the uncircumcised enemies. If his armour bearer had been the Amalekite youth, Saul’s death at his hands would have contradicted this intention (1 Sam 31:4). Additionally, in 1 Sam 14:1, Jonathan’s armour bearer accompanied him in battle, and in 1 Sam 16:21, David was chosen as Saul’s armour bearer. This indicates that the armour bearers were typically close and trusted Israelites, not foreigners. Moreover, 1 Sam 31:5 stated that Saul’s armour bearer died with him, proving that the Amalekite youth was not the armour bearer. Who, then, was the Amalekite youth?
After battles, valuable items were often left behind. Sometimes, scavengers would enter the battlefield at night to collect such items. The Amalekite youth in 2 Sam 1 was likely one these scavengers. He found Saul’s crown and bracelet and, realizing their significance, brought them to David, hoping for a reward. To gain favor, he fabricated the story that he had granted Saul’s dying wish by ending his life.
The Bible declares that the Bible itself was written by the inspiration of God. And it says that God can do all things, but one thing He cannot do is lie (2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:21; Heb 6:18). Therefore, there can be no lies or errors in the Bible. Therefore, since 1 Sam 31 is about what actually happened and 2 Sam 1 is about what the Amalekite boy lied about, even through the two stories conflict, there are no errors or lies in the Bible.
- Does God Regret?
Gen 6:6; 1 Sam 15:11; 2 Sam 24:16 stated that God regretted certain actions. Does this mean God really regrets?
Regret means feeling sorrow over a mistake or wrong decision. If God truly regretted, it would imply that He makes mistakes. However, does God make mistakes? (Eze 24:14; Num 23:19; 1 Sam 15:29; James 1:17).
The answer to the question of whether God regrets can be found in the fact that God does not make mistakes and does not lie. God, who does not make mistakes, cannot regret (Malachi 3:6; Rom 11:29; Tit 1:2; Heb 6:18; Rom 3:4; Rom 9:6; Jhn 3:33).
The Hebrew word for regret is ‘naham’, which means ‘to regret’, but also ‘to comfort’, and furthermore, ‘to be sorry, to be moved by pity, to have compassion’. Therefore, although God may have pity and sympathy for Saul who did not obey. He does not regret the plan and will that God established. God never regrets, and He carries out His will just as He planned from eternity ago.
Dear saints, that is why you and I must always try to live according to God’s will and pray.
Heb 12:2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and the perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The term ‘Lord of faith’ in Greek means ‘Author of faith, Master of faith’. So the founding pastor explained that the Lord becomes our Lord only when we have faith in Him.
Conclusion: God’s Will for Us
Since God does not regret or change His mind, what is His unchanging will for us?
- Repentance
2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
- Knowledge of the Truth
1 Tim 2:4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
- Sanctification
1 Thess 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality.
- Dedication and Worship
Rom 12:1-2 Present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
- A Life of Gratitude
1 Thess 5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
- Eternal Life and Resurrection
Jhn 6:40 For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him may have eternal life.
If we fall outside the will of God, who has no regrets, we will only lose. I pray in the name of the Lord that you and I may dwell in the will of God and become fulfillers of His will. Amen.
The Lord's Covenant Church Malaysia 