Study it in the app“For rebellion is the sin of divination, and stubbornness is wickedness and teraphim. Because you have despised the word of YHWH, he has despised you from being king.””
Samuel to Saul: listening to God is better than sacrificeObedience
Forכִּיrebellionמֶרִיis the sinחַטַּאתof divination,קֶסֶםand stubbornnessהַפְצַרis wickednessוְאָוֶןand teraphim.וּתְרָפִיםBecauseיַעַןyou have despisedמָאַסְתָּthe wordאֶת דְּבַרof YHWH,יְהוָהhe has despised youוַיִּמְאָסְךָfrom being king.”מִמֶּלֶךְ
rebellion
Rebellion. "Sons of rebellion" are rebels.
Where else “meri” appearssin
Failing God, not doing what he asks.
Where else “chatat” appearsdivination
Trying to know hidden things, as false prophets did.
Where else “kesem” appearsstubbornness
Refusing to give way, even to God.
Where else “haftsar” appearswickedness
The evil one does.
Where else “aven” appearshousehold gods
Teraphim: images of gods kept in the home. The Bible counts them among idols (1 Samuel 15:23; Zechariah 10:2).
Where else “terafim” appearsreject
To regard something or someone as worthless and put it away.
Where else “maasta” appearsword
What someone says or announces, above all what YHWH says.
Where else “devar” appearsYHWH
The personal name of the God of Israel, written in Hebrew with four letters, Y-H-W-H, without vowels. Out of reverence Jews stopped pronouncing it and read "Adonai" (Lord), so many Bibles put "the LORD" or "Jehovah". This translation keeps the four letters. The name is related to the verb "to be" (Exodus 3:14-15). He is not a god other than Elohim: "YHWH Elohim" is the same Creator God, called by his name.
Where else “yehva” appearsking
A king who rules a people.
Where else “melech” appearsThe teraphim were figures of gods kept in houses (Genesis 31:19). It can be understood that Samuel puts rebellion and stubbornness on the same level as divination and idolatry.
22Samuel said, “Does YHWH have as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in listening to the voice of YHWH? Look, to listen is better than sacrifice, to pay attention than the fat of rams.
23 · This verse (above)
24Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the command of YHWH and your words, because I feared the people and listened to their voice.
