1 Samuel 13:14 Meaning and Explanation
“But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Samuel announces that Saul's kingdom will not endure, for the LORD has sought a man after His own heart to lead Israel.
What Does 1 Samuel 13:14 Mean?
The verdict falls: Saul's line will not continue, and the LORD has already sought another, a man after His own heart, to be captain over the people. The phrase points ahead to David, though he is not yet named.
To be 'after God's own heart' is to be devoted to His will above one's own, the very thing Saul has just failed to be. This longing for a faithful king runs through Scripture and is answered fully in Christ, whose heart was wholly given to the Father. Leadership is entrusted to those who keep what the LORD commands.
1 Samuel 13:14 in the Original Language
lebab (לֵבָב), 'heart' -- the inner self of will, mind, and devotion, the seat of one's loyalty to God.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 13:14
What does 1 Samuel 13:14 mean?
Samuel announces that Saul's kingdom will not endure, for the LORD has sought a man after His own heart to lead Israel.