1 Samuel 15:34-35 (ESV Strong's)
Then Samuel went to Ramah, and Saul went up to his house in Gibeah of Saul. And Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death, but Samuel grieved over Saul. And the Lord regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.
Compare the above verse with this one:
1 Samuel 15:29 (ESV Strong's)
And also the Glory of Israel (God) will not lie or have regret, for he is not a man, that he should have regret.”
Subject: Faithfulness of God
In the comparison of these two verses we have the bold statement of Samuel that God DOES NOT regret (to be sorry for something) in v. 29 and yet, in verse 35, the narrator of the book clearly states that God did regret (was sorry) He made Saul King. This paradox has been handled by many theologians. Here is one commentary thought:
(Word Biblical Commentary) The chapter as it stands leaves the reader with a paradox. Yahweh clearly had changed his mind about Saul, as both v 11 and v 35 affirm. But the final shape of the text insists that we see this shift in some tension with the usual truth about Israel's faithful God: he does not lie nor change his mind; he is not like a man who changes his mind (v 29). Without this affirmation of Yahweh's fidelity the reader might see history or God's character as arbitrary, even terrifying. One needs to know that God can be counted on. But this reaffirmation of theological truth does not smother historical reality: Yahweh's change of heart about Saul is left to stand. How we are to resolve the tension between God's fidelity and his freedom is not suggested. Perhaps the paradox expresses the real truth: He never changes his mind, and yet he does. In other biblical contexts such paradoxes can be gracious: the God who can never forget Zion (Isa 49:15) forgets his people's sin (Jer 31:34).
When faced with such paradox we need to let Scripture speak and not attempt to rationalize or speak for it. Note these passages on God's fidelity (His unchangeableness):
See Nu 23:19; Mal 3:6 and notes; see also Ps 110:4; Jer 4:28.
In all these passage it states that God is faithful and does not change. There is no conflict in God's eyes between the statement in v. 29 and those in vv. 11, 35, where the Lord is said to “regret” that he had made Saul king. God does not change in "character" - His character stays the same. Yet, like Samuel, He was sorry that Saul was king. Not sorry in that He made Saul the king, but sorry in that Saul didn't live up to what a King could live up to. God does not change. He does change His methods. But, His character stays the same. We can rejoice in that truth.
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