God's repentance is not like man's repentance. "The Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for He is not a man, that He should repent." Man's repentance implies a change of mind. God's repentance implies a change of circumstances and relations. Man may change his relation to God by complying with the conditions upon which he may be brought into the divine favor, or he may, by his own action, place himself outside the favoring condition; but the Lord is the same "yesterday, and today, and forever." Hebrews 13:8. Saul's disobedience changed his relation to God; but the conditions of acceptance with God were unaltered--God's requirements were still the same, for with Him there "is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." James 1:17.

Gud angrer ikke som et menneske. "Han, som er Israels herlighed, lyver ikke, ej heller angrer han; thi han er ikke et menneske, at han skulle angre!" Når et menneske angrer, ændrer det sin indstilling. Når Gud angrer, ændrer han forholdene. Et menneske kan ændre sit forhold til Gud på to måder. Det kan enten opfylde de betingelser, som Gud har stillet for at skænke det sin nåde, eller også kan det af egen fri vilje forkaste betingelserne for at opnå Guds nåde. Herren er derimod den samme "i går og i dag, ja, til evig tid". Heb. 13, 8. Saul ændrede sit forhold til Gud ved sin ulydighed, men betingelserne for at opnå Guds nåde var de samme. Guds krav var uændrede, for hos Gud er der ikke "forandring eller skygge, der kommer og går". Jak. 1, 17.