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1 Samuel 12

1

And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you.

2

And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day.

3

Behold, here I am: witness against me before the Lord, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.

4

And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man’s hand.

5

And he said unto them, The Lord is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they answered, He is witness.

6

And Samuel said unto the people, It is the Lord that advanced Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt.

1
7

Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the Lord of all the righteous acts of the Lord, which he did to you and to your fathers.

8

When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried unto the Lord, then the Lord sent Moses and Aaron, which brought forth your fathers out of Egypt, and made them dwell in this place.

9

And when they forgat the Lord their God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them.

10

And they cried unto the Lord, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken the Lord, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee.

11

And the Lord sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe.

12

And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the Lord your God was your king.

13

Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the Lord hath set a king over you.

14

If ye will fear the Lord, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the Lord your God:

15

But if ye will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord, then shall the hand of the Lord be against you, as it was against your fathers.

16

Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the Lord will do before your eyes.

17

Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the Lord, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the Lord, in asking you a king.

18

So Samuel called unto the Lord; and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel.

1
19

And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the Lord thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.

1
20

And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart;

21

And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.

22

For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people.

23

Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:

2
24

Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.

25

But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.

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1 Samuel 12

Samuel's farewell address (parallel to Joshua's and Gideon's) reviews Israel's history from Moses through the judges, reminding the people that the LORD has been their deliverer and that their request for a king is a rejection of the theocratic covenant: 'You said to me, Give us a king and judges. And the LORD your God was your king' (12:12). Samuel calls thunder and rain in harvest season (an act of divine power that ordinarily would bring plague) as a sign of the LORD's judgment on Israel for requesting a king (12:16-18), yet offers hope: 'The LORD will not cast off his people...for his great name's sake' (12:22), affirming that covenant grace transcends Israel's folly. Samuel's parting instruction charges the king to 'fear the LORD' and 'serve him faithfully' (12:24), establishing that kingship is valid only insofar as it remains subordinate to covenantal obedience, and warns that 'if you persist in doing what is wrong, both you and your king will be swept away' (12:25). The chapter crystallizes the book's central theology: human kingship is a concession to Israel's desire to be like the nations, yet the LORD will not abandon the covenant, and the viability of kingship depends entirely on the king's commitment to covenantal obedience.

1 Samuel 12:8

When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried unto the LORD, then the LORD sent Moses and Aaron — Samuel begins the historical survey with Israel's descent into Egypt and the cry of distress that prompted God's response. The historical narrative will trace God's repeated deliverances.

1 Samuel 12:1

And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you — Samuel addresses the assembled people, reminding them that he has honored their request for a king, despite the theological complications of that request. The word 'hearkened' (shamati) means to listen and obey. Samuel has yielded to the people's will, though this does not mean the request was right.

1 Samuel 12:2

And now, behold, the king walketh before you — Samuel notes that Saul is now established as leader ('walketh before you,' walks at the head of the nation). and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you — Samuel is aging, pointing to his diminished capacity for leadership. His sons, unlike the sons of earlier judges (cf. 8:3), have not been given responsibility. The implication is that the transition to kingship is necessary because the prophetic line cannot reliably continue.

1 Samuel 12:3

And I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day — Samuel testifies to his lifelong service to Israel, from youth (minu'ari) to old age. The phrase 'walked before you' (hithalakti lipneyhem) suggests faithful leadership and precedent. Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed — Samuel invites public testimony against himself, asking the people to witness before God and before Saul ('lipne mish'aho, before his anointed one') if he has committed wrong. Samuel opens himself to scrutiny, establishing his own integrity before defending God's character.

1 Samuel 12:4

Whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? — Samuel asks specific questions about his honesty: have I stolen anyone's livestock? The questions parallel the accusations often made against judges and leaders who abuse their power. or whom have I defrauded? or of whom have I taken a bribe to blind mine eyes therewith — Samuel asks if he has wronged or defrauded anyone (yoniyah, defrauded or oppressed) or taken a bribe (shohad) to pervert justice. The questions cover the principal forms of judicial corruption.

1 Samuel 12:5

And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken any thing of any man's hand — the people's testimony is unequivocal: Samuel is innocent of corruption. The affirmation covers the three areas Samuel mentioned: he has not defrauded, not oppressed, and not taken bribes.

1 Samuel 12:6

And Samuel said unto them, It is the LORD that advanced Moses and Aaron — Samuel now shifts from his own integrity to God's faithfulness. He rehearses God's saving acts with 'It is the LORD' (YHWH), emphasizing divine agency. Moses and Aaron were raised up ('asher hegbiah) by God to lead Israel, establishing the prophetic and priestly heritage. and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt — God's foundational saving act is the exodus, the deliverance from slavery. This is Israel's defining moment of salvation and covenant.

1 Samuel 12:7

Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of all the righteous acts of the LORD — Samuel calls the people to stand before God while he rehearses 'the righteous acts' (tzidkot) or 'acts of salvation' that God has performed for Israel. The verb 'reason' (shupatim, to judge or plead) suggests that Samuel will make a legal case for God's faithfulness. which he did to you and to your fathers — the righteous acts span generations, from the fathers to the present people.

1 Samuel 12:9

And the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, and they brought your fathers out of Egypt, and made them dwell in this place — God responded to the cry by sending Moses and Aaron, who led Israel out of Egypt and brought them into the land (this place, Canaan). The verb 'made them dwell' (vayohshi'o) emphasizes God's active establishment of Israel in the land.

1 Samuel 12:10

And when they forgat the LORD their God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, the captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab; and they fought against them — Samuel now describes Israel's pattern of apostasy and judgment. When the people forgot (shakchu, forgot or ignored) God, he allowed them to be enslaved ('vaye'kerem, he sold them') to hostile powers: Sisera and the Hazor Canaanites (defeated by Deborah and Barak in Judges 4), the Philistines, and the Moabites.

1 Samuel 12:11

And the LORD sent Jephthah, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side — God sent judges (Jephthah, Bedan, probably Samson though he is not named, and Samuel) to deliver Israel from enemies on all sides. The enumeration of judges reminds Israel of the cycle: apostasy, judgment, repentance, deliverance. and ye dwelled safe — the period of the judges was characterized by freedom from oppression, though not without danger.

1 Samuel 12:12

And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the Ammonites came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us — Samuel directly addresses the people's recent demand for a king. They said 'Nay' (lo) to the judge system and demanded a king as their ruler (melekh yimlok 'aleinu). The request came in the context of the Ammonite threat. when the LORD your God was your king — Samuel's statement is theologically crucial: God was Israel's king long before any human monarchy. The people's demand for a king represents a rejection of God's direct rule.

1 Samuel 12:13

Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired — Samuel points to Saul, the chosen and desired king, standing before them. behold, the LORD hath set a king over you — but even as the people chose Saul, it was 'the LORD' who 'set' (natan) the king over them. This statement allows for both human choice and divine appointment, reconciling the people's request with God's ultimate sovereignty.

1 Samuel 12:14

If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice — Samuel now establishes the conditional covenant structure that will govern Israel's future prosperity and the king's success. The triple imperative 'fear...serve...obey' (yireh, yaabodom, yishmru) encompasses Israel's entire religious obligation. and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God — if Israel is faithful, both people and king will prosper and 'follow the LORD your God' (yilkhem acharey YHWH). The conditional promise echoes the covenantal theology: obedience brings blessing.

1 Samuel 12:15

But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD — the alternative is stark: if Israel refuses obedience and rebels ('marad, revolts') against God's commandment, judgment will follow. then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers — the hand (yad) of God, the instrument of judgment, will strike the people as it struck their ancestors. The phrase recalls the plagues of Egypt and other divine judgments.

1 Samuel 12:16

Now therefore stand and see this great thing which the LORD will do before your eyes — Samuel announces that he will perform a sign demonstrating God's power and will, something 'great' (hagadol) that the people will see 'before your eyes' (lipne eyneychem). The sign will validate Samuel's prophetic claim and God's continued involvement.

1 Samuel 12:17

Is it not wheat harvest now? yet I will call upon the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain — Samuel points out that it is wheat harvest time, normally the dry season when rain is unexpected and would be destructive. He will call upon the LORD, who will send thunder and rain as a sign. The miracle will demonstrate God's control over nature and Samuel's prophetic power. that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king — the thunder and rain will be a sign pointing to the people's wickedness: their demand for a king (viewed by Samuel as sin against God) has incurred divine judgment.

1 Samuel 12:18

So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day — Samuel's prayer is answered immediately. Thunder (kol YHWH, the voice of the LORD) and rain fall on the harvest day, confirming Samuel's prophetic power and divine validation of his message. and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel — the people's fear ('yaron, were afraid') is directed both at God and at Samuel, the prophet whose word has proven true.

1 Samuel 12:19

And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not — the people, now understanding the seriousness of their sin, beg Samuel to intercede on their behalf. The plea 'that we die not' shows their recognition that they deserve death for their transgression.

1 Samuel 12:20

And Samuel said unto them, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness — Samuel acknowledges the people's sin but reassures them: 'Fear not' (al tirah). The wickedness is acknowledged but will not be fatal if repentance follows. yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart — Samuel calls for renewed commitment: 'turn not aside' (al tasuru) from following God, and 'serve the LORD with all your heart' (ivdu YHWH bkol levavchemm). Complete devotion of heart (levav, the inner being) to God is the remedy for having rejected God's kingship.

1 Samuel 12:21

And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver you — Samuel warns against turning aside to 'vain things' (acharey hattohel, after emptiness or vanity), things that cannot help or save. The warning may refer to idols or other false loyalties that distract from God.

1 Samuel 12:22

For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake — the cornerstone of Samuel's message is God's faithfulness. Despite Israel's sin and Samuel's stern rebukes, God 'will not forsake' (lo yiznach) his people. The reason is 'for his great name's sake' (l'ma'an shemo hagadol), God's own honor and reputation are bound up with Israel's preservation. God cannot abandon Israel without compromising his own character and covenant promises.

1 Samuel 12:23

Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you — Samuel commits himself to intercessory prayer ('lehith'palel aleychem, to pray on your behalf') and declares that to cease praying would be sin (het) against God. Prayer and prophetic intercession are Samuel's solemn obligation. but I will teach you the good and the right way — Samuel will guide the people in the way ('derech) of goodness and righteousness, offering practical moral and spiritual instruction.

1 Samuel 12:24

Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things he hath done for you — Samuel summarizes his exhortation: fear God ('yir'u et YHWH), serve him 'in truth' (be'emet, in sincerity and faithfulness), and serve 'with all your heart' (bkol levavchemm). The motivation is remembrance: 'consider' (hit'ametu, think carefully about) the magnitude of God's works on Israel's behalf.

1 Samuel 12:25

But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king — Samuel ends with a final conditional warning. If Israel 'do wickedly' (taashun ra'a), both people and king will be 'consumed' (tutammem, destroyed or swept away). The fate of the monarchy is bound to the covenant fidelity of the people. The passage concludes Samuel's farewell address and establishes the theological framework within which Israel's kingship must operate: conditional on obedience to God's law and dependent on divine grace.