1 Samuel12
English Standard Version
Tap any underlined word for the original Hebrew or Greek.
1 And to , , I have your in that you have to me and have a you.
2 And , , the you, and I am and ; and , my are with you. I have you my .
3 I am; against me the Lord and his . have I ? Or have I ? Or have I ? have I ? Or have I taken a to my with it? against me and I will it to you.
4 They , You have not us or us or from any .
5 And he to them, The Lord is against you, and his is , you have in my . And they , He is .
6 And to the , The Lord is witness, and and your out of the of .
7 therefore that I may with you the Lord concerning the of the Lord he for you and for your .
8 When , and the Egyptians oppressed them, then your out to the Lord and the Lord and , who your out of and made them in .
9 But they the Lord their . And he them into the of , of the of , and into the of the , and into the of the of . And they against them.
10 And they to the Lord and , We have , we have the Lord and have the and the . But us out of the of our , that we may you.
11 And the Lord and and and and you out of the of your on every , and you in .
12 And when you that the of the you, you to me, , a shall us, when the Lord your was your .
13 And the you have , for you have ; , the Lord has a you.
14 you will the Lord and him and his and against the of the Lord, if both you and the you will the Lord your , it will be well.
15 But you will the of the Lord, but against the of the Lord, then the of the Lord will be against you and your .
16 Now and the Lord will before your .
17 Is it ? I will upon the Lord, that he may and . And you shall and your is , you have in the of the Lord, in for yourselves a .
18 So upon the Lord, and the Lord and that , and the the Lord and .
19 And the to , for your to the Lord your , that we may , we have our this , to for ourselves a .
20 And to the , Do be ; you have . do the Lord, but the Lord with your .
21 And do , they are .
22 the Lord will his , his sake, it has the Lord to you a for himself.
23 , as for , far be from me that I should against the Lord by to for you, and I will you in the and the .
24 the Lord and him with your . great things he has for you.
25 But you do , you shall be , your .
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1 Samuel 12Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 1 Samuel 12. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Samuel testifies his integrity. (1–5). Samuel reproves the people. (6–15). Thunder sent in harvest time. (16–25).
vv1-5
Samuel not only cleared his own character, but set an example before Saul, while he showed the people their ingratitude to God and to himself. There is a just debt which all men to their own good name, especially men in public stations, which is, to guard it against unjust blame and suspicions, that they may finish their course with honour, as well as with joy. And that we have in our places lived honestly, will be our comfort, under any slights and contempt that may be put upon us.
vv6-15
The work of ministers is to reason with people; not only to exhort and direct, but to persuade, to convince men's judgments, and so to gain their wills and affections. Samuel reasons of the righteous acts of the Lord. Those who follow God faithfully, he will enable to continue following him. Disobedience would certainly be the ruin of Israel. We mistake if we think that we can escape God's justice, by trying to shake off his dominion. If we resolve that God shall not rule us, yet he will judge us.
vv16-25
At Samuel's word, God sent thunder and rain, at a season of the year when, in that country, the like was not seen. This was to convince them they had done wickedly in asking a king; not only by its coming at an unusual time, in wheat harvest, and on a clear day, but by the prophet's giving notice of it before. He showed their folly in desiring a king to save them, rather than God, or Samuel; promising themselves more from an arm of flesh, than from the arm of God, or from the power of prayer. Could their prince command such forces as the prophet could do by his prayers? It startled them very much. Some will not be brought to see their sins by any gentler methods than storms and thunders. They entreat Samuel to pray for them. Now they see their need of him whom shortly before they slighted. Thus many who will not have Christ to reign over them, would yet be glad to have him intercede for them, to turn away the wrath of God. Samuel aims to confirm the people in their religion. Whatever we make a god of, we shall find it deceive us. Creatures in their own places are good; but when put in God's place, they are vain things. We sin if we restrain prayer, and in particular if we cease praying for the church. They only asked him to pray for them; but he promises to do more, to teach them. He urges that they were bound in gratitude to serve God, considering what great things he had done for them; and that they were bound in interest to serve him, considering what he would do against them, if they should still do wickedly. Thus, as a faithful watchman, he gave them warning, and so delivered his own soul. If we consider what great things the Lord hath done for us, especially in the great work of redemption, we can neither want motive, encouragement, nor assistance in serving him.
Key Words
שְׁמוּאֵל: Shemuel, the name of three Israelites
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
כֹּל: properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִשְׂרָאֵל: Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
הִנֵּה: lo!
שָׁמַע: to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
קוֹל: a voice or sound
מָלַךְ: to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence (by implication) to take counsel
מֶלֶךְ: a king
עַל: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
1 Samuel 12Moses' similar protestation of integrity, claiming he had not taken an ass or hurt anyone.
Supported by Matthew Poole
New Testament summary of Israel's deliverers, including Gideon (Jerubbaal), Barak, Samson, Jephthah, and Samuel.
Supported by JFB
The original context where the people demanded a king and Samuel hearkened to their voice.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The constitutional phrase 'walketh before you' used to describe leadership and public administration of Israel.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The Lord clarifies that in demanding a king, they rejected Him from reigning over them.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Confirms that rain in wheat harvest is highly unusual and socially disruptive in Israel.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Paul’s similar farewell protestation of financial integrity, coveting no man's silver or gold.
Supported by Matthew Poole
God's judgment in giving Israel a king in His anger and taking him away.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Illustrates the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man commanding the elements.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Historical precedent of God sending thunder and rain as a sign of judgment and power.
Supported by Matthew Henry
God reasoning with His people regarding His redemption via Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel confession of the people serving Baalim and forsaking the Lord during Judges.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The specific historical trigger (Nahash the Ammonite's threat) that prompted their demand for a king.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Previous historical instance of Samuel gathering Israel to pray for them in crisis.
Supported by Matthew Henry