1 Samuel 12

1 Samuel 12

Wiersbe - Samuel was a man of integrity; Saul would turn out to be a man of hypocrisy & duplicity. Here is the king walking before you, but I am old and gray - Samuel begins like one of his great predecessors Joshua (Joshua 23:1-2+ - see above) stating he was old and gray. This was one of the prime reasons Israel desired a king, for they knew he was on the way out. In this first section Samuel is asking all Israel to judge his judgeship. And remember this was no small thing for Samuel, for he had been the titular leader of Israel for decades and Israel was asking him to relinquish his right as leader and transfer it to another who would not be in his lineage. Most fathers desire to pass on their wealth and prestige to their sons, but Samuel is perfect example of an OT saint who "died to self!" And behold my sons are with you - Because of the transfer of power to a monarchy, Samuel's sons would not be over Israel but with Israel. This was the other reason Israel wanted a king because of his corrupt sons! It is interesting he doesn't specifically describe their evil character here, but he knew that all Israel knew what it was (1Sa 8:3, 4, 5+). Samuel knew full well that his sons with them was not something they desired. And I have walked before you from my youth even to this day - Walked depicts Samuel's manner of life, indeed as he will elaborate on, an exemplary walk his entire life. Samuel is truly one of the great men of God whether in the Old or New Testaments. Recall as youth "Samuel grew and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fail. All Israel from Dan even to Beersheba (WHERE HIS SONS WOULD LATER SERVE AS CORRUPT JUDGES) knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the LORD." (1Sa 3:19-20+) Brian Bell - Samuel, a man of integrity: If Ethics are your personal beliefs & values (what you say you believe); And, Morals are your ways of living your life (what you actually do); Then, Integrity is when your ethics are proven by your morals (thats, when what you say you believe, is matched by how you choose to live your life). 1 Samuel 12:3 "Here I am; bear witness against me before the LORD and His anointed. Whose ox have I taken, or whose donkey have I taken, or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed, or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? I will restore it to you." BGT 1 Samuel 12:3 ἰδοὺ ἐγώ ἀποκρίθητε κατ᾽ ἐμοῦ ἐνώπιον κυρίου καὶ ἐνώπιον χριστοῦ αὐτοῦ μόσχον τίνος εἴληφα ἢ ὄνον τίνος εἴληφα ἢ τίνα κατεδυνάστευσα ὑμῶν ἢ τίνα ἐξεπίεσα ἢ ἐκ χειρὸς τίνος εἴληφα ἐξίλασμα καὶ ὑπόδημα ἀποκρίθητε κατ᾽ ἐμοῦ καὶ ἀποδώσω ὑμῖν KJV 1 Samuel 12:3 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. NET 1 Samuel 12:3 Here I am. Bring a charge against me before the LORD and before his chosen king. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I wronged? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I taken a bribe so that I would overlook something? Tell me, and I will return it to you!" CSB 1 Samuel 12:3 Here I am. Bring charges against me before the LORD and His anointed: Whose ox or donkey have I taken? Whom have I wronged or mistreated? From whose hand have I taken a bribe to overlook something? I will return it to you." ESV 1 Samuel 12:3 Here I am; testify against me before the LORD and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? Testify against me and I will restore it to you." NIV 1 Samuel 12:3 Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the LORD and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? From whose hand have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these, I will make it right." NLT 1 Samuel 12:3 Now testify against me in the presence of the LORD and before his anointed one. Whose ox or donkey have I stolen? Have I ever cheated any of you? Have I ever oppressed you? Have I ever taken a bribe and perverted justice? Tell me and I will make right whatever I have done wrong." NRS 1 Samuel 12:3 Here I am; testify against me before the LORD and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? Testify against me and I will restore it to you." YLT 1 Samuel 12:3 'Lo, here am I; testify against me, over-against Jehovah, and over-against His anointed; whose ox have I taken, and whose ass have I taken, and whom have I oppressed; whom have I bruised, and of whose hand have I taken a ransom, and hide mine eyes with it? -- and I restore to you.' anointed: 1Sa 12:5 10:1 24:6 2Sa 1:14-16 Mt 22:21 Ro 13:1-7 whose ox: Nu 16:15 Ac 20:33 2Co 12:14 1Th 2:5,10 1Pe 5:2 blind my eyes:Ex 23:8 De 16:19 I will: Ex 22:4 Lev 6:4 Lu 19:8 Related Passage: 1 Samuel 3:4 that the LORD called Samuel; and he said, “Here I am.” (SAMUEL'S "WATCHWORD!" SO TO SPEAK) SAMUEL PRESENTS HIMSELF AS AN "OPEN BOOK" Here I am - These words could have been stamped on Samuel's "business card," for they emphasized his availability first to God and then to service to God's people (see 1Sa 3:4, 5, 6, 8, 16+). Samuel the judge of all Israel is placing himself on trial before all Israel. THOUGHT - I don't know your position (pastor, elder, teacher, usher, etc), but Samuel's example begs the question - Would I be willing to voluntarily (that's redundant I realize) place myself on "trial" before the congregation? Just a thought to ponder and to motivate all of us to "Pursue (present imperative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey) peace with all men, and the sanctification (holiness) without which no one will see the Lord." (Heb 12:14+) and to "cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2Cor 7:1+) Amen? Amen! bear witness (testify) against me before the LORD and His anointed - Samuel challenges the people to lay a charge against him and to do so in the presence of God and God's anointed king. Whose ox have I taken, or whose donkey have I taken, or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed, or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? I will restore it to you - He asks two essentially rhetorical questions and even affirming he would restore anything he might have taken. Samuel would have made a good overseer for he was truly a man "above reproach." (1Ti 3:2+) Robert Bergen - If he had failed to live up to Moses’ example (cf. Nu 16:15) or had violated the Torah’s standards of conduct (cf. Lev 6:2, 4 [Hb. 5:21, 23]; Deut 16:19), he would “make it right” (v. 3) at this time. (Borrow 1 & 2 Samuel - New American Commentary) 1 Samuel 12:4 They said, "You have not defrauded us or oppressed us or taken anything from any man's hand." BGT 1 Samuel 12:4 καὶ εἶπαν πρὸς Σαμουηλ οὐκ ἠδίκησας ἡμᾶς καὶ οὐ κατεδυνάστευσας καὶ οὐκ ἔθλασας ἡμᾶς καὶ οὐκ εἴληφας ἐκ χειρὸς οὐδενὸς οὐδέν KJV 1 Samuel 12:4 And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man's hand. NET 1 Samuel 12:4 They replied, "You have not wronged us or oppressed us. You have not taken anything from the hand of anyone." CSB 1 Samuel 12:4 "You haven't wronged us, you haven't mistreated us, and you haven't taken anything from anyone's hand," they responded. ESV 1 Samuel 12:4 They said, "You have not defrauded us or oppressed us or taken anything from any man's hand." NIV 1 Samuel 12:4 "You have not cheated or oppressed us," they replied. "You have not taken anything from anyone's hand." NLT 1 Samuel 12:4 "No," they replied, "you have never cheated or oppressed us, and you have never taken even a single bribe." NRS 1 Samuel 12:4 They said, "You have not defrauded us or oppressed us or taken anything from the hand of anyone." YLT 1 Samuel 12:4 And they say, 'Thou hast not oppressed us, nor hast thou crushed us, nor hast thou taken from the hand of any one anything.' Ps 37:5,6 Da 6:4 3Jn 1:12 THE PEOPLE AGREE SAMUEL IS "SPOTLESS" They said, "You have not defrauded (ashaq; Lxx - adikeo - done [no] wrong) us or oppressed us or taken anything from any man's hand." (contra his sons 1Sa 8:3+) - All Israel unanimously attested to Samuel's integrity. That in itself is an amazing statement! Very few of us could attain such status with everyone. Bergen points out the prophetic implications of Samuel's claim of innocence as Israel's judge - The example of Israel’s last Judge would thus contrast sharply with that of Israel’s kings, who would often cheat and oppress them and would take the people’s sons, daughters, produce, and animals (cf. 1Sa 8:11-16; 14:52). (Borrow 1 & 2 Samuel - New American Commentary) Defrauded (oppressed) (06231) ashaq means to oppress, to extort, to defraud. The root word is concerned with acts of abuse of power or authority, the burdening, trampling, and crushing of those lower in station (half the uses are in the context of poverty). Ashaq speaks of harshness or roughness and often embodies use of force or violence. Ashaq is used especially of oppression of the disadvantaged members of society causing them to suffer unjust, ill treatment and, in a number of contexts, doing so for monetary gain (1Ch 16:21; Job 10:3; Ps 72:4; 105:14; 119:121, 122; Pr 14:31; 22:16; 28:3; Eccl 4:1; Isa 23:12; 52:4; Jer 7:6; 21:12; Ezek 22:29; Am 4:1; Zec 7:10). The connection between ashaq and divine justice is made clear in Ps 103:6. Related Resources: Integrity - A Whole Heart Daniel a Man of Integrity 1 Samuel 12:5 He said to them, "The LORD is witness against you, and His anointed is witness this day that you have found nothing in my hand." And they said, "He is witness." BGT 1 Samuel 12:5 καὶ εἶπεν Σαμουηλ πρὸς τὸν λαόν μάρτυς κύριος ἐν ὑμῖν καὶ μάρτυς χριστὸς αὐτοῦ σήμερον ἐν ταύτῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ ὅτι οὐχ εὑρήκατε ἐν χειρί μου οὐθέν καὶ εἶπαν μάρτυς KJV 1 Samuel 12:5 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. NET 1 Samuel 12:5 He said to them, "The LORD is witness against you, and his chosen king is witness this day, that you have not found any reason to accuse me." They said, "He is witness!" CSB 1 Samuel 12:5 He said to them, "The LORD is a witness against you, and His anointed is a witness today that you haven't found anything in my hand." "He is a witness," they said. ESV 1 Samuel 12:5 And he said to them, "The LORD is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand." And they said, "He is witness." NIV 1 Samuel 12:5 Samuel said to them, "The LORD is witness against you, and also his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand." "He is witness," they said. NLT 1 Samuel 12:5 "The LORD and his anointed one are my witnesses today," Samuel declared, "that my hands are clean." "Yes, he is a witness," they replied. NRS 1 Samuel 12:5 He said to them, "The LORD is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand." And they said, "He is witness." YLT 1 Samuel 12:5 And he saith unto them, 'A witness is Jehovah against you: and a witness is His anointed this day, that ye have not found anything in my hand;' and they say, 'A witness.' The Lord: Job 31:35-40 42:7 His anointed: 1Sa 26:9 have: Joh 18:38 Ac 23:9 24:16,20 1Co 4:4 2Co 1:12 in my hand: Ex 22:4 Ps 17:3 SAMUEL ATTESTS HIS HANDS ARE CLEAN He said to them, "The LORD is witness against you, and His anointed is witness this day that you have found nothing in my hand." And they said, "He is witness." - Samuel calls on 2 witnesses to defend his testimony. The people receive Samuel's testimony and acknowledge that God Himself has witnessed it. It is a true, believable testimony. 1 Samuel 12:6 Then Samuel said to the people, "It is the LORD who appointed Moses and Aaron and who brought your fathers up from the land of Egypt. BGT 1 Samuel 12:6 καὶ εἶπεν Σαμουηλ πρὸς τὸν λαὸν λέγων μάρτυς κύριος ὁ ποιήσας τὸν Μωυσῆν καὶ τὸν Ααρων ὁ ἀναγαγὼν τοὺς πατέρας ἡμῶν ἐξ Αἰγύπτου KJV 1 Samuel 12:6 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. NET 1 Samuel 12:6 Samuel said to the people, "The LORD is the one who chose Moses and Aaron and who brought your ancestors up from the land of Egypt. CSB 1 Samuel 12:6 Then Samuel said to the people, "The LORD, who appointed Moses and Aaron and who brought your ancestors up from the land of Egypt, is a witness. ESV 1 Samuel 12:6 And Samuel said to the people, "The LORD is witness, who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt. NIV 1 Samuel 12:6 Then Samuel said to the people, "It is the LORD who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your forefathers up out of Egypt. NLT 1 Samuel 12:6 "It was the LORD who appointed Moses and Aaron," Samuel continued. "He brought your ancestors out of the land of Egypt. NRS 1 Samuel 12:6 Samuel said to the people, "The LORD is witness, who appointed Moses and Aaron and brought your ancestors up out of the land of Egypt. YLT 1 Samuel 12:6 And Samuel saith unto the people, 'Jehovah -- He who made Moses and Aaron, and who brought up your fathers out of the land of Egypt! It is the Lord: Ex 6:26 Ne 9:9-14 Ps 77:19,20 78:12-72 99:6 105:26,41 Isa 63:7-14 Ho 12:13 Mic 6:4 SAMUEL REMINDS THEM OF GOD'S APPOINTMENTS Beginning in v6 through v17 is the longest discourse of Samuel in the Bible and it is one of his most dramatic and powerful! Brian Bell - The 1 thing we learn from history is that we don’t learn from history, & Samuel didn’t want his people to make that mistake! 1. But this wasn’t just a lecture from history; It was also a court trial! 2. In 1Sa 12:7 Samuel uses words with a judicial flavor: a) Stand still - carries the idea of “stand up, court is in session.” b) Reason - means “to decide a case of litigation.” (1) Samuel was going to prove to the people that the Lord had been righteous & faithful in all His dealings w/Israel, but that the Jews had been faithless & disobedient. Then Samuel said to the people, "It is the LORD who appointed Moses and Aaron and who brought your fathers up from the land of Egypt - It was God not the people, who appointed Moses and Aaron and Who enabled them to do the mighty works they did for the people of Israel. This is similar to 1 Samuel 10:18 "and he said to the sons of Israel, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘I brought Israel up from Egypt, and I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the power of all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.’ Notice the pattern that God accomplished the deliverance (God's sovereignty) using human instruments (Man's responsibility)! And note He did not need a human king to accomplish His ends! 1 Samuel 12:7 "So now, take your stand, that I may plead with you before the LORD concerning all the righteous acts of the LORD which He did for you and your fathers. BGT 1 Samuel 12:7 καὶ νῦν κατάστητε καὶ δικάσω ὑμᾶς ἐνώπιον κυρίου καὶ ἀπαγγελῶ ὑμῖν τὴν πᾶσαν δικαιοσύνην κυρίου ἃ ἐποίησεν ἐν ὑμῖν καὶ ἐν τοῖς πατράσιν ὑμῶν KJV 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, which he did to you and to your fathers. NET 1 Samuel 12:7 Now take your positions, so I may confront you before the LORD regarding all the LORD's just actions toward you and your ancestors. CSB 1 Samuel 12:7 Now present yourselves, so I may confront you before the LORD about all the righteous acts He has done for you and your ancestors. ESV 1 Samuel 12:7 Now therefore stand still that I may plead with you before the LORD concerning all the righteous deeds of the LORD that he performed for you and for your fathers. NIV 1 Samuel 12:7 Now then, stand here, because I am going to confront you with evidence before the LORD as to all the righteous acts performed by the LORD for you and your fathers. NLT 1 Samuel 12:7 Now stand here quietly before the LORD as I remind you of all the great things the LORD has done for you and your ancestors. NRS 1 Samuel 12:7 Now therefore take your stand, so that I may enter into judgment with you before the LORD, and I will declare to you all the saving deeds of the LORD that he performed for you and for your ancestors. YLT 1 Samuel 12:7 and, now, station yourselves, and I judge you before Jehovah, with all the righteous acts of Jehovah, which He did with you, and with your fathers. plead: Isa 1:18 5:3,4 Eze 18:25-30 Mic 6:2,3 Ac 17:3 righteous acts:Jdg 5:11 SAMUEL BEGINS A PANORAMA OF GOD'S RIGHTEOUS ACTS So now - Samuel begins his prophetic panorama (Greek pas "all" + horama "view") which "is any wide-angle view or representation of a physical space, whether in painting, drawing, photography, film, seismic images, or 3D modeling. The word was originally coined in the 18th century[1] by the English painter Robert Barker to describe his panoramic paintings of Edinburgh and London. The motion-picture term panning is derived from panorama.[2] Samuel is now going to present a divine "panavision" of God's acts in Israel's history. take your stand, that I may plead with you before the LORD concerning all the righteous acts of the LORD which He did for you and your father - NIV = Now then, stand here, because I am going to confront you with evidence' NLT = Now stand here quietly before the LORD as I remind you of all the great things the LORD has done for you and your ancestors." Samuel is going to replay for Israel God's greatness which heightens their sin of rejecting Him. All the righteous acts of the LORD he will now present to his listeners were all accomplished WITHOUT a human king. 1 Samuel 12:8 "When Jacob went into Egypt and your fathers cried out to the LORD, then the LORD sent Moses and Aaron who brought your fathers out of Egypt and settled them in this place. BGT 1 Samuel 12:8 ὡς εἰσῆλθεν Ιακωβ καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ αὐτοῦ εἰς Αἴγυπτον καὶ ἐταπείνωσεν αὐτοὺς Αἴγυπτος καὶ ἐβόησαν οἱ πατέρες ἡμῶν πρὸς κύριον καὶ ἀπέστειλεν κύριος τὸν Μωυσῆν καὶ τὸν Ααρων καὶ ἐξήγαγεν τοὺς πατέρας ἡμῶν ἐξ Αἰγύπτου καὶ κατῴκισεν αὐτοὺς ἐν τῷ τόπῳ τούτῳ KJV 1 Samuel 12:8 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. NET 1 Samuel 12:8 When Jacob entered Egypt, your ancestors cried out to the LORD. The LORD sent Moses and Aaron, and they led your ancestors out of Egypt and settled them in this place. CSB 1 Samuel 12:8 "When Jacob went to Egypt, your ancestors cried out to the LORD, and He sent them Moses and Aaron, who led your ancestors out of Egypt and settled them in this place. ESV 1 Samuel 12:8 When Jacob went into Egypt, and the Egyptians oppressed them, then your fathers cried out to the LORD and the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, who brought your fathers out of Egypt and made them dwell in this place. NIV 1 Samuel 12:8 "After Jacob entered Egypt, they cried to the LORD for help, and the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, who brought your forefathers out of Egypt and settled them in this place. NLT 1 Samuel 12:8 "When the Israelites were in Egypt and cried out to the LORD, he sent Moses and Aaron to rescue them from Egypt and to bring them into this land. NRS 1 Samuel 12:8 When Jacob went into Egypt and the Egyptians oppressed them, then your ancestors cried to the LORD and the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, who brought forth your ancestors out of Egypt, and settled them in this place. YLT 1 Samuel 12:8 'When Jacob hath come in to Egypt, and your fathers cry unto Jehovah, then Jehovah sendeth Moses and Aaron, and they bring out your fathers from Egypt, and cause them to dwell in this place, Jacob: Ge 46:5-7 Nu 20:15 Ac 7:15 cried: Ex 2:23-24 Ex 3:9 sent Moses: 1Sa 12:6 Ex 3:10 4:14-16,27-31 6:26 brought: Ex 12:51 14:30,31 settled them: Jos 1:2-4,6 3:10-13 Ps 44:1-3 78:54,55 105:44 Related Passages: Exodus 2:23-24+ Now it came about in the course of those many days that the king of Egypt died. And the sons of Israel sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God. 24 So God heard their groaning; and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (MARK IT DOWN - ALL OF GOD ACTS FOR HIS PEOPLE ARE BASED UPON HIS COVENANTS - ABRAHAMIC IN OLD, NEW COVENANT IN THE NEW!) Exodus 3:9+ “Now, behold, the cry of the sons of Israel has come to Me; furthermore, I have seen the oppression with which the Egyptians are oppressing them. SUMMARY OF GOD'S ACTS FOR THE NATION When Jacob went into Egypt and your fathers cried out to the LORD, then the LORD sent Moses and Aaron who brought your fathers out of Egypt and settled them in this place - Samuel sweeps from the Exodus to the entrance of Israel into the promised land, emphasizing the strong arm of the LORD rescuing them over and over. Note Samuel's emphasis of Yahweh's sufficiency -- Israel cried, God rescued and God planted them in the promised land, all without their having a human king, again emphasizing the foundational truth of God's sovereignty and man's responsibility (privilege). 1 Samuel 12:9 "But they forgot the LORD their God, so He sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the army of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them. NET 1 Samuel 12:9 "But they forgot the LORD their God, so he gave them into the hand of Sisera, the general in command of Hazor's army, and into the hand of the Philistines and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them. CSB 1 Samuel 12:9 But they forgot the LORD their God, so He handed them over to Sisera commander of the army of Hazor, to the Philistines, and to the king of Moab. These enemies fought against them. ESV 1 Samuel 12:9 But they forgot the LORD their God. And he sold them into the hand of Sisera, commander of the army of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab. And they fought against them. NIV 1 Samuel 12:9 "But they forgot the LORD their God; so he sold them into the hand of Sisera, the commander of the army of Hazor, and into the hands of the Philistines and the king of Moab, who fought against them. NLT 1 Samuel 12:9 But the people soon forgot about the LORD their God, so he handed them over to Sisera, the commander of Hazor's army, and also to the Philistines and to the king of Moab, who fought against them. NRS 1 Samuel 12:9 But they forgot the LORD their God; and he sold them into the hand of Sisera, commander of the army of King Jabin of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab; and they fought against them. RSV 1 Samuel 12:9 But they forgot the LORD their God; and he sold them into the hand of Sisera, commander of the army of Jabin king of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab; and they fought against them. YLT 1 Samuel 12:9 and they forget Jehovah their God, and He selleth them into the hand of Sisera, head of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fight against them, NJB 1 Samuel 12:9 They then forgot Yahweh their God and he sold them into the power of Sisera, general of the army of Hazor, and also into the power of the Philistines and of the king of Moab, who made war on them. NAB 1 Samuel 12:9 But they forgot the LORD their God; and he allowed them to fall into the clutches of Sisera, the captain of the army of Jabin, king of Hazor, into the grasp of the Philistines, and into the grip of the king of Moab, who made war against them. LXE 1 Samuel 12:9 And they forgot the Lord their God, and he sold them into the hands of Sisara captain of the host of Jabis king of Asor, and into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the king of Moab; and he fought with them. forgot: De 32:18 Jdg 3:7 Ps 106:21 Jer 2:32 sold: De 32:30 Jdg 2:14 3:8 4:2 Isa 50:1,2 Philistines: Jdg 10:7 13:1 into the: Jdg 3:12 Isa 63:10 Related Passages: Deuteronomy 4:9 “Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that (PURPOSE) you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons. Deuteronomy 4:23 “So watch yourselves, that (PURPOSE) you do not forget the covenant of the LORD your God which He made with you, and make for yourselves a graven image in the form of anything against which the LORD your God has commanded you. Deuteronomy 6:12 then watch yourself, that (PURPOSE) you do not forget the LORD who brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. Deuteronomy 8:11-14 “Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today; 12 otherwise, when you have eaten and are satisfied, and have built good houses and lived in them, (APATHY OF SATISFACTION!) 13 and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and gold multiply, and all that you have multiplies, 14 then (PROPHECY THAT ISRAEL WOULD FORGET YAHWEH) your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. Deuteronomy 8:19 “It shall come about if you ever forget the LORD your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish. Deuteronomy 9:7 “Remember, do not forget how you provoked the LORD your God to wrath in the wilderness; from the day that you left the land of Egypt until you arrived at this place, you have been rebellious against the LORD. Deuteronomy 25:19 “Therefore it shall come about when the LORD your God has given you rest from all your surrounding enemies, in the land which the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance to possess, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven; you must not forget. Deuteronomy 32:18 “You neglected the Rock who begot you, And forgot the God who gave you birth. THE CONSEQUENCES OF FORGETTING THEIR HUSBAND! But - Tragic term of contrast. Despite all that God had done for them, they forgot! Not just once, but over and over! Meditate on some of the passages above and remember many times the behavior of Israel in the Old Testament is a "picture" of our fallen flesh! Prone to wander, Lord I feel it...! They forgot (shakach/shakah; Lxx = epilanthanomai = completely forgot!!!) the LORD their God - They forgot God but He did not forget Israel, nor His covenant with Israel. Recall that Israel is depicted as His wife (See Israel, the Wife of Jehovah) and when they said "I will" (actually doing do TWICE!) at Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:3, 7+), they entered into what in effect was their "marriage covenant" with Jehovah. This covenant bound them to be obedient to His commandments, but too soon (Ex 32:1-6+ just after they had said "We will"!) and too often (Nu 25:1-4+ just before they entered the "Promised Land") they forgot Who their Husband was, forsook Him and went a whoring (Exodus 34:15-16KJV) after the false "lovers" (the pagan gods) of this wicked nations around them. THOUGHT - Forgetfulness of God's person, power, favor, mercy and great acts in our lives is ever (at least potentially) our spiritual "achilles heel!" A good antidote to forgetfulness is continual thankfulness (1Th 5:18+)! What can you (I) tell Him you are grateful for right this very moment? You've just done a little "preventative maintenance" on your (my) fleshly default mode of forgetfulness! An attitude of gratitude is a great way to begin your morning prayers because it immediately get your focus off self and on God! So - This conjunction serves as a term of conclusion, in this case demonstrating the axiomatic conclusion of the consequences of sin against the Almighty God. THOUGHT - It was true in Israel's case and it is true in our lives, beloved follower of Jesus. Do not ever presume on His grace and mercy when you are tempted to commit a presumptuous sin! Pray (often as I do because I need to) the prayer of David in Psalm 19:13+ "keep back Thy servant from presumptuous sins. Let them not rule over me (NOTE WHAT SUCH SIN SEEK TO DO IN OUR LIFE - RULE AND REIGN - see Ro 6:12+). Then I will be blameless, And I shall be acquitted of great transgression." He sold (gave) them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the army of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them - He sold them into the hand means God gave Israel over to the power of the pagan nations. God actually "sold" His treasured possession (Ex 19:5NIV) to the pagan, idol worshipping nations. Can you see the dynamic? Israel sought pagan lovers, so He gave them over to those "lovers" even "selling" them or as the Septuagint says giving them up (apodidomi) to the pagan nations, time after time! Robert Bergen - the prophet was careful to clarify the reason for Israel’s need of rescue. It was not because Israel served a weak god; rather, it was because Israel served a jealous and just God (cf. Exod 20:5; Deut 32:4). The nation had broken the first and most important requirement of the Sinai covenant—” they forgot the Lord their God” (v. 9; cf. Deut 8:11). Having done so, the Lord brought upon them one of the prescribed penalties of the covenant, foreign oppression (cf. Deut 28:25, 29, 33); (Borrow 1 & 2 Samuel - New American Commentary) Forgot (07911) shakach/shakah means to forget, ignore, to cease to care, (Niphal) to be forgotten, (Piel) to cause to forget, (Hiphil) to make or cause to forget, (Hithpael) to be forgotten. Shakach/shakah "indicates that something has been lost to memory, or a period of time has softened the memory of it....It is an especially important word with respect to God and His people: God never forgets them (Isa. 49:15); they are not to forget their God, His covenant, and His deeds (Deut. 4:9, 23, 31; 6:12; 8:11; 9:7; 25:19; 32:18). But God does not pass over, wink at, or forget the wickedness of His people (Lam. 5:20; Amos 8:7). Those who forget God wither away (Job 8:13), as well as all the nations who forget Him. The helpless must not be left alone (Ps. 10:12). God’s Law must not be forgotten (Ps. 119:61, 83, 93). Wisdom’s teachings are not to be forgotten (Prov. 3:1; 4:5)." (Warren Baker - The Complete Word Study Dictionary: OT) Shakach - 101x in 95v - ever forget(1), forget(47), forgets(3), forgot(10), forgotten(39), who forget(1). Gen. 27:45; Gen. 40:23; Gen. 41:30; Deut. 4:9; Deut. 4:23; Deut. 4:31; Deut. 6:12; Deut. 8:11; Deut. 8:14; Deut. 8:19; Deut. 9:7; Deut. 24:19; Deut. 25:19; Deut. 26:13; Deut. 31:21; Deut. 32:18; Jdg. 3:7; 1 Sam. 1:11; 1 Sam. 12:9; 2 Ki. 17:38; Job 8:13; Job 9:27; Job 11:16; Job 19:14; Job 24:20; Job 28:4; Job 39:15; Ps. 9:12; Ps. 9:18; Ps. 10:11; Ps. 10:12; Ps. 13:1; Ps. 31:12; Ps. 42:9; Ps. 44:17; Ps. 44:20; Ps. 44:24; Ps. 45:10; Ps. 50:22; Ps. 59:11; Ps. 74:19; Ps. 74:23; Ps. 77:9; Ps. 78:7; Ps. 78:11; Ps. 102:4; Ps. 103:2; Ps. 106:13; Ps. 106:21; Ps. 119:16; Ps. 119:61; Ps. 119:83; Ps. 119:93; Ps. 119:109; Ps. 119:139; Ps. 119:141; Ps. 119:153; Ps. 119:176; Ps. 137:5; Prov. 2:17; Prov. 3:1; Prov. 4:5; Prov. 31:5; Prov. 31:7; Eccl. 2:16; Eccl. 8:10; Eccl. 9:5; Isa. 17:10; Isa. 23:15; Isa. 23:16; Isa. 49:14; Isa. 49:15; Isa. 51:13; Isa. 54:4; Isa. 65:16; Jer. 2:32; Jer. 3:21; Jer. 13:25; Jer. 18:15; Jer. 20:11; Jer. 23:27; Jer. 23:40; Jer. 30:14; Jer. 44:9; Jer. 50:5; Jer. 50:6; Lam. 2:6; Lam. 5:20; Ezek. 22:12; Ezek. 23:35; Hos. 2:13; Hos. 4:6; Hos. 8:14; Hos. 13:6; Amos 8:7 1 Samuel 12:10 "They cried out to the LORD and said, 'We have sinned because we have forsaken the LORD and have served the Baals and the Ashtaroth; but now deliver us from the hands of our enemies, and we will serve You.' BGT 1 Samuel 12:10 καὶ ἐβόησαν πρὸς κύριον καὶ ἔλεγον ἡμάρτομεν ὅτι ἐγκατελίπομεν τὸν κύριον καὶ ἐδουλεύσαμεν τοῖς Βααλιμ καὶ τοῖς ἄλσεσιν καὶ νῦν ἐξελοῦ ἡμᾶς ἐκ χειρὸς ἐχθρῶν ἡμῶν καὶ δουλεύσομέν σοι KJV 1 Samuel 12:10 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. NET 1 Samuel 12:10 Then they cried out to the LORD and admitted, 'We have sinned, for we have forsaken the LORD and have served the Baals and the images of Ashtoreth. Now deliver us from the hand of our enemies so that we may serve you.' CSB 1 Samuel 12:10 Then they cried out to the LORD and said, 'We have sinned, for we abandoned the LORD and worshiped the Baals and the Ashtoreths. Now deliver us from the power of our enemies, and we will serve You.' ESV 1 Samuel 12:10 And they cried out to the LORD and said, 'We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD and have served the Baals and the Ashtaroth. But now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, that we may serve you.' NIV 1 Samuel 12:10 They cried out to the LORD and said, 'We have sinned; we have forsaken the LORD and served the Baals and the Ashtoreths. But now deliver us from the hands of our enemies, and we will serve you.' NLT 1 Samuel 12:10 "Then they cried to the LORD again and confessed, 'We have sinned by turning away from the LORD and worshiping the images of Baal and Ashtoreth. But we will worship you and you alone if you will rescue us from our enemies.' NRS 1 Samuel 12:10 Then they cried to the LORD, and said, 'We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD, and have served the Baals and the Astartes; but now rescue us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve you.' YLT 1 Samuel 12:10 and they cry unto Jehovah, and say, We have sinned, because we have forsaken Jehovah, and serve the Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and now, deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we serve Thee. And they: 1Sa 7:2 Jdg 3:9,15 Jdg 4:3 6:7 10:10,15 Ps 78:34,35 106:44 Isa 26:16 Baals Jdg 2:13 Jdg 3:7 deliver: Jdg 10:15,16 Isa 33:22 Lu 1:74,75 2Co 5:14,15 Related Passages: Judges 2:10-16+ All that generation (THE ONE CONTEMPORANEOUS WITH JOSHUA) also were gathered to their fathers; and there arose another generation after them who did not know (SPEAKS OF INTIMATE PERSONAL KNOWING OF) the LORD (THEY WERE NOT BELIEVERS FOR THE MOST PART), nor yet the work which He had done for Israel. 11 Then (WHEN? WHEN THEY FORGOT GOD!) the sons of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD and served the Baals, 12 and they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods from among the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed themselves down to them; thus they provoked the LORD to anger. 13 So they forsook the LORD and served Baal and the Ashtaroth. 14 The anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He gave them into the hands of plunderers who plundered them; and He sold them into the hands of their enemies around them, so that they could no longer stand before their enemies. 15 Wherever they went, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had spoken and as the LORD had sworn to them, so that they were severely distressed. 16 Then (WHEN? WHEN THEY CRIED OUT) the LORD raised up judges who delivered them from the hands of those who plundered them A DESCRIPTION OF THE BOOK OF JUDGES They cried out to the LORD and said, 'We have sinned because we have forsaken ('azab; Lxx = egkataleipo = abandon completely) the LORD and have served (abad; Lxx = douleuo) the Baals and the Ashtaroth; but now deliver (natsal; Lxx = exaireo - rescue) us from the hands (~power) of our enemies, and we will serve (abad; Lxx = douleuo) You (cf Mt 6:24+) - For the diagnosis of national sin, the prescription is to cry out! (DO YOU HEAR THAT AMERICA - 2023?) See representative passage above for more detail. Yahweh rescued Israel in response to their prayers and repentance (read also 1Sa 7:3-14+). This passage recalls the repetitive "sin cycle" (see diagram above) in which Israel fell into idolatry, were enslaved by the idols, and came to realize their only escape was to humble themselves and cry out to God for deliverance. Note they vow we will serve God, but after a variable period they would fall back into the trap of idolatry! And these cycles of sin lasted for almost 300 years which is about 25% of Israel's entire history in the Old Testament! Sin is deceptive and costly! THOUGHT - Are you currently experiencing the discipling hand of the LORD? CONFESS, REPENT, CRY OUT TO THE HEAVENLY FATHER! Forsaken (left) (05800) 'azab basically means to depart from something -- to leave, to forsake (48x), to leave (26x; "left" 22x), to loose, to depart, to abandon. Things that can left behind or forsaken include persons (Ge 44:22; Nu 10:30; Ru 1:16; 2Ki4:30), people who should left behind (Ge 2:24); places (2Ki 8:6; Jer 18:14; 25:38) and objects (Ge 39:12,13; 50:8; Ex 9:21). Men can forsake God (apostatize) (Dt 28:20, 31:16, Jer 1:16), can abandon qualities of virtue (1Ki 12:8, 2Chr 10:8, 13), the way (of righteousness) (Pr 15:10), instruction/wisdom (Pr 4:2, 6), reproof (Pr 10:17 - "ignore" = forsake), kindness (lovingkindness, faithfulness) (Pr 3:3). God promises to not forsake His people (Ge 24:27, 28:15, Dt 31:6,7 contrast what God's people will do = Dt 31:16). In a use similar to Pr 28:13, we are instructed to "forsake wrath." (Ps 37:8) To abandon, reject, desert or leave a former association (1Ki 18:18). Abandoned, deserted or rejected, forsaken (Isa 6:12; 10:14; 17:2, 9; 54:6; 60:15; 62:4; Jer 4:29; Zep 2:4). 1828 Webster - Forsake = To quit or leave entirely; to desert; to abandon; to depart from. 2. To abandon; to renounce; to reject. 3. To leave; to withdraw from; to fail. In anger, the color forsakes the cheeks. In severe trials, let not fortitude forsake you. 4. In scripture, God forsakes his people, when he withdraws his aid, or the light of his countenance. Served (become enslaved, worshiped) (05647) abad means to work (to cultivate, till - Ge 2:5, 15 - Lxx = ergazomai before the fall! Ge 3:23 after the fall, Lxx = ergazomai), to serve (be enslaved or hold in bondage - Ex 6:6 - Lxx = katadouloo = make a slave; Lev 25:38, 39 Lxx = douleuo)(Ge 14:4, 15:13, 14 - Lxx = douleuo), worship. Labor (as when Israel was in Egyptian bondage - Ex 1:13,14 but same word abad translated worship after redemption Ex 3:12, 7:16, 8:1, 8:20, 9:1, et al where Lxx = latreuo). 1 Samuel 12:11 "Then the LORD sent Jerubbaal and Bedan and Jephthah and Samuel, and delivered you from the hands of your enemies all around, so that you lived in security. BGT 1 Samuel 12:11 καὶ ἀπέστειλεν κύριος τὸν Ιεροβααλ καὶ τὸν Βαρακ (TRANSLATED = BARAK) καὶ τὸν Ιεφθαε καὶ τὸν Σαμουηλ καὶ ἐξείλατο ὑμᾶς ἐκ χειρὸς ἐχθρῶν ὑμῶν τῶν κυκλόθεν καὶ κατῳκεῖτε πεποιθότες KJV 1 Samuel 12:11 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. NET 1 Samuel 12:11 So the LORD sent Jerub-Baal, Barak, Jephthah, and Samuel, and he delivered you from the hand of the enemies all around you, and you were able to live securely. CSB 1 Samuel 12:11 So the LORD sent Jerubbaal, Barak, Jephthah, and Samuel. He rescued you from the power of the enemies around you, and you lived securely. ESV 1 Samuel 12:11 And the LORD sent Jerubbaal and Barak and Jephthah and Samuel and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and you lived in safety. NIV 1 Samuel 12:11 Then the LORD sent Jerub-Baal, Barak, Jephthah and Samuel, and he delivered you from the hands of your enemies on every side, so that you lived securely. NLT 1 Samuel 12:11 Then the LORD sent Gideon, Bedan, Jephthah, and Samuel to save you, and you lived in safety. NRS 1 Samuel 12:11 And the LORD sent Jerubbaal and Barak, and Jephthah, and Samson, and rescued you out of the hand of your enemies on every side; and you lived in safety. YLT 1 Samuel 12:11 'And Jehovah sendeth Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivereth you out of the hand of your enemies round about, and ye dwell confidently. Jerubbaal: Jdg 6:14,32 8:29,35 Bedan: Jdg 13:1-16:31 Jephthah: Jdg 11:1-33 Samuel: 1Sa 7:13 JEHOVAH SENT DELIVERERS Then - Praise God for this "then," marking sequence! The LORD sent Jerubbaal and Bedan and Jephthah and Samuel, and delivered you from the hands of your enemies all around, so that you lived in security - Samuel mentions only a few of the judges who God sent to deliver Israel, Jerubbaal identical with the better known name, Gideon (Jdg. 6:25–32+).. The judge Bedan is not mentioned in the book of Judges, suggesting the possibility there were other judges in that 300 year dark period, but there is another possibility that this was a copyist's error because the Septuagint and Arabic versions both have the name for Barak which is the more likely reading and thus used in the ESV, NET and NIV versions (see above). Samuel of course is the last judge and God used him to provide deliverance Israel experienced in 1 Samuel 7:1-17, so that Israel lived in security for "the Philistines were subdued and they did not come anymore within the border of Israel. And the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel." (1Sa 7:13+). JERUBBAAL [ISBE] - jer-u-ba'-al, je-rub'-a-al (yerubba`al, "let Baal contend"): The name given to Gideon by his father, Joash, and the people in recognition of his destruction of the altar of Baal at Ophrah (Jdg 6:32). For this name the form "Jerubbesheth" (2 Sam 1:21) was substituted after the analogy of "Ishbosheth" and "Mephibosheth," in which bosheth, the Hebrew word for "shame," displaced the word ba`al, no doubt because the name resembled one given in honor of Baal. 1 Samuel 12:12 "When you saw that Nahash the king of the sons of Ammon came against you, you said to me, 'No, but a king shall reign over us,' although the LORD your God was your king. BGT 1 Samuel 12:12 καὶ εἴδετε ὅτι Ναας βασιλεὺς υἱῶν Αμμων ἦλθεν ἐφ᾽ ὑμᾶς καὶ εἴπατε οὐχί ἀλλ᾽ ἢ ὅτι βασιλεὺς βασιλεύσει ἐφ᾽ ἡμῶν καὶ κύριος ὁ θεὸς ἡμῶν βασιλεὺς ἡμῶν KJV 1 Samuel 12:12 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. NET 1 Samuel 12:12 "When you saw that King Nahash of the Ammonites was advancing against you, you said to me, 'No! A king will rule over us'– even though the LORD your God is your king! CSB 1 Samuel 12:12 But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was coming against you, you said to me, 'No, we must have a king rule over us'-- even though the LORD your God is your king. ESV 1 Samuel 12:12 And when you saw that Nahash the king of the Ammonites came against you, you said to me, 'No, but a king shall reign over us,' when the LORD your God was your king. NIV 1 Samuel 12:12 "But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, 'No, we want a king to rule over us'--even though the LORD your God was your king. NLT 1 Samuel 12:12 "But when you were afraid of Nahash, the king of Ammon, you came to me and said that you wanted a king to reign over you, even though the LORD your God was already your king. NRS 1 Samuel 12:12 But when you saw that King Nahash of the Ammonites came against you, you said to me, 'No, but a king shall reign over us,' though the LORD your God was your king. YLT 1 Samuel 12:12 'And ye see that Nahash king of the Bene-Ammon hath come against you, and ye say to me, Nay, but a king doth reign over us; and Jehovah your God is your king! Nahash: 1Sa 11:1,2 No: 1Sa 8:3,5,6,19,20 Jdg 9:18,56,57 when the Lord: 1Sa 8:7 10:19 Ge 17:7 Ex 19:5,6 Nu 23:21 Jdg 8:23 Ps 74:12 Isa 33:22 Ho 13:10 Related Passages: 1 Samuel 8:3 His sons, however, did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after dishonest gain and took bribes and perverted justice. 1 Samuel 8:5-6 and they said to him, “Behold, (#1) you have grown old, and (#2) your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king for us to judge us like all the nations.”6 But the thing was displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the LORD. 1 Samuel 8:19-20 Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to the voice of Samuel, and they said, “No, but there shall be a king over us, 20 that we also may be like all the nations, (#3) that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” THE "SERPENT" SLITHERS INTO ISRAEL When you saw that Nahash ("serpent") the king of the sons of Ammon came against you, you said to me, 'No, but a king shall reign over us,' although the LORD your God was your king - The previous pattern was enemies invade, Israel cries out to God for deliverance, but this time it was cry out to God for a king! This was rebellion and sin against God! This passages takes us back to chapter 8 when Israel told Samuel they wanted a king. This was one of the additional reasons for Israel's desire for a king. In the passages above note the (#1, 2, 3) designations of the 3 reasons Israel wanted a king. Notice #3 is that the "king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” This latter reason appears to be motivated by the stirrings of Nahash who was beginning to come against Israel. They forgot that God their King had delivered them from the hand of the Philistines in 1Sa 7. They also forgot their own history in the book of judges, where God repeatedly raised up a judge to be their deliverer. But they were determined to have a king to reign over them. They were not to be deterred from their stubborn desire. Bergen comments that Samuel pointed out to the people "that fear of an earthly king—Nahash of the Ammonites—had caused the Israelites to turn away from their heavenly King and seek an earthly king to lead them. This lack of trust in their ultimate King was a sin." (Borrow 1 & 2 Second Samuel - Shepherd's Notes) 1 Samuel 12:13 "Now therefore, here is the king whom you have chosen, whom you have asked for, and behold, the LORD has set a king over you. BGT 1 Samuel 12:13 καὶ νῦν ἰδοὺ ὁ βασιλεύς ὃν ἐξελέξασθε καὶ ἰδοὺ δέδωκεν κύριος ἐφ᾽ ὑμᾶς βασιλέα KJV 1 Samuel 12:13 Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you. NET 1 Samuel 12:13 Now look! Here is the king you have chosen– the one that you asked for! Look, the LORD has given you a king! CSB 1 Samuel 12:13 "Now here is the king you've chosen, the one you requested. Look, this is the king the LORD has placed over you. ESV 1 Samuel 12:13 And now behold the king whom you have chosen, for whom you have asked; behold, the LORD has set a king over you. NIV 1 Samuel 12:13 Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you asked for; see, the LORD has set a king over you. NLT 1 Samuel 12:13 All right, here is the king you have chosen. You asked for him, and the LORD has granted your request. NRS 1 Samuel 12:13 See, here is the king whom you have chosen, for whom you have asked; see, the LORD has set a king over you. RSV 1 Samuel 12:13 And now behold the king whom you have chosen, for whom you have asked; behold, the LORD has set a king over you. YLT 1 Samuel 12:13 And, now, lo, the king whom ye have chosen -- whom ye have asked! and lo, Jehovah hath placed over you a king. here is the king: 1Sa 10:24 11:15 whom you have chosen: 1Sa 8:5 9:20 whom you have asked for: Ps 78:29-31 Ho 13:11 Ac 13:21 Related Passages: Psalms 78:29-31 (So they ate and were well filled, And their desire He gave to them. 30 Before they had satisfied their desire, While their food was in their mouths, 31 The anger of God rose against them And killed some of their stoutest ones, And subdued the choice men of Israel. SAMUEL CONCLUDES HIS SPEECH Now therefore - This introduces a strong warning to Israel (1Sa 12:13-25) that speaks to their faithfulness to Yahweh. here is the king whom you have chosen, whom you have asked for, and behold, the LORD has set a king over you - Samuel says God gave you what you wanted. This reminds us of Ps 106:15 "So He gave them their request, But sent a wasting disease among them." Utley interprets the first phrase (whom you have chosen and whom you have asked for) as sarcasm. 1 Samuel 12:14 "If you will fear the LORD and serve Him, and listen to His voice and not rebel against the command of the LORD, then both you and also the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God. BGT 1 Samuel 12:14 ἐὰν φοβηθῆτε τὸν κύριον καὶ δουλεύσητε αὐτῷ καὶ ἀκούσητε τῆς φωνῆς αὐτοῦ καὶ μὴ ἐρίσητε τῷ στόματι κυρίου καὶ ἦτε καὶ ὑμεῖς καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς ὁ βασιλεύων ἐφ᾽ ὑμῶν ὀπίσω κυρίου πορευόμενοι KJV 1 Samuel 12:14 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: NET 1 Samuel 12:14 If you fear the LORD, serving him and obeying him and not rebelling against what he says, and if both you and the king who rules over you follow the LORD your God, all will be well. CSB 1 Samuel 12:14 If you fear the LORD, worship and obey Him, and if you don't rebel against the LORD's command, then both you and the king who rules over you will follow the LORD your God. ESV 1 Samuel 12:14 If you will fear the LORD and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God, it will be well. NIV 1 Samuel 12:14 If you fear the LORD and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the LORD your God--good! NLT 1 Samuel 12:14 "Now if you fear and worship the LORD and listen to his voice, and if you do not rebel against the LORD's commands, then both you and your king will show that you recognize the LORD as your God. NRS 1 Samuel 12:14 If you will fear the LORD and serve him and heed his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God, it will be well; RSV 1 Samuel 12:14 If you will fear the LORD and serve him and hearken to his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God, it will be well; YLT 1 Samuel 12:14 'If ye fear Jehovah, and have served Him, and hearkened to His voice, then ye do not provoke the mouth of Jehovah, and ye have been -- both ye and the king who hath reigned over you -- after Jehovah your God. If: Lev 20:1-13 De 28:1-14 Jos 24:14,20 Ps 81:12-15 Isa 3:10 Ro 2:7 Related Passages: Deuteronomy 30:15-19+ See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and adversity; 16 in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that you may live and multiply, and that the LORD your God may bless you in the land where you are entering to possess it. 17 “But if your heart turns away and you will not obey, but are drawn away and worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today that you shall surely perish. You will not prolong your days in the land where you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess it. 19 “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, SAMUEL'S CONCLUDING WARNING EXHORTATION First the good news, or analogous to the closing speech of Moses when he gave Israel a solemn series of curses and blessings (Dt 28:1-30:20, read Dt 30:15-20+). Samuel's point is that even though Israel had sinned in asking for a king, God would still bestow His favor on them, but there were conditions that he now elucidates. If you will fear the LORD and serve Him, and listen (see shama) to His voice and not rebel against the command of the LORD - Samuel begins with a positive prophetic promise. IF...THEN identifies this as a conditional promise. There are 4 conditions, 3 positive and 1 negative - fear God, serve God, listen to (obey) God, do not rebel against God. While the king is not mentioned in the first clause, clearly the 4 conditions apply to him as well as the people. The king was not immune from God's standards for His people. THOUGHT - A wife who is 85% faithful to her husband is not faithful at all. Thus, There is no such thing as part-time loyalty to Jesus Christ! - Vance Havner Then both you and also the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God - If Israel and their king met the conditions, all would be well with them. 1 Samuel 12:15 "If you will not listen to the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the command of the LORD, then the hand of the LORD will be against you, as it was against your fathers. BGT 1 Samuel 12:15 ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ἀκούσητε τῆς φωνῆς κυρίου καὶ ἐρίσητε τῷ στόματι κυρίου καὶ ἔσται χεὶρ κυρίου ἐπὶ ὑμᾶς καὶ ἐπὶ τὸν βασιλέα ὑμῶν KJV 1 Samuel 12:15 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. NET 1 Samuel 12:15 But if you don't obey the LORD and rebel against what the LORD says, the hand of the LORD will be against both you and your king. CSB 1 Samuel 12:15 However, if you disobey the LORD and rebel against His command, the LORD's hand will be against you and against your ancestors. ESV 1 Samuel 12:15 But if you will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then the hand of the LORD will be against you and your king. NIV 1 Samuel 12:15 But if you do not obey the LORD, and if you rebel against his commands, his hand will be against you, as it was against your fathers. NLT 1 Samuel 12:15 But if you rebel against the LORD's commands and refuse to listen to him, then his hand will be as heavy upon you as it was upon your ancestors. NRS 1 Samuel 12:15 but if you will not heed the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then the hand of the LORD will be against you and your king. YLT 1 Samuel 12:15 'And if ye do not hearken to the voice of Jehovah -- then ye have provoked the mouth of Jehovah, and the hand of Jehovah hath been against you, and against your fathers. But: Lev 26:14-30 De 28:15-68 Jos 24:20 Isa 1:20 3:11 Ro 2:8,9 against: 1Sa 12:9 Related Passages: Exodus 23:21 “Be on your guard before him and obey his voice; do not be rebellious toward him, for he will not pardon your transgression, since My name is in him (Ex 23:20). SAMUEL'S STERN CONCLUDING CONDITIONAL WARNING If you will not listen to (see shama - heed, obey) the voice of the LORD, but rebel (marah) against the command of the LORD - Notice that these are prophetic declarations (identified by "will"). Not listening is tantamount to not obeying God. His voice would include His written word and in the OT days would include His prophets who spoke His words to the people. The opposite of to not listen and obey is to disobey and rebel, to resist authority, in this case the authority of the Almighty God! Moses had warned the First Generation of Israel who had been delivered from bondage in Egypt - “But it shall come about, if you do not obey the LORD your God, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes with which I charge you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you (see Dt 28:16-68+): (Dt 28:15+, see similar warning by Moses in Lev 26:14-30+) Joshua gave a similar warning to the Second Generation of Israel who had entered the promised land - “If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you after He has done good to you.” (Jos 24:20+) Then the hand of the LORD will be against you, as it was against your fathers - If they fail to obey and instead rebel, then they will reap the promise of God's strong hand of discipline will be against Israel as clearly elucidated in the covenant curses in Leviticus 26+ and Deuteronomy 28+. In other words, Samuel's warning is like a "shorthand" version of Moses lengthy discourse on the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience (see preceding comment). Yahweh's hand against your fathers is probably best exemplified by the disbelieving first generation who God punished by making them wander for 40 years in the wilderness until the all died off. Samuel's warnings should have gotten the people's attention. Related Resource: The Hand of the Lord Rebel (04884) marah means to be contentious, rebellious, and openly defiant to an authority by not obeying commands. Most of the uses of marah refer to rebellion by Israel or Judah against Jehovah (exceptions = Dt 21:18, 20, Job 17:2, Job 23:2, Pr 17:11). There is repeated focus on Israel's rebellion in the wilderness after being set free from slavery in Egypt (Nu 20:10, 24; 27:14; Deut 1:26, 43; 9:7, 23), summed up by the statement "You have been rebellious against the LORD from the day I knew you." (Deut 9:24) Marah is used with similar descriptive words - stubborn (Dt 21:18, 20, Jer 5:23, Ps 78:8), to grieve (Isa 63:10, Ps 78:40), to refuse (Isa 1:20, Neh 9:17), to transgress (Lam 3:42), to sin (Ps 78:17), to test (Ps 78:56), to rebel (marad in Neh 9:26), to reject or profane (Ezek 20:13). Marah - 45v - became disobedient(1), bitter(1), disobedient(1), disobeyed(2), provocation(1), rebel(6), rebelled(18), rebellious(12), rebels(2), very rebellious(1). Exod. 23:21; Num. 20:10; Num. 20:24; Num. 27:14; Deut. 1:26; Deut. 1:43; Deut. 9:7; Deut. 9:23; Deut. 9:24; Deut. 21:18; Deut. 21:20; Deut. 31:27; Jos. 1:18; 1 Sam. 12:14; 1 Sam. 12:15; 1 Ki. 13:21; 1 Ki. 13:26; 2 Ki. 14:26; Neh. 9:26; Job 17:2; Ps. 5:10; Ps. 78:8; Ps. 78:17; Ps. 78:40; Ps. 78:56; Ps. 105:28; Ps. 106:7; Ps. 106:33; Ps. 106:43; Ps. 107:11; Isa. 1:20; Isa. 3:8; Isa. 50:5; Isa. 63:10; Jer. 4:17; Jer. 5:23; Lam. 1:18; Lam. 1:20; Lam. 3:42; Ezek. 5:6; Ezek. 20:8; Ezek. 20:13; Ezek. 20:21; Hos. 13:16; Zeph. 3:1 A W Tozer - GOD’S WILL: “OBEY!” If ye will not obey…then shall the hand of the Lord be against you. 1 Samuel 12:15 Independence is a strong human trait, so men and women everywhere bristle when anyone says, “You owe obedience!” In the natural sense, we do not take kindly to the prospect of yielding obedience to anyone. Both Old and New Testaments of the Bible make it plain that sin is disobedience to the law of God. Paul’s picture of sinners in Ephesians concludes that the wrath of God will come upon those who are “the children of disobedience” (2:2–3). So, we live in a generation of men and women alienated from God, and who make a great case for individualism and “the right of self-determination.” The individual’s strong statement is this: “I belong to myself. No one has the authority to require my obedience!” Now, if God had made us to be mere machines, we would not have the power of self-determination. He made us in His image, to be moral creatures with the power, but not the right, to choose evil. We have the right to be good. We never have the right to be bad because God, the Creator, is good. If we choose to be unholy, we are using a right that is not ours! 1 Samuel 12:16 "Even now, take your stand and see this great thing which the LORD will do before your eyes. BGT 1 Samuel 12:16 καὶ νῦν κατάστητε καὶ ἴδετε τὸ ῥῆμα τὸ μέγα τοῦτο ὃ ὁ κύριος ποιήσει ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς ὑμῶν KJV 1 Samuel 12:16 Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes. NET 1 Samuel 12:16 "So now, take your positions and watch this great thing that the LORD is about to do in your sight. CSB 1 Samuel 12:16 "Now, therefore, present yourselves and see this great thing that the LORD will do before your eyes. ESV 1 Samuel 12:16 Now therefore stand still and see this great thing that the LORD will do before your eyes. NIV 1 Samuel 12:16 "Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes! NLT 1 Samuel 12:16 "Now stand here and see the great thing the LORD is about to do. NRS 1 Samuel 12:16 Now therefore take your stand and see this great thing that the LORD will do before your eyes. YLT 1 Samuel 12:16 'Also now, station yourselves and see this great thing which Jehovah is doing before your eyes; stand: 1Sa 12:7 15:16 Ex 14:13,31 SAMUEL PREPARES THEM TO SEE AN AUTHENTICATING SIGN Even now, take your stand and see this great thing which the LORD will do before your eyes - Samuel is about to have all Israel's full attention! Take your stand means to present yourself before the LORD and prepare yourself for a divine sign. Samuel is telling Israel to prepare themselves to see (it is literally something they would be able to see....and hear) a sign from the LORD, which would serve to authenticate the warning he had just given them. Of course Samuel's great hope was that a sign from God would stimulate in them a reverential response to the LORD, a healthy, holy fear! 1 Samuel 12:17 "Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call to the LORD, that He may send thunder and rain. Then you will know and see that your wickedness is great which you have done in the sight of the LORD by asking for yourselves a king." BGT 1 Samuel 12:17 οὐχὶ θερισμὸς πυρῶν σήμερον ἐπικαλέσομαι κύριον καὶ δώσει φωνὰς καὶ ὑετόν καὶ γνῶτε καὶ ἴδετε ὅτι ἡ κακία ὑμῶν μεγάλη ἣν ἐποιήσατε ἐνώπιον κυρίου αἰτήσαντες ἑαυτοῖς βασιλέα KJV 1 Samuel 12:17 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. NET 1 Samuel 12:17 Is this not the time of the wheat harvest? I will call on the LORD so that he makes it thunder and rain. Realize and see what a great sin you have committed before the LORD by asking for a king for yourselves." CSB 1 Samuel 12:17 Isn't the wheat harvest today? I will call on the LORD and He will send thunder and rain, so that you will know and see what a great evil you committed in the LORD's sight by requesting a king for yourselves." ESV 1 Samuel 12:17 Is it not wheat harvest today? I will call upon the LORD, that he may send thunder and rain. And you shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking for yourselves a king." NIV 1 Samuel 12:17 Is it not wheat harvest now? I will call upon the LORD to send thunder and rain. And you will realize what an evil thing you did in the eyes of the LORD when you asked for a king." NLT 1 Samuel 12:17 You know that it does not rain at this time of the year during the wheat harvest. I will ask the LORD to send thunder and rain today. Then you will realize how wicked you have been in asking the LORD for a king!" NRS 1 Samuel 12:17 Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call upon the LORD, that he may send thunder and rain; and you shall know and see that the wickedness that you have done in the sight of the LORD is great in demanding a king for yourselves." YLT 1 Samuel 12:17 is it not wheat-harvest to-day? I call unto Jehovah, and He doth give voices and rain; and know ye and see that your evil is great which ye have done in the eyes of Jehovah, to ask for you a king.' Is it: Pr 26:1 I will call: 1Sa 7:9,10 Jos 10:12 Ps 99:6 Jer 15:1 Jas 5:16-18 your wickedness: 1Sa 8:7 SAMUEL WILL CALL FOR A WARNING SIGN Is it not the wheat harvest today? This is rhetorical. Clearly it was the time of the wheat harvest, late May-early June, which generally is the dry season in Israel. Israel had two rainy seasons, the early rains (yoreh) which occurred in late October; and the latter rains (malqosh), from March to early May. Rains outside of the early and latter rainy season was rare. Proverbs 26:1 declares "Like snow in summer and like rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool." In other words honor is not fitting for a fool and neither is rain for the time of harvest. I will call to the LORD, that He may send thunder and rain - Samuel is saying his prayer to Yahweh will be answered with the sign of rain and thunder in this time when those events are unlikely. Samuel prays up a storm during the dry season of wheat harvest. -- Brian Bell