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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
Summary of 1 Samuel Chapter 12
1 Samuel Chapter 12 is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Israel’s transition from a theocracy to a monarchy. The chapter features a speech by the prophet Samuel, who addresses the Israelites after they have chosen a king. Samuel reflects on his leadership, the nature of kingship, and the consequences of Israel’s demand for a king.
Key Themes
- Leadership and Accountability: Samuel emphasizes his integrity and the accountability of leaders.
- Divine Sovereignty vs. Human Kingship: The chapter explores the tension between God as the ultimate ruler and the desire for a human king.
- Consequences of Rejection: Samuel warns the people about the consequences of rejecting God’s rule.
- Call to Faithfulness: The importance of remaining faithful to God is highlighted throughout the chapter.
Detailed Analysis
Samuel’s Address (Verses 1-5)
In the opening verses, Samuel presents himself before the people to address their request for a king. He calls upon them to testify against him, highlighting his purity and dedication during his time as a leader.
- Samuel asks if he has wronged anyone, emphasizing his role as a just leader.
- The people affirm his integrity, acknowledging that he has not defrauded or oppressed them.
- This establishes Samuel’s credibility as he transitions the leadership to Saul, the newly appointed king.
God’s Deliverance and Israel’s History (Verses 6-11)
Samuel recounts the history of Israel, reminding the people of God’s faithfulness in delivering them from oppression. He recounts significant events:
- The oppression by the Egyptians and their deliverance.
- The cycles of disobedience and repentance throughout Israel’s history.
- The role of judges and the divine intervention in times of crisis.
This historical reflection serves to remind the Israelites of God’s sovereignty and their need for His guidance.
The Warning Against Rejection (Verses 12-15)
Samuel confronts the Israelites about their choice to demand a king, indicating that their request is a rejection of God’s rule. He outlines the conditions of their kingship:
- If they fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully, they will be blessed.
- If they disobey, they will face consequences, including the potential loss of their king.
This warning emphasizes the conditional nature of God’s blessings based on the people’s faithfulness.
The Sign of Thunder and Rain (Verses 16-18)
To validate his message, Samuel calls upon God to send a sign of thunder and rain during the wheat harvest, an unusual occurrence. This sign serves two purposes:
- It demonstrates God’s power and authority over nature.
- It instills fear in the people, reinforcing the seriousness of their actions against God.
Encouragement and Exhortation (Verses 19-25)
After the sign, the people express their fear of God’s wrath. Samuel reassures them, encouraging them to continue serving the Lord wholeheartedly. He emphasizes:
- The importance of not turning away from God.
- The role of prayer and intercession on behalf of the people.
- The assurance that God will not forsake them despite their mistakes.
Samuel concludes with a strong admonition against continuing in sin, warning that it will lead to their destruction.
Conclusion
1 Samuel Chapter 12 serves as a crucial reminder of the relationship between God and His people. It highlights the importance of leadership, the consequences of choices made in disregard of divine authority, and the call to remain faithful to God. Samuel’s farewell address encapsulates the essence of Israel’s identity and their need for a faithful relationship with their God, even as they navigate the complexities of human kingship.
