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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.

1. Samuel spoke to the Israelites, "Listen, I have paid attention to all that you have told me and have given you a king.

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.

2. From now on, the king is here to lead you. As for me, I am old and my hair gray. My sons are with you. I have led you from my youth, and I have done so until 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.

3. Now, I am here. Answer me before Yahweh and his anointed: Whose ox have I taken? Whose ass have I stolen? Whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed? Have I taken a bribe from anyone? If so, tell me, and I will restore it to you."

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

4. But they said, "You have not cheated or oppressed us; you have not stolen anything from anyone."

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.

5. Then Samuel said, "Yahweh is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything 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.

6. Samuel then said to the people, "Yahweh is witness, he who sent Moses and Aaron and brought your ancestors 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.

7. Now, stand still, that I may confront you with all the deeds of Yahweh who saved you and your ancestors.

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.

8. Jacob went to Egypt and the Egyptians oppressed your ancestors. Then they cried to Yahweh and he sent Moses and Aaron. They brought your ancestors out of Egypt and brought them to this land.

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.

9. But they forgot Yahweh, their God, and he delivered them into the hands of Sisera, commander of the army of Jabin, king of Hazor, into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the king of Moab who 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.

10. Then your ancestors cried to Yahweh and said: 'We have sinned, forsaking Yahweh and serving the Baals and the Ashteroth. But now, deliver us out of the hands of our enemies and we will serve you.'

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.

11. And Yahweh sent Jerubbaal and Barak, Jephthah and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hands of your enemies from all sides, so that you lived in safety in your land.

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.

12. Now, when you saw that Nahash, the king of the Ammonites, attacked you, you said to me: 'No! Let a king rule over us,' although Yahweh 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.

13. Yet Yahweh has given you the king whom you have chosen, whom you have asked for.

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:

14. May you fear Yahweh and serve him! May you listen to him and not go against his commandments! May both you and the king who reigns over you follow Yahweh, 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.

15. But if you will not listen to Yahweh and if you break his commandments, his hand will be against you and your king.

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

16. Now wait awhile that you may see the wonder which Yahweh will do before you.

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.

17. Is it not wheat harvest today? I will call on Yahweh that he may send thunder and rain. So you shall know and see that you have gone very wrong in asking for another 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.

18. So Samuel called on Yahweh who sent thunder and rain on that day. Then all the people greatly feared Yahweh 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.

19. The people said to Samuel, "Pray to Yahweh, your God, for your servants so we may not die. For we have added to our sins this evil of asking for 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;

20. Samuel told the people, "Fear not! You have done evil, but now you must not turn away from Yahweh. Serve him, instead, 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.

21. Do not go after these useless and vain idols that are unable to save.

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.

22. Yahweh will not cast away his people because of his great Name, since he has been pleased 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:

23. As for me, how can I commit the sin of ceasing to pray for you? I will continue to instruct you in the good and 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.

24. Only fear Yahweh and serve him faithfully with all your heart, for you have seen the wonderful things he has done for you.

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

25. But if you still persist in wickedness, both you and your king shall be swept away."



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Footnotes:

12:1-5 - Samuel gives a farewell address to the people, challenging them to point out any injustice he has committed. His integrity is an example of godly leadership and how a leader should be above reproach (see also Numbers 16:15 and Acts 20:33-35).

12:6-8 - Samuel recounts God's mighty acts in Israel's history, beginning with their deliverance from Egypt. This recap of God's faithfulness serves to remind the people that, despite their choice of king, God remains their true Lord (see also Judges 2:16-18 and Psalm 105:5-6).

12:10-12 - Samuel highlights how Israel often abandoned God, yet He delivered them repeatedly when they cried out for help. This emphasizes God's mercy and patience in the face of human rebellion (see also Judges 10:15-16 and Psalm 106:44-46).

12:13-15 - Samuel warns the people that, although they have been given a king, they must remain obedient to God. God's blessing depends on their faithfulness, and disobedience will bring judgment, even with a king (see also Deuteronomy 28:1-2 and Hosea 13:10-11).

12:19-25 - The people regret asking for a king, but Samuel comforts them, reminding them that if they remain faithful to God, He will continue to bless them. This is a call to repentance and a renewed covenant with God (see also 2 Chronicles 7:14 and 1 John 1:9).

Verses related to 1 Samuel, 12:

1 Samuel chapter 12 presents Samuel's farewell speech. What crucial lessons does Samuel leave for Israel in this transition? This powerful text records Samuel's defense of his ministry, his warning to the people, and the renewal of the covenant with God. The chapter addresses topics such as divine faithfulness, the importance of recognizing past mistakes and the call to continued obedience. 1 Samuel 12 serves as a bridge between the age of judges and the monarchy. Explore with us five biblical passages that resonate with the eternal truths of this foundational chapter.

Deuteronomy 17:14-15: "When you enter the land that the Lord your God is giving you, and you have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, 'We want to have a king over us, like all the nations around us,' be careful to appoint the king that the Lord your God chooses." - This excerpt from the law of Moses provides for the demand for a king, which Samuel addresses in his speech in 1 Samuel 12.

Joshua 24:14: "Now fear the Lord and serve him with integrity and faithfulness. Throw away the gods that your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt, and serve the Lord." - It echoes Samuel's call to the people in 1 Samuel 12:14 to fear and serve the Lord.

Psalms 99:6: "Moses and Aaron were among his priests, Samuel among those who called on his name; They cried out to the Lord and he answered them." - This psalm mentions Samuel along with Moses and Aaron, reflecting his prophetic role highlighted in 1 Samuel 12.

Jeremiah 3:15: "Then I will give you shepherds according to my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and wisdom." - It contrasts with the situation in 1 Samuel 12, where the people reject God's direct leadership through Samuel.

Micah 6:4: "I brought you out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. I sent Moses, Aaron and Miriam to lead them." - Similar to Samuel's speech in 1 Samuel 12, recalling liberation from Egypt and divine leadership.

FAQ:

What was Samuel's farewell speech?

Samuel reminded the people of his faithful leadership and urged them to follow the Lord, warning of the consequences of disobedience. (1 Samuel 12:1-25)

How did God confirm Samuel's message to the people?

God sent a powerful, unseasonable storm, demonstrating His power and warning against disobedience. (1 Samuel 12:17-18)

What was the people's response to Samuel's speech?

The people feared the Lord and asked Samuel to pray for them so that they would not be destroyed. (1 Samuel 12:19)

What did Samuel promise the people of Israel?

He promised to continue praying for Israel and teaching them the right way, despite their rejection of theocratic rule. (1 Samuel 12:23)

What was Samuel's final warning to the people?

If Israel and its king obeyed the Lord, they would be blessed, but disobedience would bring destruction. (1 Samuel 12:25)


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