12:1ffSamuel continued to serve the people as their priest, Prophet, and judge, but Saul exercised more and more political and military control over the tribes (see 7:15).
Life Application Study Bible1 SamuelChapter 12
1 Samuel 12
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 427, 428
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121 Samuel 12
Samuel's Farewell Address
1Then Samuel addressed all Israel: “I have done as you asked and given you a king. 2Your king is now your leader. I stand here before you—an old, gray-haired man— and my sons serve you. I have served as your leader from the time I was a boy to this very day. 3Now 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 takena bribe and perverted justice? Tell me and I will make right whatever Ihave done wrong.” 4“No,” they replied, “you have never cheated or oppressed us, and you have never taken even a single bribe.” 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. 6“Tt was the LORD who appointed Moses and Aaron,” Samuel continued. “He brought your ancestors out of the land of Egypt. 7Now stand here quietly before the LORD as I remind you of all the great things the LORD has done for you and your ancestors. 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. 9But 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. 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.’ 11Then the LORD sent Gideon,* Bedan,* Jephthah, and Samuel* to save you, and you lived in safety. 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. 13All right, here is the king you have chosen. You asked for him, and the LORD has granted your request. 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. 15But 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. 16“Now stand here and see the great thing the LORD is about to do. 17You 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!” 18So Samuel called to the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day. And all the people were terrified of the LORD and of Samuel. 19“Pray to the LORD your God for us, or we will die!” they all said to Samuel. “For now we have added to our sins by asking for a king.” 20“Don’t be afraid,” Samuel reassured them. “You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship the LORD with all your heart, and don’t turn your back on him. 21Don’t go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you—they are totally useless! 22The LORD will not abandon his people, because that would dishonor his great name. For it has pleased the LORD to make you his very own people. 23As for me, I will certainly not sin against the LORD by ending my prayers for you. And] will continue to teach you what is good and right. 24But be sure to fear the LORD and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you. 5 Butif you continue to sin, you and your king will be swept away.” 2. God rejects Saul for disobedience
Textual footnotes
- ment, referring sometimes to the individual patriarch and sometimes to the nation.
- another name for Gideon; see Judg 6:32.
- Syriac versions read Samson.
- 12:8 Hebrew When Jacob was. The names “Jacob” and “Israel” are often interchanged throughout the Old Testa-
- 12:11a Hebrew Jerub-baal,
- 12:11b Greek and Syriac versions read Barak, 12:11¢ Greek and
Life Application Notes 7 notes
12:1-3In his farewell speech, Samuel asked the Israelites to point out any wrongs he had committed during his time as Israel’s judge. By doing so, Samuel was reminding them that he could be trusted to tell the truth. He was also reminding them that having a king was their idea, not his. Samuel was setting the stage for the miraculous thunderstorm recorded in 12:16-19, so that the people could not blame him when God punished them for their selfish motives.
12:10“The images of Baal and the Ashtoreth” were pagan gods. See the note on 7:4 for more information. 12:42:15 God granted the nation’s request for a king, but his commands and requirements remained the same. God was to be their true King, and both Saul and the people were to be subject to his laws, No person is ever exempt from God's laws. No human action is outside his jurisdiction. God is the true King of every area of life. We must recognize his kingship and pattern our relationships, work life, and home life according to his principles.
12:17The wheat harvest came near the end of the dry season during the months of May and June. Because rain rarely fell during this period, a great thunderstorm was considered a miraculous event. It was not a beneficial miracle, however, because rain during the wheat harvest could damage the crops and cause them to rot quickly. This unusual occurrence showed God's displeasure with Israel's demand for a king.
12:22Why did God make Israe! “his very own people"? God did not choose them because they deserved it (Deuteronomy 7:7, 8), but in order that they might become his channel of blessing to all people through the Messiah (Genesis 12:1-3). Because God chose the people of israel, he would never abandon them; but because they were his special nation, he would often punish them for their disobedience in order to bring them back to a right relationship with him.
12:23Is failing to pray for others a sin? Samuel's words seem to indicate that it is. His actions illustrate two of God's people’s responsibilities: (1) They should pray consistently for others (Ephesians 6:18), and (2) they should teach others the right way to God (2 Timothy 2:2). Samuel disagreed with the Israelites’ demand for a king, but he assured them that he would continue to pray for them and teach them. We may disagree with others, but we shouldn't stop praying for them.
12:24This is the second time in his farewell speech that Samuel reminded the people to take time to consider what great things God had done for them (see 12:7). Taking time for reflection allows us to focus our attention upon God's goodness and strengthens our faith. Sometimes we are so progress- and future-oriented that we fail to take time to recall all that God has already done. Remember what God has done for you so that you may move ahead with gratitude.