1 Samuel - Chapter 12

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 12.2 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 1 Samuel 12.9 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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: 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. 1 Samuel 12.16 Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes. 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. 1 Samuel 12.18 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. 1 Samuel 12.19 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. 1 Samuel 12.20 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; 1 Samuel 12.21 And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain. 1 Samuel 12.22 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. 1 Samuel 12.23 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: 1 Samuel 12.24 Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. 1 Samuel 12.25 But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.

1 Samuel : Chapter 12

Samuel's Farewell Address

Chapter 12 of the book of 1 Samuel presents Samuel's farewell address, a crucial moment in the history of Israel. In this significant transition, Samuel leaves valuable lessons for the people, lessons that resonate through the ages. This powerful text illustrates the defense of his ministry, the warning to the people, and the renewal of the covenant with God.

The Fundamental Themes of 1 Samuel 12

This chapter addresses essential topics such as divine faithfulness, the importance of acknowledging past mistakes, and the call to continued obedience. 1 Samuel 12 acts as a bridge between the era of the judges and the era of the monarchy, highlighting the people's responsibility to their God.

Five Resonating Bible Passages

We invite you to explore five biblical passages that resonate with the eternal truths of this foundational chapter:

1. Deuteronomy 17:14-15

"When you come into the land the Lord your God is giving you, and you possess it and live in it, and you say, 'We will have a king over us, like all the nations around us,' be careful to name the king whom the Lord your God chooses. » - This excerpt from the Law of Moses anticipates a king's request, to which Samuel responds in his speech in 1 Samuel 12.

2. Joshua 24:14

"Now fear the Lord and serve him with integrity and faithfulness. Put away the gods your ancestors worshipped beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt, and serve the Lord." - This echoes Samuel's call to the people in 1 Samuel 12:14 to fear and serve the Lord.

3. Psalms 99:6

"Moses and Aaron were among his priests, and Samuel among those who called on his name. They cried to the Lord, and he answered them." - This psalm mentions Samuel alongside Moses and Aaron, reflecting his prophetic role highlighted in 1 Samuel 12.

4. Jeremiah 3:15

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

5. 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." - This verse recalls Samuel's speech in 1 Samuel 12, evoking liberation from Egypt and divine leadership.

Reflecting on these passages, we are invited to renew our commitment to God, to recognize His faithfulness, and to walk in obedience, just as the people of Israel were called to do through Samuel's words.