1 Samuel 12:9

9 But they forgot the Lord their God, so He handed them over to Sisera[a] commander of the army of Hazor, to the Philistines, and to the king of Moab.[b] [These enemies] fought against them.

1 Samuel 12:9 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 12:9

And when they forgat the Lord their God
The worship of the Lord their God, as the Targum; that is, they fell into idolatry, which is a plain instance and proof of forgetfulness of God; for such that neglect his worship, and serve idols, may be truly said to forget him:

he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor;
who was general of the army of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor, ( Judges 4:2 ) , where they are said to be sold into the hands of Jabin, here into the hands of Sisera; because it is highly probable he was sent against them by Jabin, and subdued them, as he afterwards was sent by him, when they rebelled against him, and were delivered out of his hand:

and into the hand of the Philistines:
as they were in and before the times of Samson, ( Judges 13:1 )

and into the hand of the king of Moab;
as in the times of Ehud, ( Judges 3:14 Judges 3:15 ) , the exact order of these things is not observed:

and they fought against them;
the king of Moab, Sisera, and the Philistines, and overcame them, and so they fell into their hands.

1 Samuel 12:9 In-Context

7 Now present yourselves, so I may judge you before the Lord about all the righteous acts He has done for you and your ancestors.
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.
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.
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.'
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.

Footnotes 2

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