1 Samuel 12:10-20

10 postea autem clamaverunt ad Dominum et dixerunt peccavimus quia dereliquimus Dominum et servivimus Baalim et Astharoth nunc ergo erue nos de manu inimicorum nostrorum et serviemus tibi

11 et misit Dominus Hierobaal et Bedan et Ieptha et Samuhel et eruit vos de manu inimicorum vestrorum per circuitum et habitastis confidenter

12 videntes autem quod Naas rex filiorum Ammon venisset adversum vos dixistis mihi nequaquam sed rex imperabit nobis cum Dominus Deus vester regnaret in vobis

13 nunc ergo praesto est rex vester quem elegistis et petistis ecce dedit vobis Dominus regem

14 si timueritis Dominum et servieritis ei et audieritis vocem eius et non exasperaveritis os Domini eritis et vos et rex qui imperat vobis sequentes Dominum Deum vestrum

15 si autem non audieritis vocem Domini sed exasperaveritis sermonem Domini erit manus Domini super vos et super patres vestros

16 sed et nunc state et videte rem istam grandem quam facturus est Dominus in conspectu vestro

17 numquid non messis tritici est hodie invocabo Dominum et dabit voces et pluvias et scietis et videbitis quia grande malum feceritis vobis in conspectu Domini petentes super vos regem

18 et clamavit Samuhel ad Dominum et dedit Dominus voces et pluviam in die illa

19 et timuit omnis populus nimis Dominum et Samuhelem dixitque universus populus ad Samuhel ora pro servis tuis ad Dominum Deum tuum ut non moriamur addidimus enim universis peccatis nostris malum ut peteremus nobis regem

20 dixit autem Samuhel ad populum nolite timere vos fecistis universum malum hoc verumtamen nolite recedere a tergo Domini et servite Domino in omni corde vestro

1 Samuel 12:10-20 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 12

In this chapter Samuel, resigning the government to Saul, asserts the integrity with which he had performed his office, and calls upon the people of Israel to attest it, who did, 1Sa 12:1-5, he then reminds them of the great and good things the Lord had done for them in times past, 1Sa 12:6-11 and whereas they had desired a king, and one was given them, it was their interest to fear and serve the Lord; if not, his hand would be against them, 1Sa 12:10-15 he terrifies them by calling for thunder in an unusual time, 1Sa 12:16-19 and then comforts and encourages them, that in doing their duty God would be with them, and not forsake them, otherwise they might expect nothing but ruin and destruction, 1Sa 12:20-25.