1 Samuel 12:19-24

19 Then all the people said to Samuel, "1Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, so that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins 2this evil by asking for ourselves a king."
20 Samuel said to the people, "Do not fear. You have committed all this evil, yet 3do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.
21 "You must not turn aside, for then you would go after 4futile things which can not profit or deliver, because they are futile.
22 "For 5the LORD will not abandon His people 6on account of His great name, because the LORD 7has been pleased * to make you a people for Himself.
23 "Moreover, as for me, 8far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you; but 9I will instruct you in the good and right way.
24 "10Only fear the LORD and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider 11what great things He has done for you.

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1 Samuel 12:19-24 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.

Cross References 11

  • 1. Exodus 9:28; 1 Samuel 12:23; Jeremiah 15:1; 1 John 5:16
  • 2. 1 Samuel 12:17, 20
  • 3. Deuteronomy 11:16
  • 4. Deuteronomy 11:16; Isaiah 41:29; Habakkuk 2:18
  • 5. Deuteronomy 31:6; 1 Kings 6:13
  • 6. Exodus 32:12; Numbers 14:13; Joshua 7:9; Psalms 106:8; Jeremiah 14:21
  • 7. Deuteronomy 7:6-11; 1 Peter 2:9
  • 8. Romans 1:9; 1 Corinthians 9:16; Colossians 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 3:10; 2 Timothy 1:3
  • 9. 1 Kings 8:36; Psalms 34:11; Proverbs 4:11
  • 10. Ecclesiastes 12:13
  • 11. Deuteronomy 10:21; Isaiah 5:12

Footnotes 1

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