1 Samuel 12:21

21 and turn ye not aside; for [it would be] after vain things which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.

1 Samuel 12:21 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 12:21

And turn ye not aside
From his worship: for then; if they turned aside from that:

should ye go after vain things;
idols, which are vanity, and less than vanity:

which cannot profit nor deliver;
neither bestow good things on their votaries, nor deliver them from evils, or from the hands of their enemies

for they are vain;
empty, useless, and unprofitable; an idol is nothing in the world, ( 1 Corinthians 8:4 ) .

1 Samuel 12:21 In-Context

19 And all the people said to Samuel, Pray to Jehovah thy God for thy servants, that we die not; for we have added to all our sins the wickedness to ask for ourselves a king.

20 And Samuel said to the people, Fear not: *ye* have done all this wickedness; yet turn not aside from following Jehovah, and serve Jehovah with all your heart;

21 and turn ye not aside; for [it would be] after vain things which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.

22 For Jehovah will not cast away his people for his great name's sake; because it has pleased Jehovah to make you his people.

23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Jehovah in ceasing to pray for you; and I will teach you the good and right way.

Footnotes

• [a] Lit. 'emptiness:' see Isa. 40.17, &c.