1 Samuel 12:1-10

1 Then Samuel said to the people of Israel, "I have done what you asked me to do. I have given you a king to rule you,

2 and now you have him to lead you. As for me, I am old and gray, and my sons are with you. I have been your leader from my youth until now.

3 Here I am. If I have done anything wrong, accuse me now in the presence of the Lord and the king he has chosen. Have I taken anybody's cow or anybody's donkey? Have I cheated or oppressed anyone? Have I accepted a bribe from anyone? If I have done any of these things, I will pay back what I have taken." ¹

4 The people answered, "No, you have not cheated us or oppressed us; you have not taken anything from anyone."

5 Samuel replied, "The Lord and the king he has chosen are witnesses today that you have found me to be completely innocent." "Yes, the Lord is our witness," they answered.

6 Samuel continued, "The Lord is the one who chose Moses and Aaron and who brought your ancestors out of Egypt. ²

7 Now stand where you are, and I will accuse you before the Lord by reminding you of all the mighty actions the Lord did to save you and your ancestors.

8 When Jacob and his family went to Egypt and the Egyptians oppressed them, your ancestors cried to the Lord for help, and he sent Moses and Aaron, who brought them out of Egypt and settled them in this land. ³

9 But the people forgot the Lord their God, and so he let the Philistines and the king of Moab and Sisera, commander of the army of the city of Hazor, fight against your ancestors and conquer them. ⁴

10 Then they cried to the Lord for help and said, "We have sinned, because we turned away from you, Lord, and worshiped the idols of Baal and Astarte. Rescue us from our enemies, and we will worship you!' ⁵

1 Samuel 12:1-10 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

• 1. +212.3Ben Sira 46.19.
• 2. 12.6Exodus 6.26.
• 3. 12.8Exodus 2.23.
• 4. 12.9 aJudges 4.2; bJudges 13.1; cJudges 3.12.
• 5. 12.10Judges 10.10-15.

Footnotes

• [a]. [One ancient translation] by reminding you; [Hebrew does not have these words.]
• [b]. [One ancient translation] and the Egyptians oppressed them; [Hebrew does not have these words.]