1 Samuel 12:21

21 Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless.

1 Samuel 12:21 in Other Translations

21 And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.

21 And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty.

21 Don’t go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you—they are totally useless!

21 Don't chase after ghost-gods.

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

21 Don't turn away to follow other gods. They can't help or rescue you, because they don't exist.

21 Don't turn away to follow worthless things that can't profit or deliver you; they are worthless.

21 "Don't turn away and worship statues of gods. They are useless. They can't do you any good. They can't save you either. They are completely useless.

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 The people all said to Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die, for we have added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king.”

20 “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.

21 Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless.

22 For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own.

23 As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.

Cross References

• 1. Isaiah 40:20; Isaiah 41:24,29; Isaiah 44:9; Jeremiah 2:5,11; Jeremiah 14:22; Jeremiah 16:19; John 2:8; Habakkuk 2:18; Acts 14:15
• 2. Deuteronomy 11:16