1 Samuel 12:9

9 But they forgot the Lord their God; and he sold them into the hand of Sisera, commander of the army of King Jabin of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab; and they fought against them.

1 Samuel 12:9 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 12:9

And when they forgat the Lord their God
The worship of the Lord their God, as the Targum; that is, they fell into idolatry, which is a plain instance and proof of forgetfulness of God; for such that neglect his worship, and serve idols, may be truly said to forget him:

he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor;
who was general of the army of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor, ( Judges 4:2 ) , where they are said to be sold into the hands of Jabin, here into the hands of Sisera; because it is highly probable he was sent against them by Jabin, and subdued them, as he afterwards was sent by him, when they rebelled against him, and were delivered out of his hand:

and into the hand of the Philistines:
as they were in and before the times of Samson, ( Judges 13:1 )

and into the hand of the king of Moab;
as in the times of Ehud, ( Judges 3:14 Judges 3:15 ) , the exact order of these things is not observed:

and they fought against them;
the king of Moab, Sisera, and the Philistines, and overcame them, and so they fell into their hands.

1 Samuel 12:9 In-Context

7 Now therefore take your stand, so that I may enter into judgment with you before the Lord, and I will declare to you all the saving deeds of the Lord that he performed for you and for your ancestors.

8 When Jacob went into Egypt and the Egyptians oppressed them, then your ancestors cried to the Lord and the Lord sent Moses and Aaron, who brought forth your ancestors out of Egypt, and settled them in this place.

9 But they forgot the Lord their God; and he sold them into the hand of Sisera, commander of the army of King Jabin of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab; and they fought against them.

10 Then they cried to the Lord, and said, "We have sinned, because we have forsaken the Lord, and have served the Baals and the Astartes; but now rescue us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve you.'

11 And the Lord sent Jerubbaal and Barak, and Jephthah, and Samson, and rescued you out of the hand of your enemies on every side; and you lived in safety.

Footnotes

• [a]. Gk: Heb lacks [King Jabin of]