1 Samuel 12:15-25

15 si autem non audieritis vocem Domini sed exasperaveritis sermonem Domini erit manus Domini super vos et super patres vestros

16 sed et nunc state et videte rem istam grandem quam facturus est Dominus in conspectu vestro

17 numquid non messis tritici est hodie invocabo Dominum et dabit voces et pluvias et scietis et videbitis quia grande malum feceritis vobis in conspectu Domini petentes super vos regem

18 et clamavit Samuhel ad Dominum et dedit Dominus voces et pluviam in die illa

19 et timuit omnis populus nimis Dominum et Samuhelem dixitque universus populus ad Samuhel ora pro servis tuis ad Dominum Deum tuum ut non moriamur addidimus enim universis peccatis nostris malum ut peteremus nobis regem

20 dixit autem Samuhel ad populum nolite timere vos fecistis universum malum hoc verumtamen nolite recedere a tergo Domini et servite Domino in omni corde vestro

21 et nolite declinare post vana quae non proderunt vobis neque eruent vos quia vana sunt

22 et non derelinquet Dominus populum suum propter nomen suum magnum quia iuravit Dominus facere vos sibi populum

23 absit autem a me hoc peccatum in Domino ut cessem orare pro vobis et docebo vos viam bonam et rectam

24 igitur timete Dominum et servite ei in veritate et ex toto corde vestro vidistis enim magnifica quae in vobis gesserit

25 quod si perseveraveritis in malitia et vos et rex vester pariter peribitis

1 Samuel 12:15-25 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.