1 Samuel 12:2-12

2 et nunc rex graditur ante vos ego autem senui et incanui porro filii mei vobiscum sunt itaque conversatus coram vobis ab adulescentia mea usque ad diem hanc ecce praesto sum

3 loquimini de me coram Domino et coram christo eius utrum bovem cuiusquam tulerim an asinum si quempiam calumniatus sum si oppressi aliquem si de manu cuiusquam munus accepi et contemnam illud hodie restituamque vobis

4 et dixerunt non es calumniatus nos neque oppressisti neque tulisti de manu alicuius quippiam

5 dixitque ad eos testis Dominus adversus vos et testis christus eius in die hac quia non inveneritis in manu mea quippiam et dixerunt testis

6 et ait Samuhel ad populum Dominus qui fecit Mosen et Aaron et eduxit patres nostros de terra Aegypti

7 nunc ergo state ut iudicio contendam adversum vos coram Domino de omnibus misericordiis Domini quas fecit vobiscum et cum patribus vestris

8 quomodo ingressus est Iacob in Aegyptum et clamaverunt patres vestri ad Dominum et misit Dominus Mosen et Aaron et eduxit patres vestros ex Aegypto et conlocavit eos in loco hoc

9 qui obliti sunt Domini Dei sui et tradidit eos in manu Sisarae magistri militiae Asor et in manu Philisthinorum et in manu regis Moab et pugnaverunt adversum eos

10 postea autem clamaverunt ad Dominum et dixerunt peccavimus quia dereliquimus Dominum et servivimus Baalim et Astharoth nunc ergo erue nos de manu inimicorum nostrorum et serviemus tibi

11 et misit Dominus Hierobaal et Bedan et Ieptha et Samuhel et eruit vos de manu inimicorum vestrorum per circuitum et habitastis confidenter

12 videntes autem quod Naas rex filiorum Ammon venisset adversum vos dixistis mihi nequaquam sed rex imperabit nobis cum Dominus Deus vester regnaret in vobis

1 Samuel 12:2-12 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.