1 Samuel 12:19-25

19 And all the people said to Samuel, ¹"Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king."

20 And Samuel said to the people, "Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet ²do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.

21 And ³do not turn aside after ⁴empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty.

22 ⁵For the LORD will not forsake his people, ⁶for his great name's sake, because ⁷it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself.

23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing ⁸to pray for you, ⁹and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.

24 ¹⁰Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider ¹¹what great things he has done for you.

25 But if you still do wickedly, ¹²you shall be swept away, ¹³both you and your king."

1 Samuel 12:19-25 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.

Cross References

• 1. ver. 23; [Exodus 9:28; Exodus 10:17; Jeremiah 15:1]
• 2. Deuteronomy 11:16
• 3. [See ver. 20 above]
• 4. Jeremiah 16:19; Habakkuk 2:18; [1 Corinthians 8:4]
• 5. 1 Kings 6:13; Psalms 94:14; [1 Kings 8:57]
• 6. Joshua 7:9; Psalms 106:8; Jeremiah 14:21; Ezek. 20:9, 14, 22
• 7. Deuteronomy 7:7, 8; Deuteronomy 14:2; [1 Peter 2:9]
• 8. See ver. 19
• 9. 1 Kings 8:36; 2 Chronicles 6:27; Psalms 27:11; [Proverbs 4:11; Jeremiah 6:16]
• 10. ver. 14; [Ecclesiastes 12:13]
• 11. Deuteronomy 10:21; Psalms 126:2, 3
• 12. Joshua 24:20; [Numbers 16:26]
• 13. [Deuteronomy 28:36]