1 Samuel 12:22

22 The Lord has made a solemn promise, and he will not abandon you, for he has decided to make you his own people.

1 Samuel 12:22 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 12:22

For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name's
sake.
] For the sake of himself, his honour and glory; should he forsake his people, and suffer them to come to ruin, his name would be blasphemed among the Heathens; he would be charged either with want of power to help them, or with want of faithfulness to his promise to them, and with inconstancy to himself, or want of kindness and affection for them; all which would reflect upon his honour and glory:

because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people;
it was not owing to any worth or worthiness in them that they became his people, but to his own sovereign good will and pleasure; and therefore, as it was nothing in them that was the cause of their being taken by him for his people, so nothing in them could be the cause of their being rejected by him as such; it was of free grace and favour that they were taken into covenant with him, and by the same would be retained: the Vulgate Latin version is,

``the Lord hath sworn to make you a people for himself;''

so Jarchi interprets it, he swore, and takes it to have the same sense as in ( 1 Samuel 14:24 ) .

1 Samuel 12:22 In-Context

20 "Don't be afraid," Samuel answered. "Even though you have done such an evil thing, do not turn away from the Lord, but serve him with all your heart.

21 Don't go after false gods; they cannot help you or save you, for they are not real.

22 The Lord has made a solemn promise, and he will not abandon you, for he has decided to make you his own people.

23 As for me, the Lord forbid that I should sin against him by no longer praying for you. Instead, I will teach you what is good and right for you to do.

24 Obey the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. Remember the great things he has done for you.