Bible Commentaries
1 Samuel 12

Introduction

Overview

1 Samuel 12:1, Samuel testifies his integrity; 1 Samuel 12:6, He reproves the people of ingratitude; 1 Samuel 12:16, He terrifies them with thunder in harvest time; 1 Samuel 12:20, he comforts them in God’s mercy.

Verse 1

Behold: 1 Samuel 8:5-8, 1 Samuel 8:19-22

have made: 1 Samuel 10:1, 1 Samuel 10:24, 1 Samuel 11:14, 1 Samuel 11:15

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 7:15 - judged

Verse 2

walketh: 1 Samuel 8:20, Numbers 27:17

I am old: 1 Samuel 8:1, 1 Samuel 8:5, Psalms 71:18, Isaiah 46:3, Isaiah 46:4, 2 Timothy 4:6, 2 Peter 1:14

my sons: 1 Samuel 2:22, 1 Samuel 2:29, 1 Samuel 3:13, 1 Samuel 3:16, 1 Samuel 8:3

I have walked: 1 Samuel 3:19, 1 Samuel 3:20

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 14:47 - Ammon Job 23:11 - My foot Psalms 26:11 - I will Proverbs 16:31 - if Proverbs 22:6 - when Isaiah 1:26 - And I will

Verse 3

his anointed: 1 Samuel 12:5, 1 Samuel 10:1, 1 Samuel 24:6, 2 Samuel 1:14-16, Matthew 22:21, Romans 13:1-7

whose ox: Numbers 16:15, Acts 20:33, 2 Corinthians 12:14, 1 Thessalonians 2:5, 1 Thessalonians 2:10, 1 Peter 5:2

bribe: Heb. ransom

blind mine eyes: or, that I should hide mine eyes at him, Exodus 23:8, Deuteronomy 16:19

I will: Exodus 22:4, Leviticus 6:4, Luke 19:8

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:32 - before Genesis 31:37 - set it here Exodus 18:21 - hating Leviticus 6:5 - restore Leviticus 25:14 - General Numbers 3:51 - Moses Numbers 16:16 - before Deuteronomy 1:17 - ye shall hear Deuteronomy 24:17 - pervert 1 Samuel 2:10 - anointed 1 Samuel 20:1 - What have 1 Samuel 29:8 - But what have 2 Samuel 22:22 - I have kept 2 Kings 10:9 - Ye be righteous Nehemiah 5:11 - Restore Job 6:22 - Bring unto me Job 15:34 - the tabernacles Job 20:19 - Because Job 24:3 - drive Psalms 99:7 - kept Proverbs 11:6 - righteousness Proverbs 17:23 - General Proverbs 22:6 - when Ecclesiastes 7:7 - a gift Isaiah 33:15 - shaketh Lamentations 4:20 - the anointed Ezekiel 18:7 - hath not Hosea 4:18 - her Hosea 12:7 - oppress Micah 2:2 - oppress Micah 3:11 - heads Acts 24:26 - hoped Acts 25:11 - if I 2 Corinthians 7:2 - we have wronged 2 Corinthians 12:18 - in the same steps 1 Thessalonians 2:3 - General 1 Thessalonians 4:6 - defraud

Verse 4

Psalms 37:5, Psalms 37:6, Daniel 6:4, 3 John 1:12

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:37 - set it here Exodus 18:21 - hating Leviticus 25:14 - General Numbers 3:51 - Moses Numbers 16:15 - I have not Deuteronomy 1:17 - ye shall hear Deuteronomy 24:17 - pervert Job 20:19 - Because Proverbs 11:6 - righteousness Ezekiel 18:7 - hath not Hosea 4:18 - her Micah 2:2 - oppress Micah 3:11 - heads 2 Corinthians 7:2 - we have wronged 2 Corinthians 12:18 - in the same steps 1 Thessalonians 4:6 - defraud

Verse 5

The Lord: Job 31:35-40, Job 42:7

his anointed: 1 Samuel 26:9

ye have: John 18:38, Acts 23:9, Acts 24:16, Acts 24:20, 1 Corinthians 4:4, 2 Corinthians 1:12

in my hand: Exodus 22:4, Psalms 17:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:50 - God Judges 11:10 - The Lord 1 Samuel 12:3 - his anointed Job 16:19 - my witness Jeremiah 42:5 - The Lord be Lamentations 4:20 - the anointed Malachi 2:14 - the Lord Hebrews 11:12 - as the sand

Verse 6

It is the Lord: Exodus 6:26, Nehemiah 9:9-14, Psalms 77:19, Psalms 77:20, Psalms 78:12-72, Psalms 99:6, Psalms 105:26, Psalms 105:41, Isaiah 63:7-14, Hosea 12:13, Micah 6:4

advanced: or, made

Reciprocal: Exodus 3:10 - General 1 Samuel 12:8 - sent Moses Psalms 136:11 - brought out Hebrews 3:2 - appointed

Verse 7

reason: Isaiah 1:18, Isaiah 5:3, Isaiah 5:4, Ezekiel 18:25-30, Micah 6:2, Micah 6:3, Acts 17:3

righteous acts: Heb. righteousnesses or benefits, Judges 5:11

to: Heb. with

Reciprocal: Numbers 16:16 - before Numbers 16:17 - General 1 Samuel 12:16 - stand 1 Samuel 15:16 - Stay 2 Kings 17:13 - all Acts 17:2 - reasoned Acts 24:25 - he 1 Peter 3:15 - a reason

Verse 8

Jacob: Genesis 46:5-7, Numbers 20:15, Acts 7:15

cried: Exodus 2:23, Exodus 2:24, Exodus 3:9

sent Moses: 1 Samuel 12:6, Exodus 3:10, Exodus 4:14-16, Exodus 4:27-31, Exodus 6:26

brought: Exodus 12:51, Exodus 14:30, Exodus 14:31

made them: Joshua 1:2-4, Joshua 1:6, Joshua 3:10-13, Psalms 44:1-3, Psalms 78:54, Psalms 78:55, Psalms 105:44

Reciprocal: Genesis 15:14 - that Genesis 46:6 - into Egypt Numbers 33:1 - under the hand Judges 10:11 - Egyptians Hosea 12:13 - General Acts 7:35 - a ruler

Verse 9

forgat: Deuteronomy 32:18, Judges 3:7, Psalms 106:21, Jeremiah 2:32

he sold: Deuteronomy 32:30, Judges 2:14, Judges 3:8, Judges 4:2, Isaiah 50:1, Isaiah 50:2

of the Philistines: Judges 10:7, Judges 13:1

into the: Judges 3:12, Isaiah 63:10

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 12:15 - against 2 Samuel 7:11 - since Psalms 106:43 - Many Hosea 2:13 - forgat

Verse 10

And they: 1 Samuel 7:2, Judges 3:9, Judges 3:15, Judges 4:3, Judges 6:7, Judges 10:10, Judges 10:15, Psalms 78:34, Psalms 78:35, Psalms 106:44, Isaiah 26:16

Baalim: Judges 2:13, Judges 3:7

deliver: Judges 10:15, Judges 10:16, Isaiah 33:22, Luke 1:74, Luke 1:75, 2 Corinthians 5:14, 2 Corinthians 5:15

Reciprocal: Genesis 32:11 - Deliver Judges 10:7 - he sold 1 Kings 11:5 - Ashtoreth 2 Kings 23:13 - Ashtoreth Nehemiah 9:27 - saviours Jeremiah 2:13 - forsaken Jeremiah 2:20 - and thou saidst

Verse 11

Jerubbaal: Judges 6:14, Judges 6:32, Judges 8:29, Judges 8:35

Bedan: Bedan, whose name occurs no where else as a judge of Israel, Bp. Patrick and others suppose to be a contraction of ben Dan, "the son of Dan;" by which they suppose Samson is meant, as the Targum reads. The LXX, Syriac, and Arabic, however, instead of Bedan read Barak; and the two latter versions, instead of Samuel have Samson. These readings are adopted by Houbigant, and appear to be genuine; for it is not probable that Samuel would enumerate himself. Judges 13:1 - Judges 16:31

Jephthah: Judges 11:1-33

Samuel: 1 Samuel 7:13

Reciprocal: Judges 2:16 - the Lord 1 Chronicles 7:17 - Bedan 1 Chronicles 17:6 - the judges Nehemiah 9:27 - saviours Hosea 13:10 - thy judges Zechariah 1:20 - four Acts 13:20 - he gave Hebrews 11:32 - Gedeon

Verse 12

Nahash: 1 Samuel 11:1, 1 Samuel 11:2

Nay: 1 Samuel 8:3, 1 Samuel 8:5, 1 Samuel 8:6, 1 Samuel 8:19, 1 Samuel 8:20, Judges 9:18, Judges 9:56, Judges 9:57

when the Lord: 1 Samuel 8:7, 1 Samuel 10:19, Genesis 17:7, Exodus 19:5, Exodus 19:6, Numbers 23:21, Judges 8:23, Psalms 74:12, Isaiah 33:22, Hosea 13:10

Reciprocal: Numbers 22:20 - If the men Judges 2:17 - they would Judges 8:22 - Rule thou 1 Chronicles 19:1 - Nahash Proverbs 24:21 - meddle Ezekiel 16:13 - and thou didst Acts 13:21 - they

Verse 13

behold: 1 Samuel 10:24, 1 Samuel 11:15

whom ye: 1 Samuel 8:5, 1 Samuel 9:20

have desired: Psalms 78:29-31, Hosea 13:11, Acts 13:21

Reciprocal: Numbers 27:16 - set a man 1 Samuel 2:10 - he shall Luke 23:25 - whom

Verse 14

If ye will: Leviticus 20:1-13, Deuteronomy 28:1-14, Joshua 24:14, Joshua 24:20, Psalms 81:12-15, Isaiah 3:10, Romans 2:7

commandment: Heb. mouth

continue: Heb. be after

Reciprocal: Joshua 22:18 - following 1 Samuel 15:1 - hearken 1 Samuel 15:23 - rebellion 1 Kings 6:12 - if thou wilt Lamentations 1:18 - for I John 8:31 - If James 1:25 - and

Verse 15

But if ye: Leviticus 26:14-30, Deuteronomy 28:15-68, Joshua 24:20, Isaiah 1:20, Isaiah 3:11, Romans 2:8, Romans 2:9

against: 1 Samuel 12:9

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 5:9 - the hand 1 Samuel 9:20 - on whom 1 Samuel 15:23 - rebellion 1 Kings 6:12 - if thou wilt Ezra 9:7 - for our iniquities Lamentations 1:18 - for I

Verse 16

stand: 1 Samuel 12:7, 1 Samuel 15:16, Exodus 14:13, Exodus 14:31

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 12:17 - Is it Joel 2:21 - for Malachi 1:5 - your

Verse 17

Is it: In northern latitudes, thunder and rain are far from being un-common during harvest. But rain is hardly ever known in Palestine during that season, which commences about the end of June, or beginning of July. This fact is abundantly confirmed by modern travellers, and is demonstrative to every unprejudiced reader of the Holy Scriptures, that the thunder and rain, which at Samuel's invocation, was sent at this season of the year, was a miraculous interposition of the power of God; for we read in 1 Samuel 12:16, it was a "great thing which the Lord will do." Thus were the Israelites warned of their sin in having asked a king, and of the omnipotence of that God, whose gracious promises they virtually neglected by this act. Proverbs 26:1

I will call: 1 Samuel 7:9, 1 Samuel 7:10, Joshua 10:12, Psalms 99:6, Jeremiah 15:1, James 5:16-18

your wickedness: 1 Samuel 8:7

Reciprocal: Exodus 9:23 - the Lord sent Exodus 19:16 - thunders Judges 2:17 - they would 1 Samuel 8:5 - now make 1 Samuel 8:6 - displeased 1 Samuel 10:19 - And ye have 1 Samuel 11:15 - rejoiced greatly 1 Samuel 31:6 - General 2 Samuel 22:14 - thundered Ezra 10:9 - trembling Job 38:28 - Hath the Isaiah 29:6 - General Jeremiah 10:13 - maketh

Verse 18

sent thunder: Exodus 9:23-25, Revelation 11:5, Revelation 11:6

feared: Exodus 14:31, Ezra 10:9, Psalms 106:12, Psalms 106:13

Reciprocal: Exodus 19:16 - thunders Joshua 4:14 - they feared him 1 Samuel 2:10 - he thunder 2 Samuel 22:14 - thundered 1 Kings 3:28 - feared 1 Chronicles 29:20 - worshipped Job 36:31 - by Job 37:13 - whether Job 38:28 - Hath the Job 38:34 - General Psalms 72:5 - They shall Psalms 99:6 - they called Proverbs 26:1 - in summer Isaiah 29:6 - General Jeremiah 10:13 - maketh Mark 4:41 - feared Romans 13:7 - fear to James 5:16 - The effectual

Verse 19

Pray for thy: 1 Samuel 7:5, 1 Samuel 7:8, Genesis 20:7, Exodus 9:28, Exodus 10:17, Job 42:8, Psalms 78:34, Psalms 78:35, Isaiah 26:16, Malachi 1:9, Acts 8:24, James 5:15, 1 John 5:16

Reciprocal: Exodus 8:8 - Entreat Numbers 12:11 - I beseech thee Numbers 21:7 - We have Deuteronomy 17:14 - I will set Judges 2:17 - they would 2 Samuel 9:7 - Fear not 1 Kings 13:6 - now Job 37:13 - whether Isaiah 37:4 - lift up Jeremiah 27:18 - let them Jeremiah 37:3 - Pray Jeremiah 42:2 - and pray

Verse 20

Fear not: Exodus 20:19, Exodus 20:20, 1 Peter 3:16

turn not: Deuteronomy 11:16, Deuteronomy 31:29, Joshua 23:6, Psalms 40:4, Psalms 101:3, Psalms 125:5, Jeremiah 3:1

Reciprocal: Exodus 23:25 - And ye Exodus 32:30 - Ye have Numbers 21:7 - And Moses Joshua 22:5 - serve Joshua 22:18 - following 2 Samuel 9:7 - Fear not 1 Kings 22:43 - he turned Song of Solomon 1:7 - for Luke 19:21 - I feared John 21:19 - Follow

Verse 21

vain things: Deuteronomy 32:21, Jeremiah 2:5, Jeremiah 2:13, Jeremiah 10:8, Jeremiah 10:15, Jeremiah 14:22, Jeremiah 16:19, Jonah 2:8, Habakkuk 2:18, 1 Corinthians 8:4

cannot profit: Psalms 115:4-8, Isaiah 41:23, Isaiah 41:24, Isaiah 44:9, Isaiah 44:10, Isaiah 45:20, Isaiah 46:7, Jeremiah 10:15

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 16:13 - vanities 1 Kings 22:43 - he turned 2 Kings 17:15 - vanity Psalms 4:2 - love Psalms 101:3 - them Ecclesiastes 5:16 - what Song of Solomon 1:7 - for Jeremiah 2:8 - do not Mark 7:7 - in vain Acts 14:15 - from 1 Corinthians 14:6 - what shall I 2 Timothy 2:14 - to no

Verse 22

the Lord: Deuteronomy 31:17, 1 Kings 6:13, 2 Kings 21:14, 1 Chronicles 28:9, 2 Chronicles 15:2, Psalms 94:14, Isaiah 41:17, Isaiah 42:16, Jeremiah 33:24-26, Lamentations 3:31, Lamentations 3:32, Lamentations 5:20, Hebrews 13:5

for his great: Exodus 32:12, Numbers 14:13-19, Deuteronomy 32:26, Deuteronomy 32:27, Joshua 7:9, Psalms 106:8, Isaiah 37:35, Isaiah 43:25, Isaiah 48:11, Jeremiah 14:7, Jeremiah 14:21, Ezekiel 20:9, Ezekiel 20:14, Ephesians 1:6, Ephesians 1:12

it hath: Exodus 19:5, Exodus 19:6, Deuteronomy 7:7, Deuteronomy 7:8, Deuteronomy 9:5, Deuteronomy 14:2, Malachi 1:2, Matthew 11:26, John 15:16, Romans 9:13-18, Romans 11:29, 1 Corinthians 4:7, Philippians 1:6

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 3:8 - thy people 1 Chronicles 17:22 - thy people Nehemiah 9:19 - in thy Esther 4:14 - then shall Psalms 22:1 - why hast Psalms 37:25 - yet Psalms 44:3 - because Psalms 50:7 - O my Psalms 135:4 - the Lord Psalms 149:2 - rejoice Isaiah 40:27 - sayest Isaiah 41:9 - I have chosen Isaiah 48:9 - my name's Jeremiah 14:9 - leave Jeremiah 51:5 - Israel Ezekiel 16:8 - thy time Romans 11:1 - Hath God Galatians 1:15 - it

Verse 23

God forbid: Acts 12:5, Romans 1:9, Colossians 1:9, 1 Thessalonians 3:10, 2 Timothy 1:3

in ceasing: Heb. from ceasing

I will teach: Psalms 34:11, Proverbs 4:11, Ecclesiastes 12:10, Acts 20:20, Colossians 1:28

the good: 1 Kings 8:36, 2 Chronicles 6:27, Jeremiah 6:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 20:7 - pray Exodus 8:12 - General Exodus 18:16 - make Exodus 18:20 - the way Exodus 32:30 - Ye have Numbers 12:13 - General Joshua 22:29 - God forbid Joshua 24:16 - General 1 Samuel 7:5 - I will pray 1 Samuel 15:11 - he cried 1 Kings 13:6 - besought 1 Kings 21:3 - The Lord 2 Chronicles 34:29 - the king Psalms 73:2 - But Isaiah 37:4 - lift up Jeremiah 15:1 - Moses Jeremiah 27:18 - let them Jeremiah 42:2 - and pray Jeremiah 42:4 - I will pray Ezekiel 13:5 - have not Micah 6:8 - what is Acts 8:24 - Pray Acts 18:25 - instructed Romans 10:1 - my heart's Romans 12:7 - or he Ephesians 1:16 - Cease Colossians 4:2 - Continue 2 Peter 2:15 - forsaken

Verse 24

fear the Lord: Job 28:28, Psalms 111:10, Proverbs 1:7, Exodus 12:13, Hebrews 12:29

in truth: Psalms 119:80, John 1:47

consider: Ezra 9:13, Ezra 9:14, Isaiah 5:12, Romans 12:1

how great things: or, what a great thing, etc. Deuteronomy 10:21, Psalms 126:2, Psalms 126:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 22:12 - now Exodus 23:25 - And ye Leviticus 25:17 - fear Deuteronomy 4:10 - fear me Deuteronomy 8:6 - walk Joshua 22:5 - serve Joshua 24:14 - fear 2 Samuel 9:7 - Fear not 1 Kings 8:40 - fear thee 2 Kings 17:39 - the Lord 2 Chronicles 6:31 - fear thee Psalms 19:9 - The fear Proverbs 4:11 - taught Joel 2:21 - for Mark 4:41 - feared John 4:23 - in truth Hebrews 12:3 - consider

Verse 25

But if: Deuteronomy 32:15-44, Joshua 24:20, Isaiah 3:11

ye and: 1 Samuel 31:1-5, Deuteronomy 28:36, Hosea 10:3

Reciprocal: Genesis 22:12 - now Deuteronomy 8:19 - I testify against Deuteronomy 30:17 - if thine 1 Samuel 28:19 - the Lord 1 Samuel 31:6 - General 1 Kings 14:15 - the Lord 1 Chronicles 10:6 - Saul 2 Chronicles 7:19 - if ye turn away Isaiah 1:20 - if ye refuse Isaiah 1:28 - they that Acts 13:22 - when Hebrews 11:32 - Samuel