1 Samuel 12:1-5

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 12:1

EXPOSITION SAMUEL 'S EXHORTATION TO THE PEOPLE AT GILGAL . This speech of Samuel is not to be regarded as a farewell address made upon his resignation of his office; for though a new power had been introduced, and Samuel's sons excluded from the succession, yet it was only gradually that a change was made in his own position. He was still judge ( 1 Samuel 7:15 ), and on extraordinary occasions came forward with decisive authority ( 1 Samuel 15:33 ). But as Saul... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 12:1-5

Character a power. The facts are— 1 . Samuel reminds the people that he (a) has carried out their wishes in setting a king over them, (b) is now a very old man, and (c) has spent the whole of his life among them. 2 . He appeals to God in asserting that the whole of his official life has been free from self-seeking. 3 . The people freely admit that his public conduct has been honest, considerate, and free from greed. The meaning of Samuel's reference to himself is to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 12:2

The king walketh before you . I.e. you have now one to protect and lead the nation, whereas my business was to raise its religious and moral life. The metaphor is taken from the position of the shepherd in the East, where he goes before his flock to guide and guard them. On this account the word shepherd or pastor is used in the Bible of the temporal ruler ( Jeremiah 2:8 ; Jeremiah 23:4 , etc.), and not, as with us, of the spiritual guide. My sons are with you. This is no mere... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 12:3-5

Witness against me. Literally, "answer," as in a court of justice to the formal question of the judge. His anointed. I.e. the king (see on 1 Samuel 2:10 , 1 Samuel 2:35 ; 1 Samuel 2:1 ). Whose ox,... whose ass? See on 1 Samuel 8:16 . Of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? Bribe should be rendered ransom. Literally it signifies a covering, and was used of money given by a guilty person to induce the judge to close or "blind his eyes," and not... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 12:2

My sons are with you - Possibly, however, a tinge of mortified feeling at the rejection of himself and his family, mixed with a desire to recommend his sons to the favor and goodwill of the nation, is at the bottom of this mention of them. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 12:3

His anointed - i. e., king Saul. The title Messiah, Χριστὸς Christos, unctus, or anointed, had been given to the High Priests (Leviticus 4:3 : compare also 1 Samuel 2:10, 1 Samuel 2:35); but this is the earliest instance of an actual king of Israel bearing the title of God’s Christ, and thus typifying the true Messiah or Christ of God.Any bribe - literally, a “ransom,” the fine paid by a criminal in lieu of bonds or death Exodus 21:30, applied to the bribe paid to an unjust judge to induce him... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 12:1

1 Samuel 12:1. Samuel said unto all Israel While they were assembled together in Gilgal. And this is another instance of Samuel’s great wisdom and integrity. He would not reprove the people for their sin, in desiring a king, while Saul was unsettled in his kingdom; lest, through their accustomed levity, they should as hastily cast off their king, as they had passionately desired him; and therefore he chooseth this season for it, because Saul’s kingdom was now confirmed by an eminent... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 12:2

1 Samuel 12:2. The king walketh before you Ruleth over you. To him I have fully resigned my power, and own myself one of his subjects. I am old And therefore unable to bear the burden of government. My sons are with you Or, among you, in the same state, private persons, as you are; if they have injured any of you, the law is now open against them; any of you may accuse them, your king can punish them, I do not intercede for them. Walked before you That is, been your guide and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 12:3

1 Samuel 12:3. Behold, here I am I here present myself before the Lord, and before your king, ready to give an account of all my administrations. And this protestation Samuel makes of his integrity, not out of ostentation, but for his own just vindication, that the people might not hereafter, for the defence of their own irregularities, reproach his government; and that, being publicly acquitted from all faults in his government, he might more freely reprove the sins of the people, and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 12:5

1 Samuel 12:5. The Lord is witness There cannot be a stronger or more amiable picture of integrity than we have in this speech of Samuel. Who can read it without feeling his heart touched with admiration of his character? Happy Samuel, who could thus call a whole kingdom to bear witness to his uprightness! Strange, infatuated people, that could wish to change such a governor for a king possessed of absolute power! read more

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