(15) But if ye will not obey.—The English translation here, with several of the versions, accurately and happily understands the Hebrew in the sense of “as:” “as it was against your fathers.” Rabbi D. Kimchi prefers to understand “fathers” as put for “kings”: “the hand of the Lord shall be against you and your kings.” The LXX. reads, “against you and your king.” read more
Samuel's Dismissal 1 Samuel 12:12-15 Some one has said, 'In addition to other graces a good man ought to pray for is the grace to resign his office when his work is done'. Samuel was the last of the judges and prophets. He had ruled with conspicuous ability, justice, success. Under his control, it is true, the people had suffered from the attacks of the neighbouring tribes, but defeat had not been due to Samuel's holding the rein of government. I. Samuel himself might be good, righteous, just,... read more
CHAPTER XVII.SAMUEL’S DEALINGS WITH THE PEOPLE.1 Samuel 12:6-25.2. HAVING vindicated himself (in the first five verses of this chapter, 1 Samuel 12:1-5), Samuel now proceeds to his second point, and takes the people in hand. But before proceeding to close quarters with them, he gives a brief review of the history of the nation, in order to bring out the precise relation in which they stood to God, and the duty resulting from that relation (1 Samuel 12:6-12 vers.). First, he brings out the... read more
5. Samuel’s Witness and Warning CHAPTER 12 1. His witness to his own integrity (1 Samuel 12:1-5 ) 2. His warning (1 Samuel 12:6-15 ) 3. Heaven’s answer (1 Samuel 12:16-19 ) 4. His words of comfort (1 Samuel 12:20-25 ) What a scene! The man of God, the man of prayer, now advanced in years, stands before them. “I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day.” Here was not a Nazarite who had failed like Samson, but one who had lived out his Nazariteship in the fullest sense of... read more
12:15 But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as [it was] against your {i} fathers.(i) Meaning, the governors. read more
This chapter intervenes in the history as a solemn reproof to Israel and a warning of the dangers to which they had exposed themselves by asking for a king The voice of the prophet is not to be put in the background because the people have a king, Samuel brings to Israel's attention some plain facts, the significance of which they ought to seriously consider. They had been given their way, with a king established over them, Now he had become old. He invites their criticism. Had he used the... read more
SAUL CONFIRMED AS KING THE PEASANT BECOMES A PRINCE There was one verse in the last lesson (1 Samuel 10:6 ) we should think of more fully. When Samuel said the Spirit of the Lord would come upon Saul and he would be turned into another man, it is not necessary to suppose it meant his regeneration. There is a question as to whether Saul ever was regenerated, for his life-story would not lead us to believe he was. The Spirit of the Lord coming on a man is one thing, and the Spirit of Lord... read more
Samuel's Defence 1 Samuel 12:0 IT would seem that a fitting time had now come for Samuel's retirement from his great position. We are all conscious of the fitness of certain historical occasions, so much so that we can adopt the duties which they suggest with a sense of harmony and rectitude. After the splendid victory acquired by Saul it would seem as if the dispensation of Samuel must naturally close. Blessed is he who can say, "He must increase, but I must decrease;" and still more blessed... read more
(8) When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried unto the LORD, then the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, which brought forth your fathers out of Egypt, and made them dwell in this place. (9) And when they forgat the LORD their God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them. (10) And they cried unto the LORD, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken... read more
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John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 12:1-25
Samuel resigns his JudgeshipThis chapter is a continuation of 1 Samuel 10:17-24, and the scene of the events recorded is the great national assembly at Mizpeh. Notice, however, the reference to Nahash (1 Samuel 11) in 1 Samuel 10:12.2. My sons] cp. 1 Samuel 8:1-5. 3. His anointed] i.e. Saul the anointed king. This becomes the regular title of the king: cp. 1 Samuel 24:6-10; 1 Samuel 26:9-11, etc. The word is identical with ’Messiah’ or (in its Gk. form) ’Christ.’6. It is the Lord] LXX reads’... read more