1 Samuel 12:2 NIV

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 12:1-25

Samuel’s second warning to the people ch. 12The writer wrote chapters 12-15 very skillfully to parallel chapters 8-11. Each section begins with Samuel warning the people about the dangers of their requesting a king (chs. 8 and 12). Each one also follows with a description of Saul’s exploits (chs. 9-10 and 13-14) and ends with Saul leading Israel in battle (chs. 11 and 15). This parallel structure vividly sets off the contrast between Saul’s early success as Israel’s king and his subsequent... read more

John Dummelow

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

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - 1 Samuel 12:2

(2) And now, behold, the king walketh before you.—No doubt, here pointing to Saul by his side. The term “walketh before you implied generally that the kingly office included the guiding and governing the people, as well as the especial duty of leading them in war; from henceforth they must accept his authority on all occasions, not merely in great emergencies. Both king and people must understand that the days when Saul could quietly betake himself to his old pursuits on the farm of the Ephraim... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - 1 Samuel 12:1-25

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

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 12:1-5

CHAPTER XVI.SAMUEL’S VINDICATION OF HIMSELF.1 Samuel 12:1-5.IT was a different audience that Samuel had to address at Gilgal from either that which came to him to Ram ah to ask for a king, or that which assembled at Mizpeh to elect one. To both of these assemblies he had solemnly conveyed his warning against the act of distrust in God implied in their wishing for a king at all, and against any disposition they might feel, when they got a king, to pay less attention than before to God’s will and... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - 1 Samuel 12:1-25

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

John Calvin

Geneva Study Bible - 1 Samuel 12:2

12:2 And now, behold, the king walketh {b} before you: and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons [are] with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day.(b) To govern you in peace and war. read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 12:1-25

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

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 12:1-25

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

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - 1 Samuel 12:1-25

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