1 Samuel 12:2 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 12:1-5

Here, I. Samuel gives them a short account of the late revolution, and of the present posture of their government, by way of preface to what he had further to say to them, 1 Sam. 12:1, 2. 1. For his own part, he had spent his days in their service; he began betimes to be useful among them, and had continued long so: ?I have walked before you, as a guide to direct you, as a shepherd that leads his flock (Ps. 80:1), from my childhood unto this day.? As soon as he was illuminated with the light... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 12:2

And now, behold, the king walketh before you ,.... He invested with his office, and in the exercise of it, and goes in and out as the captain, commander, and leader of the people; it is expressive of his being in the full possession of regal power and authority, and therefore Samuel might speak the more freely, as he could not be thought to have any hope and expectation of being reinstated in his government, or to have parted with it with any regret; and he wisely took this opportunity of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 12:2

My sons are with you - It is generally agreed that these words intimate that Samuel had deprived them of their public employ, and reduced them to a level with the common people. Have walked before you from my childhood - He had been a long, steady, and immaculate servant of the public. 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

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

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

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 12:1-25

Samuel’s farewell address (12:1-25)The people’s demand for a king was an insult to Samuel as well as to God. Samuel therefore called upon them to declare before God and before the king that he had been blameless in all his behaviour. He had given them no cause to be dissatisfied with his leadership (12:1-5).In the lengthy address that followed, Samuel reminded his hearers of all that God had done in giving Israel the land of Canaan for a homeland (6-8). He reminded them also that Israel’s... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 12:2

1 Samuel 12:2. Behold, the king walketh before you— When Samuel says, and my sons are with you, he seems to mean that the sons of whom they complained are now in their hands, deprived of their public station, reduced to the rank of subjects to the king, like the rest of the people, and punishable before his tribunal, according to their deserts. See Wall's note on the place. This fine apology which Samuel makes for himself puts one in mind of St. Paul's upon the like occasion. See Acts 20:33. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 12:1-5

Samuel’s self-vindication 12:1-5Why did Samuel feel the need to justify his behavior publicly? Perhaps he knew that because the people had rebelled against God by demanding a king, they would experience discipline from the Lord. When it came, he did not want anyone to think he was responsible for it. Also, it is likely that Samuel took the people’s request for a king as a personal rejection of himself. [Note: Wood, Israel’s United . . ., p. 70.] He probably wanted to show the people that they... read more