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 gathered men of war round him ( 1 Samuel 14:52 ), the moral power possessed by Samuel would be overshadowed by the physical force which was at Saul's command. But no formal change was made. It had been the weakness of the office of the judges that their power was irregular, and exercised fitfully on special occasions. Such a power must fall into abeyance in the presence of the regular authority of a king surrounded by armed men. Without any direct deposition, therefore, or even still retaining the form of his office, Samuel would henceforward chiefly act as the prophet, and Saul as Jehovah's king.

The address divides itself into three parts:—

1. The testimony to Samuel's integrity as judge ( 1 Samuel 12:1-5 ).

2. The reproof of the people for their disobedience and ingratitude ( 1 Samuel 12:6-17 ).

3. The Divine testimony to Samuel's uprightness and teaching ( 1 Samuel 12:18-25 ).

SAMUEL 'S INTEGRITY ( 1 Samuel 12:1-5 ).

I have hearkened unto your voice. See 1 Samuel 8:7 , 1 Samuel 8:9 , 1 Samuel 8:22 .