1 Samuel 12

The confirmation of Saul as king at Gilgal was the last step in making him king (1 Samuel 11:12–15). It was also a suitable time for Samuel to give his farewell speech as Israel's leader.

• God chose Saul as the anointed one (see 1 Samuel 9:16).

• Whose ox or donkey have I taken?: Compare with Numbers 16:15.

• Whom have I cheated or oppressed?: This contrasts with the actions of kings (1 Samuel 8:11–16).

• have I accepted a bribe and closed my eyes?: No, but Samuel’s sons did (1 Samuel 8:3).

you have not found anything in my hand: Samuel's life and leadership in Israel were beyond criticism (see 1 Corinthians 9:1–14; 2 Corinthians 7:2; 11:7–9; 1 Thessalonians 2:1–12). Saul, David, and Solomon, who were kings instead of prophetic judges, could not make this claim.

Moses and Aaron did not become leaders on their own. God appointed them as leaders.

In 1 Samuel 12:1–5, Samuel examined himself and was found innocent. In 1 Samuel 12:6–25, he examined the nation and found it guilty.

• sold them into the hand: See Judges 3:8; 4:1–3.

• the king of Moab: See Judges 3:12. Not all of Israel’s enemies during the time of the judges are listed (for example, the Ammonites and Midianites). This list highlights the significant events of that time.

• Then they cried out to the LORD: Sometimes suffering is what turns people’s hearts toward God. During the time of the judges, Israel often went through cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and rescue.

• Baals and Ashtoreths: When people turn away from God, they often turn to idols (see 1 Samuel 7:3; Judges 2:13; 10:6).

• Thinking that God must rescue us if we worship him turns worship into a cheap deal, where God must act to please someone. God deserves obedience and worship because he is God, not for the favors he can do.

• As in 1 Samuel 12:9, this list gives examples of some leaders.

• Barak: The Berean Standard Bible follows Greek and Syriac versions, which read "Barak" (see Judges 4:6–24; 5:1, 12, 15). Some translations follow the Hebrew, which reads "Bedan." We are not sure who this judge is.

when you saw that Nahash … was moving against you: Israel's trouble with Nahash likely started before the events described in 1 Samuel 11:1–11 (see 8:5, 20; 10:27).

Although the Israelites rejected God as their king, the Lord still granted their request (see study notes on 1 Samuel 8:7 and 8:8).

Worship means nothing if it does not lead to obedience.

To show that Israel still had to keep its covenant (promises between God and his people) even under a monarchy, Samuel used language from the Sinai covenant. This reminded the people that the Lord was always their true king (for example, Exodus 19:5–6; Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 30:11–20).

The wheat harvest happened in late spring or early summer when it rarely rained in Israel. Thunder and rain would show God's power as a sign of the people's wrongdoing in asking for a king.

greatly feared: See Exodus 19:16 for reference.

• The people asked Samuel to pray for them (see also 1 Samuel 7:8) instead of praying themselves, likely because they were not close to God (notice they say "your God" instead of "our God").

• added to all our sins: Their sins included idol worship (1 Samuel 12:21; see study note on 1 Samuel 8:8).

worthless … they are empty: Israel was slow to understand this lesson (for example, Isaiah 40:18–26; 44:9–20).

• for the sake of His great name: He always keeps his promises, even if his people do not (see also Isaiah 37:35; 43:25; 48:9–11).

• His people: Israel, are his treasured possession (see Exodus 19:5; Deuteronomy 9:25–29). He will never abandon them (see Romans 11:1–5, 25–32).

• I will continue to teach you: Samuel was both a mediator and a teacher.

• Although this speech ended Samuel's political leadership, he continued his spiritual work for a while (for example, 1 Samuel 19:24).

swept away: David later used this same Hebrew word for Saul’s death (1 Samuel 26:10, “die … into battle”) and for his own possible death at Saul’s hands (27:1, “get me”). This warning would continue to apply throughout Israel’s history as a monarchy (when it was ruled by kings).