Tyndale Open Study Notes1 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.

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.

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

• 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).

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).

Worship means nothing if it does not lead to obedience.

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).