1 Samuel 12 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments

  • 1 Samuel 12:1-25 open_in_new

    1 Samuel 12. Samuel's Farewell. From the Deuteronomic document, where it separated the two clauses of 1 Samuel 10:25, which see.

    1 Samuel 12:1-6 a (to witness). In response to a solemn adjuration from Samuel, the people agree that his administration has been pure.

    1 Samuel 12:3. to blind mine eyes therewith: LXX even a pair of shoes? Answer against me, and I will, etc. (mg.).

    1 Samuel 12:6 a - 1 Samuel 12:11. Samuel briefly reviews the history of Israel, showing the gracious dealings of Yahweh with His people and their ingratitude. The author forgot that he was composing a speech for Samuel, and mentions him in the third person, as one of the deliverers of Israel.

    1 Samuel 12:8. made them: read with LXX, He (Yahweh) made.

    1 Samuel 12:11. Bedan: read Barak, with LXX.

    1 Samuel 12:12-25. Samuel reproaches the people for their disloyalty to Yahweh in asking for a king; in the future obedience will be rewarded, and disobedience punished. At Samuel's prayer, a miraculous thunderstorm (cf. 1 Samuel 7:10), at a time (wheat-harvest, May-June) when thunder was unusual, confirms his words. The terror-stricken people beg for Samuel's intercession. He reassures them, and promises to pray for them and guide them.