1 Samuel 12 - Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

Samuel resigns his Judgeship

This chapter is a continuation of 1 Samuel 10:17-24, and the scene of the events recorded is the great national assembly at Mizpeh. Notice, however, the reference to Nahash (1 Samuel 11) in 1 Samuel 10:12.

My sons] cp. 1 Samuel 8:1-5.

His anointed] i.e. Saul the anointed king. This becomes the regular title of the king: cp. 1 Samuel 24:6-10; 1 Samuel 26:9-11, etc. The word is identical with 'Messiah' or (in its Gk. form) 'Christ.'

It is the Lord] LXX reads' the Lord is witness.' Advanced] RV 'appointed,' i.e. made them the leaders of Israel.

Into the hand of Sisera] see Judges 4.

Into the hand of the king of Moab] see Judges 3.

Jerubbaal] see Judges 6. Bedan] LXX reads 'Barak.' Jephthah] see Judges 11. Samuel] must be a later insertion either by the editor or by a scribe.

When the Lord your God was your king] cp. 1 Samuel 8:7; Judges 8:23. This is not quite in accord with the narrative of 1 Samuel 11 as it stands, where Saul has already been chosen king (1 Samuel 12:12), and where the attack on Nahash results from his own vigorous initiative.

RV 'If ye will fear.. and serve him, and hearken.. and be.. followers.. well.'

Against your fathers] i.e. in the times of the Judges.

Wheat harvest] This shows that this occurred between the middle of May and the middle of June. In Palestine a summer thunderstorm is very unusual: cp. Proverbs 21:1. Prof. G. A. Smith writes: 'In May showers are very rare, and from then till October, not only is there no rain, but a cloud seldom passes over the sky, and a thunderstorm is a miracle.'

For] The first 'for' in this v. is rightly omitted by LXX. 'And turn ye not aside after vain things which,' etc. Vain things'] i.e. idols.

For his great name's sake] The idea is explained in Exodus 32:12