1 Samuel 12

1 Samuel 12

Chart from recommended resource Jensen's Survey of the OT - used by permission 1 Samuel Chart from Charles Swindoll TIMELINE OF THE BOOKS OF SAMUEL, KINGS & CHRONICLES 1107 1011 971 931 853 722 586 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 1 Kings 2 Kings 31 1-4 5-10 11-20 21-24 1-11 12-22 1-17 18-25 1 Chronicles 10 1 Chr 11-19 1 Chr 20-29 2 Chronicles 1-9 2 Chronicles 10-20 2 Chronicles 21-36 Legend: B.C. dates at top of timeline are approximate. Note that 931BC marks the division of the Kingdom into Southern Tribes (Judah and Benjamin) and Ten Northern Tribes. To avoid confusion be aware that after the division of the Kingdom in 931BC, the Southern Kingdom is most often designated in Scripture as "Judah" and the Northern Kingdom as "Israel." Finally, note that 1 Chronicles 1-9 is not identified on the timeline because these chapters are records of genealogy. The Ryrie Study Bible Map on Left ESV Global Study Bible, on right Jensen's Survey of the OT 1 Samuel 8 1 Samuel 9 1 Samuel 10 1 Samuel 11 1 Samuel 12 A King Requested A King Chosen King Goes Forth The Kingdom Admonished People request a king Saul comes to Samuel Saul Anointed Saul’s call to arms Samuel’s call to commitment 1 Samuel 12:1 Then Samuel said to all Israel, "Behold, I have listened to your voice in all that you said to me and I have appointed a king over you. BGT 1 Samuel 12:1 καὶ εἶπεν Σαμουηλ πρὸς πάντα ἄνδρα Ισραηλ ἰδοὺ ἤκουσα φωνῆς ὑμῶν εἰς πάντα ὅσα εἴπατέ μοι καὶ ἐβασίλευσα ἐφ᾽ ὑμᾶς βασιλέα KJV 1 Samuel 12:1 And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you. NET 1 Samuel 12:1 Samuel said to all Israel, "I have done everything you requested. I have given you a king. CSB 1 Samuel 12:1 Then Samuel said to all Israel, "I have carefully listened to everything you said to me and placed a king over you. ESV 1 Samuel 12:1 And Samuel said to all Israel, "Behold, I have obeyed your voice in all that you have said to me and have made a king over you. NIV 1 Samuel 12:1 Samuel said to all Israel, "I have listened to everything you said to me and have set a king over you. NLT 1 Samuel 12:1 Then Samuel addressed all Israel: "I have done as you asked and given you a king. NRS 1 Samuel 12:1 Samuel said to all Israel, "I have listened to you in all that you have said to me, and have set a king over you. YLT 1 Samuel 12:1 And Samuel saith unto all Israel, 'Lo, I have hearkened to your voice, to all that ye said to me, and I cause to reign over you a king, Behold: 1Sa 8:5-8,19-22 I have appointed a king over you: 1Sa 10:1,24 11:14,15 SAMUEL TAKES THE "STAGE" One might also subtitle this chapter "SSS - Samuel's Swan Song." Wikipedia says "The swan song (Ancient Greek: κύκνειον ᾆσμα; Latin: carmen cygni) is a metaphorical phrase for a final gesture, effort, or performance given just before death or retirement. The phrase refers to an ancient belief that swans sing a beautiful song just before their death since they have been silent (or alternatively not so musical) for most of their lifetime. The belief, whose basis has been long debated, had become proverbial in ancient Greece by the 3rd century BC and was reiterated many times in later Western poetry and art. Robert Bergen writes that in this chapter Samuel's career "reached its zenith at the Gilgal assembly" and he used "the occasion to unleash his full prophetic arsenal; he proclaimed stern warnings, called forth portents from nature, and issued one of the most sobering assessments of Israel’s past, present, and future found in biblical Hebrew narrative. On the whole, the chapter represents one of the theological climaxes of the Former Prophets, and takes its rightful place alongside such similarly toned sections as Joshua 24, Judges 2, 1 Kings 8, and 2 Kings 17. The thematic significance of this section is underscored by the fact that three of Samuel’s six longest recorded utterances are presented here, including his lengthiest speech (205 words in Hebrew)." (Borrow 1 & 2 Samuel - New American Commentary) Then - When is then? In the preceding passage in 1Sa 11:14-15 Samuel had gathered all Israel at Gilgal for Saul's official coronation followed by sacrifices and a time of thanksgiving and rejoicing. Since all Israel is also present in this verse, the then marks a progression in the narrative and apparently still occurs at Gilgal. Brian Bell makes a great point - In 1 Samuel 11 Saul & the people rejoiced over the deliverance of Jabesh-Gilead from the Ammonites, & Saul was careful to give the glory to the Lord.(11:13b) The fact that Saul led the army in a great victory would tempt them to put their faith in their new king. Samuel wanted them to know their future success rested in trusting Jehovah alone. Samuel will mention the Lord 30 times in this message. Rousing speeches on big occasions can change human behavior. (JFK; MLK) Yet, Samuel’s speech is not underwritten by clever rhetoric, it’s a speech underwritten by the Lord himself who is responding to a rebellious people. It’s a coronation address, a revival sermon, & a farewell speech. Outline: Our theme this morning is Faithfulness! Samuel’s Faithfulness; The Lord’s Faithfulness; & The People Faithlessness. In 1912 William Borden, a graduate of Yale University, left one of America’s greatest family fortunes to be a missionary to China. He got as far as Egypt and died of cerebral meningitis. He died - and was only in his 20s - but there was “no reserve, no retreat, no regrets” in his consecration to God. 2. Was he unsuccessful? I think he was radically successful because he was wholly faithful. 3. I think of David Livingstone, the pioneer missionary to Africa, who walked over 29,000 miles. His wife died early in their ministry & he faced stiff opposition from his Scottish brethren. And, he ministered half blind. Words in his diary: Send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. Sever me from any tie but the tie that binds me to Your service & to Your heart Samuel said to all Israel - This is Samuel's last public address and in fact the entire chapter is Samuel's address to Israel. Samuel "closes the books" on his role as Israel's national leader. It is as if he is passing the baton to King Saul, but before he does, he offers some words of warning. Samuel's point is a king does not free them from their need to obey the LORD's revealed will. "Behold, (hinneh; idou = aorist imperative) I have listened (shama) to your voice in all that you said to me and I have appointed (set, placed) a king over you - The Hebrew literally = Heb “I have listened to your voice.” ESV has "I have obeyed your voice." He is saying he had cooperation with Israel, even though he did not believe that was the best for them. Samuel obeyed God Who had told him to obey the people declaring "Listen to the voice of the people in regard to all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being king over them." (1Sa 8:7+, cf 1Sa 8:9) Despite his reservations, it was Samuel who had appointed Israel's first human king.