1 Samuel 12:7

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of all the righteous acts of the LORD, which he did to you and to your fathers.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Now, hold still; because I am going to enter into judgment with you before ADONAI regarding all the righteous acts of ADONAI that he did for you and your ancestors.

Berean Standard Bible:

Now present yourselves, so that I may confront you before the LORD with all the righteous acts He has done for you and your fathers.

American Standard Version:

Now therefore stand still, that I may plead with you before Jehovah concerning all the righteous acts of Jehovah, which he did to you and to your fathers.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Now therefore stand still^{H3320}, that I may reason^{H8199} with you before^{H6440} the LORD^{H3068} of all the righteous acts^{H6666} of the LORD^{H3068}, which he did^{H6213} to you and to your fathers^{H1}.

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Commentary for 1 Samuel 12:7

1 Samuel 12:7 is a pivotal verse in the narrative of the Israelites transitioning from a tribal confederation led by judges to a monarchy. The speaker is the prophet Samuel, who is addressing the people after they have demanded a king to rule over them, a request Samuel perceives as a rejection of his leadership and of God.

In this verse, Samuel calls the people to pause and reflect ("Now therefore stand still") to consider the evidence of God's providential care and righteous deeds for their nation. He intends to recount before them, in the presence of the Lord, the history of God's faithfulness to their ancestors and to them. This recounting serves several purposes: it reminds the people of God's role as their true king and deliverer, it emphasizes the Lord's justice and righteousness in dealing with His people, and it sets the stage for Samuel to warn them of the potential consequences of rejecting God's direct rule in favor of a human king.

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the period when the Israelites were governed by a series of judges, charismatic leaders who would arise to deliver the people from various external threats. Samuel himself was one of these judges, as well as a priest and prophet. However, the people's desire for a king like those of the surrounding nations reflects both a lack of faith in God's provision and a desire for stability and security in a more conventional political structure. Samuel's address, beginning with this verse, is a poignant moment of transition for Israel, marking the end of an era and the beginning of the monarchical period, starting with King Saul, then David, and subsequent kings.

The themes present in 1 Samuel 12:7 include the sovereignty of God, the importance of remembering and reflecting upon God's past acts of deliverance, and the tension between human desires for governance and God's divine plan for His people. Samuel's call to "reason" with the people is an invitation to consider the weight of their decision in the light of their covenantal relationship with God, who has consistently acted righteously on their behalf.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3320
   There are 45 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָצַב
   Transliteration: yâtsab
   Pronunciation: yaw-tsab'
   Description: a primitive root; to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue; present selves, remaining, resort, set (selves), (be able to, can, with-) stand (fast, forth, -ing, still, up).
   
2. Strong's Number: H8199
   There are 182 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁפַט
   Transliteration: shâphaṭ
   Pronunciation: shaw-fat'
   Description: a primitive root; to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literally or figuratively); [phrase] avenge, [idiom] that condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), (be a) judge(-ment), [idiom] needs, plead, reason, rule.
   
3. Strong's Number: H6440
   There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּנִים
   Transliteration: pânîym
   Pronunciation: paw-neem'
   Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
5. Strong's Number: H6666
   There are 150 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צְדָקָה
   Transliteration: tsᵉdâqâh
   Pronunciation: tsed-aw-kaw'
   Description: from צָדַק; rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity); justice, moderately, right(-eous) (act, -ly, -ness).
   
6. Strong's Number: H6213
   There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָשָׂה
   Transliteration: ʻâsâh
   Pronunciation: aw-saw'
   Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
   
7. Strong's Number: H1
   There are 15773 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָב
   Transliteration: ʼâb
   Pronunciation: awb
   Description: a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application; chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'.