1 Samuel 12:13

Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, [and] whom ye have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you.

Now therefore behold the king {H4428} whom ye have chosen {H977}, and whom ye have desired {H7592}! and, behold, the LORD {H3068} hath set {H5414} a king {H4428} over you.

Now, here's the king you have chosen, the one you asked for. See, ADONAI has put a king over you.

Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you requested. Behold, the LORD has placed a king over you.

Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have asked for: and, behold, Jehovah hath set a king over you.

Commentary

1 Samuel 12:13 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history, as the prophet Samuel addresses the nation during his farewell speech, reminding them of their choice and God's sovereign hand.

Context of 1 Samuel 12:13

This verse comes as Samuel concludes his long and faithful service as judge over Israel. The people, desiring to be "like all the nations," had vehemently demanded a king to rule over them, rejecting God's direct leadership through judges (as seen in 1 Samuel 8:5 and 1 Samuel 8:7). Despite Samuel's warnings about the potential hardships under a monarchy (1 Samuel 8:11-18), God ultimately relented, allowing them to have their desired ruler, Saul, who had just been publicly confirmed as king.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Human Desire vs. Divine Will: The verse highlights the tension between the people's insistence on having a king ("whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired") and God's allowance of their choice. While God had a plan for a future kingship, the timing and the people's motivation were rooted in a lack of trust in His direct rule.
  • God's Sovereignty: Even in their demand, Samuel declares, "the LORD hath set a king over you." This emphasizes that God remains sovereign, orchestrating events even when human choices deviate from His perfect will. He permitted, and thus established, the monarchy. This demonstrates God's ability to work His purposes through human decisions, even flawed ones, a theme echoed in Proverbs 16:9 and Daniel 2:21.
  • Consequences of Choice: Samuel's words serve as a subtle warning. The people got what they wanted, but it came with responsibilities and potential pitfalls that would unfold throughout Saul's reign.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrases "whom ye have chosen" and "whom ye have desired" translate Hebrew words that convey a strong, active preference and insistence on the part of the people. The word for "set" (Hebrew: natan) implies that the LORD "gave" or "appointed" the king. This isn't necessarily an endorsement of their desire but an acknowledgment of His permissive will and ultimate authority in establishing rulers.

Practical Application

1 Samuel 12:13 reminds us to be careful what we ask for and to examine the motivations behind our desires. While God in His grace often grants our requests, even those not perfectly aligned with His ideal plan, there can be unforeseen consequences. It underscores the importance of seeking God's will above our own preferences, trusting in His perfect wisdom. Furthermore, it reinforces the comforting truth that God remains in control, even amidst human decisions, and can use every circumstance to further His ultimate purposes.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 10:24

    And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that [there is] none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.

  • Hosea 13:11

    I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took [him] away in my wrath.

  • 1 Samuel 8:5

    And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.

  • Psalms 78:29

    So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire;

  • Psalms 78:31

    The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen [men] of Israel.

  • 1 Samuel 11:15

    And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.

  • Acts 13:21

    And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.
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