TRV
“The Conditions for the New Monarchy”· 1 Samuel 12:13–15
Translation
King James Version
If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God:
KJV (with Strong's)
Complete Jewish Bible
If you will fear ADONAI, serve him, obey what he says and not rebel against ADONAI's orders - if both you and the king ruling you remain followers of ADONAI your God - [then things will go well for you.]
Berean Standard Bible
If you fear the LORD and serve Him and obey His voice, and if you do not rebel against the command of the LORD, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the LORD your God, then all will be well.
American Standard Version
If ye will fear Jehovah, and serve him, and hearken unto his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of Jehovah, and both ye and also the king that reigneth over you be followers of Jehovah your God, well:
World English Bible Messianic
If you will fear the LORD, and serve him, and listen to his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then both you and also the king who reigns over you are followers of the LORD your God.
Geneva Bible (1599)
If ye wil feare the Lord and serue him, and heare his voyce, and not disobey the worde of the Lord, both yee, and the King that reigneth ouer you, shall follow the Lord your God.
Young's Literal Translation
`If ye fear Jehovah, and have served Him, and hearkened to His voice, then ye do not provoke the mouth of Jehovah, and ye have been--both ye and the king who hath reigned over you--after Jehovah your God.
See also
In the KJVVerse 7,475 of 31,102 · 24.0%
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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 1 Samuel 12:6–15. His two-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
Passage under comment1 Samuel 12:6–15
6¶ And Samuel said unto the people, It is the LORD that advanced Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt.
7Now 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.
8When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried unto the LORD, then the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, which brought forth your fathers out of Egypt, and made them dwell in this place.
9And when they forgat the LORD their God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them.
10And they cried unto the LORD, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee.
11And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe.
12And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the LORD your God was your king.
13Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you.
14If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God:
15But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers.
I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points
Samuel, having sufficiently secured his own reputation, instead of upbraiding the people upon it with their unkindness to him, sets himself to instruct them, and keep them in the way of their duty, and then the change of the government would be the less damage to them.
I.He reminds them of the great goodness of God to them and to their fathers, gives them an abstract of the history of their nation, that, by the consideration of the great things God had done for them, they might be for ever engaged to love him and serve him. "Come," says he (Sa1 12:7), "stand still, stand in token of reverence when God is speaking to you, stand still in token of attention and composedness of mind, and give me leave to reason with you." Religion has reason on its side, Isa 1:18. The work of ministers is to reason with people, not only to exhort and direct, but to persuade, to convince men's judgments, and so to gain their wills and affections. Let reason rule men, and they will be good. He reasons of the righteous acts of the Lord, that is, "both the benefits he hath bestowed upon you, in performance of his promises, and the punishments he has inflicted on you for your sins." His favours are called his righteous acts (Jdg 5:11), because in them he is just to his own honour. He not only puts them in mind of what God had done for them in their days, but of what he had done of old, in the days of their fathers, because the present age had the benefit of God's former favours. We may suppose that his discourse was much larger than as here related. 1. he reminds them of their deliverance out of Egypt. Into that house of bondage Jacob and his family came down poor and little; when they were oppressed they cried unto God, who advanced Moses and Aaron, from mean beginnings, to be their deliverers, and the founders of their state and settlement in Canaan, Sa1 12:6, Sa1 12:8. 2. He reminds them of the miseries and calamities which their fathers brought themselves into by forgetting God and serving other gods, Sa1 12:9. They enslaved themselves, for they were sold as criminals and captives into the hand of oppressors. They exposed themselves to the desolation of war, and their neighbours fought against them. 3. He reminds them of their fathers' repentance and humiliation before God for their idolatries: They said, We have sinned, Sa1 12:10. Let not them imitate the sins of their fathers, for what they had done amiss they had many a time wished undone again. In the day of their distress they had sought unto God, and had promised to serve him; let their children then reckon that good at all times which they found good in bad times. 4. He reminds them of the glorious deliverances God had wrought for them, the victories he had blessed them with, and their happy settlements, many a time, after days of trouble and distress, Sa1 12:11. He specifies some of their judges, Gideon and Jephthah, great conquerors in their time; among the rest he mentions Bedan, whom we read not of any where else: he might be some eminent person, that was instrumental of salvation to them, though not recorded in the book of Judges, such a one as Shamgar, of whom it is said that he delivered Israel, but not that he judged them, Jdg 3:31. Perhaps this Bedan guarded and delivered them on one side, at the same time when some other of the judges appeared and acted for them on another side. Some think it was the same with Jair (so the learned Mr. Poole), others the same with Samson, who was Ben Dan, a son of Dan, of that tribe, and the Spirit of the Lord came upon him Be-Dan, inn Dan, in the camp of Can. Samuel mentions himself, not to his own praise, but to the honour of God, who had made him an instrument of subduing the Philistines. 5. At last he puts them in mind of God's late favour to the present generation, in gratifying them with a king, when they would prescribe to God by such a one to save them out of the hand of Nahash king of Ammon, Sa1 12:12, Sa1 12:13. Now it appears that this was the immediate occasion of their desiring a king: Nahash threatened them; they desired Samuel to nominate a general; he told them that God was commander-in-chief in all their wars and they needed no other, that what was wanting in them should be made up by his power: The Lord is your king. But they insisted on it, Nay, but a king shall reign over us. "And now," said he, "you have a king, a king of your own asking - let that be spoken to your shame; but a king of God's making - let that be spoken to his honour and the glory of his grace." God did not cast them off, even when they in effect cast him off.
II.He shows them that they are now upon their good behaviour, they and their king.
Let them not think that they had now cut themselves off from all dependence upon God, and that now, having a king of their own, the making of their own fortunes (as men foolishly call it) was in their own hands; no, still their judgment must proceed from the Lord. He tells them plainly,
1.That their obedience to God would certainly be their happiness, Sa1 12:14. If they would not revolt from God to idols, nor rebel against him by breaking his commandments, but would persevere in their allegiance to him, would fear his wrath, serve his interests, and obey his will, then they and their king should certainly be happy; but observe how the promise is expressed: Then you shall continue following the Lord your God; that is, (1.) "You shall continue in the way of your duty to God, which will be your honour and comfort." Note, To those that are sincere in their religion God will give grace to persevere in it: those that follow God faithfully will be divinely strengthened to continue following him. And observe, Following God is a work that is its own wages. It is the matter of a promise as well as of a precept. (2.) "You shall continue under the divine guidance and protection:" You shall be after the Lord, so it is in the original, that is, "he will go before you to lead and prosper you, and make your way plain. The Lord is with you while you are with him."
2.That their disobedience would as certainly be their ruin (Sa1 12:15): "If you rebel, think not that your having a king will secure you against God's judgments, and that having in this instance made yourselves like the nations you may sin at as cheap a rate as they can. No, the hand of the Lord will be against you, as it was against your fathers when they offended him, in the days of the judges." We mistake if we think that we can evade God's justice by shaking off his dominion. If God shall not rule us, yet he will judge us.
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Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
If you fear the Lord and serve Him, etc. It is understood of all that he noted; because evidently by their merits, as the rule of their first king, so the entire kingdom which they demanded against the will of God, would have worse times in its latter days than in its earlier ones: and meanwhile, as long as they feared God, they would be blessed with good kings; and as often as they neglected Him, they would be punished with evil kings: and finally, when wickedness increased, they would exchange the kingdom itself, along with freedom and homeland, for captivity or death. Likewise, the sign of transgression and the hard-heartedness of the people was no small matter, and the more terrible because it manifested itself in a way unfamiliar to those regions: voices and rain during the wheat harvest, which in the promised land throughout the entire summer only come by great miracles, to thus signify that all who desire to rule themselves against God’s long-recognized will, and to serve their own desires, are acting in an improper order: in a time when after receiving the Word they ought to bear ripe fruits of good works, they demonstrate by their disordered morals that they still need the correction or exhortation of the divine voice to teach them the elements of the beginnings of God’s words. What if someone seeks to explain this reading allegorically? It easily occurs, considering that Samuel, as the king walked before Israel, declared that he was now old, but from his youth he had lived innocently before them with witnesses from the Lord and His Christ. Because now, with the prophetic foretellings reigning in the Church Lord Jesus Christ, the books of the law and the prophets indeed bear witness to Him; and everywhere affirm, that, with the witness of the Father and the Son, and indeed the Holy Spirit, the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just and good. Let no place be given to a Manichaean or his associates, in which they might blame the other writings of Scripture, not even one jot can pass from it, nor the giver of the same: nor does anyone who knows himself to be redeemed by the grace of new light doubt that the figures of the prophets have not aged. What is it then when he says he did not take anyone's ox or donkey? Because evidently the prophetic and legal Scripture did not deprive anyone of the triple duty of rightly dealing with a neighbor, or of the duty of correcting and instructing a neighbor, by suggesting anything evil. For the donkey, which by its innate gentleness is accustomed to carrying necessary loads and even people, signifies the love suitable to brotherly utility. The ox, which not only carries the imposed burdens of flesh but also prepares the fields by plowing furrows for the seeds, signifies those who, indeed, not only bear the weaknesses of their brethren but also by chastising uproot their sluggish hearts and cultivate them to receive the seed of the word. These two types of people, if I am not mistaken, encompass the entire company of workers of the Church. Thus Samuel took neither an ox nor a donkey from anyone; because old holy Scripture deprived neither the learned of the skill of teaching nor the simpler ones of the modesty of living piously with brethren. Furthermore, what it means to say: If you fear the Lord, and you and your king who rules over you follow the Lord: but if not, the hand of the Lord will be against you. And what he concluded with: If you persist in wickedness, both you and your king will perish together. For he who properly keeps the sacraments of faith, will follow the warnings of that God and Lord, of whom the only true king of Israel said: As I have kept my Father's commandments and remain in His love (John XV). But he who hears and does not heed the voice of the Lord, the divine hand remains on him until he repents. But he who persists obstinately till death, such a person, since he belongs to the most evil king Antichrist, will be damned to eternal perdition with him. For not only those who attach themselves to Antichrist in the end times, visibly rising against God, are considered to serve his kingdom: but even today, many who have been initiated into the mysteries of faith, when they immerse themselves in various crimes, are found to be serving his kingdom impiously: and it is said to them from prophetic reading: If you fear the Lord and serve Him, both you and your king who rules over you, that is, the Lord Jesus Christ, follow the Lord God, the Father of the same our God and Lord Jesus Christ; but if you persist in wickedness, both you and your king Antichrist (then you will have him as king) will perish together. However, what is mentioned among other things, and you will know and see that you have done a great evil in the eyes of the Lord, asking for a king over you; it does not seem easy to refer this to Christ the king, whom anyone who humbly seeks to reign over himself, does not do any evil, but a great good, so much so that anyone who neglects to do this one thing, cannot do any other good; unless it is said that, with the increasing sin of men, it happened that the Son of God came in human flesh to suffer; who if man had never sinned, would never have fought against the enemy in man: and therefore, after sending angels, patriarchs, and prophets many times to educate the human race, in the fullness of time, since He foresaw that men would sin more grievously, reserved His own coming to reveal, that where sin abounded, grace more abounded: and rightly it is understood, because those who did not want to listen to Moses and the prophets, but compelled the Son of God to come in the flesh by the enormity of their sins, did a great evil. Neither does the parable of the vineyard in the gospel contradict this sense, whose wicked tenants, refusing to give fruits in due season and after wickedly beating, stoning, and mistreating the servants of their Lord, caused Him to send His only Son to them. But what is said about voices and rains from heaven in the time of the wheat harvest can also be interpreted in a good sense; so that we understand the voice of evangelical preaching as spiritually thundered from the heavens, in a time when hearts yielding fruits to the law should be gathered into the granaries of the early Church. And it can be said thus that the apostles themselves were reapers in those who already knew the law and made it, in calling them to the grace of the Gospel: irrigators in those who had not yet known the words of the law, and of whom it is said: Lift up your eyes and see the fields, that they are white already to harvest (John IV). But concerning those, I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase (1 Cor. III): it should be understood more diligently, and drawn to the imitation of virtue, that blessed Samuel, being rejected by the people and expelled from leadership, nonetheless did not cease to bring the word of zealous exhortation and the help of pious intercession. Far be it from me, he said, to sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will teach you the good and right way. O remarkable example of fraternal love, he, innocent of leadership, even a most holy prophet and priest, is expelled, and he considers it a sin against the Lord if he does not strive to elevate those who rejected him to eternal joys, equally by praying and admonishing.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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Summary
1 Samuel 12:14 encapsulates a pivotal conditional promise delivered by Samuel during his farewell address to Israel. It declares that if both the people and their newly appointed king remain faithful to the LORD—demonstrating reverence, active service, obedience to His voice, and a refusal to rebel against His commands—then their collective well-being and the stability of their monarchy will be sustained under God's continued guidance and blessing. This verse underscores the enduring principle that true national and individual flourishing is contingent upon unwavering covenantal fidelity to God, even amidst the establishment of a human king.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is situated within Samuel's powerful and poignant farewell address to the nation of Israel, recorded in 1 Samuel 12. Following Israel's insistent demand for a king, thereby rejecting the LORD's direct rule (as highlighted in 1 Samuel 8:7), Samuel has anointed Saul as their first monarch. In this discourse, Samuel recounts God's faithful acts throughout Israel's history, from their deliverance from Egypt to the present day, emphasizing that God has always been their true deliverer. He then issues a solemn warning and a conditional promise, reminding both the people and their new king that their future prosperity and security depend entirely on their obedience to God, not on the strength of their human leadership. Verse 14 serves as the core of this conditional statement, setting the stage for the consequences of obedience or disobedience detailed in the verses that follow (1 Samuel 12:15-16).
Historical & Cultural Context
The historical setting is the transition period in Israel from a tribal confederacy led by judges to a centralized monarchy. This was a significant shift, as surrounding nations were governed by kings, and Israel desired to be "like all the nations" (1 Samuel 8:5). Samuel's address takes place at Gilgal, a historically significant site where Israel had renewed their covenant with God after entering Canaan (Joshua 5:10). The cultural expectation was that a king would provide military leadership and stability. However, Samuel reminds them that their unique identity and true security lay not in human institutions but in their covenant relationship with Yahweh. The concept of "fearing the LORD" was foundational to Israelite piety, signifying a reverential awe and submission to God's authority, which was expected to translate into ethical and religious obedience, distinct from the fear of pagan deities or human rulers.
Key Themes
The primary theme is Covenantal Obedience and its Consequences. The "if... then..." structure of the verse directly mirrors the conditional nature of the Mosaic Covenant, where blessings were promised for obedience and curses for disobedience, as extensively outlined in Deuteronomy 28. This verse extends this principle to the newly established monarchy, emphasizing that even a human king does not supersede God's ultimate authority. Another crucial theme is Shared Responsibility. Samuel explicitly states that "both ye and also the king" are accountable for fearing, serving, and obeying the LORD. This highlights that the spiritual health and success of the nation are a collective endeavor, requiring faithfulness from both leadership and the populace. The verse also touches on The Nature of True Submission, which is holistic, encompassing inner reverence ("fear"), active devotion ("serve"), attentive listening and compliance ("obey his voice"), and a deliberate rejection of defiance ("not rebel"). This comprehensive submission is presented as the only path to sustained divine favor and national stability.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term, often translated as "fear," carries a much deeper meaning than mere terror. In a covenantal context, it denotes a profound reverence, awe, and worship that acknowledges God's supreme majesty, power, and holiness. This reverential fear is the foundational attitude that leads to trust, obedience, and devotion, rather than a paralyzing dread. It implies a recognition of God's authority and a desire to live in alignment with His will.
This word signifies active worship, labor, and dedication. It implies a life of practical service and devotion to God, not just a passive belief. In the context of the covenant, it refers to fulfilling one's duties and obligations to God, whether through ritual worship, ethical living, or carrying out His commands in daily life. It implies a commitment of one's entire being to God.
This verb means to be rebellious, disobedient, or defiant. It implies an active, deliberate act of resistance against authority, specifically God's commandment. The contrast with "obey his voice" is stark, highlighting that there is no neutral ground; one either submits to God's authority or actively defies it. This word emphasizes the gravity of choosing to go against God's revealed will.
Verse Breakdown
"If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD"
This opening clause establishes the conditional premise for divine blessing. It outlines four interconnected actions that constitute true covenantal fidelity. "Fearing the LORD" is the inward posture of reverential awe. "Serving him" is the outward expression of active devotion and worship. "Obeying his voice" implies attentive listening and compliance with God's revealed will. "Not rebelling against the commandment of the LORD" is the active avoidance of defiance and disobedience. Together, these form a comprehensive picture of holistic submission to God's authority and will.
"then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God"
This is the promised outcome, the consequence of fulfilling the conditions. The blessing is twofold: it applies to "ye" (the people) and "also the king." The phrase "continue following the LORD your God" (often translated as "continue with" or "be with") signifies sustained divine presence, favor, and guidance. It implies stability, prosperity, and protection for both the nation and its leadership, indicating that their success is not dependent on human strength or strategy but on their unwavering alignment with God's purposes.
Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 1 Samuel 12:14 is Conditional Statement, expressed through the "If... then..." structure. This rhetorical pattern clearly links human action to divine consequence, emphasizing the principle of covenantal reciprocity. The verse also employs Parallelism in its enumeration of faithful actions ("fear," "serve," "obey," "not rebel"), creating a comprehensive and emphatic description of what true submission entails. The use of Antithesis is evident in the contrast between "obey his voice" and "not rebel against the commandment," highlighting the two opposing paths and their respective outcomes. Furthermore, there is a subtle use of Synecdoche where "the king that reigneth over you" stands for the entire institution of the monarchy, signifying that the principles of obedience apply to the new governmental structure as a whole, not just the individual ruler.
Theological and Thematic Connections
1 Samuel 12:14 powerfully articulates the enduring theological truth that God's covenantal relationship with His people is fundamentally conditional, requiring faithful obedience for sustained blessing. Even with the establishment of a human monarchy, God's ultimate sovereignty and the principles of His kingdom remain unchanged. This verse underscores that true security and flourishing, whether for individuals, leaders, or nations, are not found in human systems or power but in unwavering fidelity to the divine will. It serves as a reminder that God's expectations of His people are consistent across all dispensations and forms of governance, emphasizing that reverence, service, and obedience are the pathways to His continued presence and favor.
This principle resonates throughout Scripture:
Reflection and Application
1 Samuel 12:14 offers timeless wisdom for individuals, leaders, and communities across all generations. It challenges us to examine the foundation of our security and prosperity. Do we place our trust in human systems, political leaders, or our own abilities, or do we acknowledge God as the ultimate source of stability and blessing? For individuals, this verse calls for a holistic submission to God: not just outward religious observance, but an inner reverence that shapes our actions, an active service that expresses our devotion, and a ready obedience to His Word that shuns rebellion. For those in leadership, it serves as a solemn reminder that authority is a sacred trust, and its effectiveness is directly tied to the leader's personal and public fidelity to God's principles. For communities and nations, it highlights the profound truth that societal health and peace are deeply intertwined with collective adherence to divine commands. True flourishing, therefore, is not merely a matter of good governance or economic strength, but fundamentally a spiritual matter of fearing, serving, and obeying the LORD.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does it mean to "fear the LORD" in this context?
To "fear the LORD" (Hebrew: yârêʼ) in 1 Samuel 12:14 does not mean to be terrified of God in a paralyzing way, but rather to hold Him in profound reverence, awe, and respect. It signifies acknowledging His supreme majesty, holiness, and authority, which naturally leads to a desire to obey and serve Him. This reverential fear is the foundation of true wisdom and a right relationship with God, as seen in Proverbs 9:10. It implies a humble submission to His will and a deep appreciation for His power and grace.
How does this verse apply to modern nations and leaders who may not acknowledge God?
While 1 Samuel 12:14 is specifically addressed to ancient Israel, a covenant nation, the underlying principle of cause and effect between obedience to divine principles and societal well-being remains universally applicable. Even for nations that do not explicitly acknowledge God, the moral and ethical principles embedded in God's law (e.g., justice, righteousness, integrity) are foundational for stable and prosperous societies. When leaders and citizens operate in alignment with these universal truths, there is a greater likelihood of peace and flourishing. Conversely, widespread rebellion against moral order, even if not explicitly framed as rebellion against God, often leads to societal decay and instability, as the consequences of sin are inherent in creation.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
1 Samuel 12:14, with its emphasis on conditional obedience for sustained blessing, finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Christ. While the Old Covenant's "if... then..." structure highlighted Israel's perpetual struggle with obedience, the New Covenant, established through Jesus, provides a different foundation. Humanity's inability to perfectly "fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel" ultimately led to the brokenness described throughout the Old Testament. Jesus Christ, however, perfectly fulfilled every requirement of the law. He is the one who perfectly feared the Father, served Him in complete devotion, obeyed His voice without deviation, and never rebelled against His commandment (John 8:29). Through His perfect life, atoning death, and resurrection, Christ secured for believers the blessing of continuing "following the LORD your God," not based on our own flawed obedience, but on His perfect obedience imputed to us (Romans 5:19). Now, through faith in Him, believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to genuinely fear, serve, and obey God, not to earn salvation, but as a joyful response to the grace already received (Ephesians 2:8-10). The promise of "continuing following the LORD" is no longer precarious, but secured in Christ, who guarantees our perseverance and ultimate glorification with God (Philippians 1:6).