1 Samuel 12:14

KJV

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)

If ye will fear {H3372} the LORD {H3068}, and serve {H5647} him, and obey {H8085} his voice {H6963}, and not rebel {H4784} against the commandment {H6310} of the LORD {H3068}, then shall both ye and also the king {H4428} that reigneth {H4427} over you continue following {H310} the LORD {H3068} your God {H430}:

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:

Commentary

### 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](/1_samuel/12 "1 Samuel 12 - Samuel's Farewell Address"). Following Israel's insistent demand for a king, thereby rejecting the LORD's direct rule (as highlighted in [1 Samuel 8:7](/1_samuel/8-7 "1 Samuel 8:7 - Israel Rejects God as King")), 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](/1_samuel/12-15 "1 Samuel 12:15-16 - Consequences of Disobedience")).
* **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](/1_samuel/8-5 "1 Samuel 8:5 - Israel Demands a King")). 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](/joshua/5-10 "Joshua 5:10 - Passover at Gilgal")). 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](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). 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
* **Fear (Hebrew, _yare'_):** 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.
* **Serve (Hebrew, _'avad'_):** 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.
* **Rebel (Hebrew, _marah'_):** 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:
* [Deuteronomy 28:1-2](/deuteronomy/28-1 "Deuteronomy 28:1-2 - Blessings for Obedience")
* [Joshua 1:7-8](/joshua/1-7 "Joshua 1:7-8 - Prosperity Through Obedience")
* [Psalm 127:1](/psalm/127-1 "God Builds the House")

### 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
* **In what areas of my life am I most tempted to rely on human strength or wisdom rather than fearing and obeying the LORD?**
* **How does my understanding of "fearing the LORD" translate into my daily actions and choices?**
* **What does it look like to "serve him" actively in my current context, beyond mere religious rituals?**
* **Am I truly listening to God's "voice" through His Word and Spirit, and am I quick to obey, or do I find myself subtly rebelling?**
* **If the stability of a nation depends on its collective obedience, what is my personal responsibility in contributing to a culture of faithfulness?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean to "fear the LORD" in this context?**

Answer: To "fear the LORD" (Hebrew: _yare'_) 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](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom"). 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?**

Answer: 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](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Does What Pleases the Father")). 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](/romans/5-19 "Romans 5:19 - Obedience of Christ")). 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](/ephesians/2-8 "Ephesians 2:8-10 - Saved by Grace Through Faith")). 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](/philippians/1-6 "Philippians 1:6 - God Will Complete His Work")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Joshua 24:14

Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.

Deuteronomy 28:1

¶ And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe [and] to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

Deuteronomy 28:14

And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, [to] the right hand, or [to] the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

Psalms 81:12

So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: [and] they walked in their own counsels.

Psalms 81:15

The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever.

Joshua 24:20

If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.

Leviticus 20:1

¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,