1 Samuel 12:6

KJV

¶ 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Samuel {H8050} said {H559} unto the people {H5971}, It is the LORD {H3068} that advanced {H6213} Moses {H4872} and Aaron {H175}, and that brought {H5927} your fathers {H1} up {H5927} out of the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Sh'mu'el said to the people, "It was ADONAI who appointed Moshe and Aharon and who brought your ancestors up from the land of Egypt.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Samuel said to the people, “The LORD is the One who appointed Moses and Aaron, and who brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt.

American Standard Version

And Samuel said unto the people, It is Jehovah that appointed Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Samuel's address in 1 Samuel 12:6 serves as a foundational declaration of Yahweh's sovereign initiative in Israel's history, reminding a nation that has just demanded a human king of God's consistent faithfulness. By recalling the divine appointment of Moses and Aaron and the miraculous Exodus from Egypt, Samuel underscores that Israel's very existence and leadership were always a direct result of the LORD's powerful and gracious intervention, not human design or strength. This verse sets the stage for Samuel's subsequent call to repentance and renewed covenant loyalty, firmly rooting Israel's identity in God's past acts of deliverance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** 1 Samuel 12 falls within Samuel's pivotal farewell address to Israel, delivered immediately after Saul's coronation and the confirmation of his kingship at Gilgal, as recorded in [1 Samuel 11:15](/1_samuel/11-15 "1 Samuel 11:15 - Saul's Coronation and Confirmation"). Having faithfully served as judge and prophet, Samuel uses this momentous occasion to vindicate his own integrity before the people, a point he establishes in [1 Samuel 12:1-5](/1_samuel/12-1-5 "1 Samuel 12:1-5 - Samuel's Integrity and Challenge to Israel"). More critically, he confronts them with their profound sin in rejecting God's direct rule by demanding a human king, echoing the divine lament found in [1 Samuel 8:7](/1_samuel/8-7 "1 Samuel 8:7 - Israel Rejects God as King"). Verse 6 initiates a comprehensive historical review, a common prophetic rhetorical device, designed to remind Israel of God's consistent faithfulness throughout their history. This faithfulness sharply contrasts with their own repeated cycles of disobedience and forgetfulness. This historical recounting serves as the irrefutable basis for Samuel's subsequent call to fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully, outlining the consequences of both obedience and disobedience in [1 Samuel 12:14-15](/1_samuel/12-14-15 "1 Samuel 12:14-15 - Consequences of Obedience and Disobedience").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is a watershed moment in Israel's transition from a tribal confederacy led by charismatic judges to a centralized monarchy. The people's demand for a king stemmed from a desire to be "like all the nations," as expressed in [1 Samuel 8:5](/1_samuel/8-5 "1 Samuel 8:5 - Israel Demands a King"), seeking stability and military leadership in the face of persistent Philistine oppression, rather than trusting in Yahweh as their true King and deliverer. This period was characterized by external threats and internal disunity, making the appeal for a human king understandable from a purely human perspective, yet deeply problematic from a theological one. Samuel's speech, delivered at Gilgal, a significant historical and religious site, would have powerfully resonated with the people's collective memory of God's past interventions, particularly the Exodus, which was the foundational event of their national identity and covenant relationship with Yahweh.

* **Key Themes:** The primary themes in this speech, and particularly in [1 Samuel 12:6](/1_samuel/12-6 "1 Samuel 12:6 - God's Past Faithfulness"), revolve around **Divine Sovereignty** and **Covenant Faithfulness**. Samuel emphatically states that it was "the LORD" who acted decisively in establishing Israel, appointing its leaders, and delivering it from bondage, thereby asserting God's ultimate authority over human desires and choices. The explicit mention of Moses and Aaron and the Exodus highlights God's **Initiative in Salvation** and His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises, even when His people are unfaithful. This foundational act of liberation from Egypt, described extensively in [the book of Exodus](/exodus/1 "The Book of Exodus"), serves as the bedrock of Israel's identity and a powerful reminder that their existence and prosperity were always dependent on God's grace, not their own strength or the strength of a human king. Samuel's address aims to reorient the people's focus from their newly acquired human king back to their eternal Divine King.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the covenant name of God, often rendered as "Yahweh," signifying the self-existent, eternal God who is faithful to His promises. In this verse, attributing the actions of "advancing" and "bringing up" to "the LORD" emphasizes that these were not random events or human achievements, but deliberate acts of the sovereign, covenant-keeping God of Israel. It underscores His unique authority and active involvement in their history.
* **advanced (Hebrew, _ʿâśāh'_):** This verb carries a broad semantic range including "to do, make, accomplish, prepare, appoint." In this context, it signifies God's active, intentional, and sovereign agency in bringing Moses and Aaron to prominence and empowering them for their roles. It's not merely that God "promoted" them, but that He *effected* their leadership, making them instruments of His will. This emphasizes divine initiative over human merit or selection, underscoring that their authority was divinely conferred.
* **brought up (Hebrew, _ʿālāh'_):** This verb means "to go up, ascend, bring up." Here, it specifically refers to the act of leading or bringing people out of a lower state or location. In the context of the Exodus, it powerfully conveys God's active role in liberating Israel from the oppression of Egypt, lifting them out of slavery and into freedom. It underscores the divine power and initiative behind the entire Exodus event, which was the defining act of Israel's formation as a nation. This verb highlights God's role as the active agent of their deliverance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Samuel said unto the people":** This introductory phrase establishes the authoritative nature of the declaration that follows. Samuel, as God's prophet and judge, speaks with divine authority, setting the stage for a crucial reminder of God's past actions and their implications for Israel's present and future.
* **"[It is] the LORD that advanced Moses and Aaron":** This declarative statement unequivocally attributes the appointment and empowerment of Israel's foundational leaders, Moses (the lawgiver and primary leader) and Aaron (the high priest and spiritual leader), directly to Yahweh. It emphasizes God's sovereign choice and active involvement in establishing the leadership structure for His people, implicitly contrasting with the people's recent human-driven demand for a king. This highlights that true authority and effective leadership originate from God alone.
* **"and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt":** This clause directly links God's leadership in the Exodus to His ongoing care for Israel. The Exodus was the quintessential act of divine salvation and nation-building, establishing Israel's identity as God's chosen people. By recalling this foundational event, Samuel reminds the people that their very existence as a free nation was solely due to God's miraculous power and faithfulness, not their own strength or the strength of any human leader.

#### Literary Devices
Samuel's speech in 1 Samuel 12 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. Most prominent is **Historical Allusion**, where Samuel invokes the foundational events of the Exodus and the divinely appointed leadership of Moses and Aaron. This allusion serves as a powerful **Argument from History**, reminding the people of God's past faithfulness and mighty deeds as a basis for their present and future obedience. The entire passage functions as a form of **Prophetic Rebuke**, using historical precedent to highlight Israel's current sin of rejecting God's direct rule in favor of a human king. Furthermore, the repeated emphasis on "the LORD" (though not always an exact anaphora in English translation) creates a strong sense of **Divine Agency**, consistently attributing all past and present blessings to God's sovereign hand.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 12:6 profoundly articulates the theological truth of God's sovereign initiative in salvation and leadership. It asserts that Israel's very identity and existence as a nation were not a result of human ingenuity or strength, but solely the product of Yahweh's powerful and gracious intervention. This foundational principle challenges any human tendency to rely on earthly leaders or institutions over divine guidance. It underscores that God is consistently active in history, raising up leaders and delivering His people according to His divine purpose, even when His people are prone to forgetfulness or rebellion. The verse establishes a pattern of divine faithfulness that serves as the backdrop for Samuel's call to renewed covenant loyalty, reminding Israel that their security and prosperity have always been contingent on their relationship with their divine King.

* [Exodus 3:7-10](/exodus/3-7-10 "God Hears and Delivers Moses")
* [Deuteronomy 6:20-25](/deuteronomy/6-20-25 "Remembering the Exodus for Future Generations")
* [Psalm 77:11-15](/psalm/77-11-15 "Recalling God's Mighty Deeds")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Samuel 12:6 calls contemporary believers to a profound remembrance of God's past faithfulness and a reorientation of trust towards His sovereign leadership. In a world that often prioritizes human strength, political solutions, or self-reliance, this verse serves as a powerful corrective, reminding us that our ultimate hope and security rest solely in the LORD who "advances" and "brings forth." Just as Israel was prone to forget God's mighty acts and seek human solutions, so too can we be tempted to trust in our own abilities or the systems of the world rather than in the unfailing power of God. This verse encourages us to cultivate a posture of humility and dependence, recognizing that every true blessing, every deliverance, and every legitimate authority ultimately flows from His hand. It challenges us to look beyond immediate circumstances and remember the consistent character of God, who has always been, and always will be, faithful to His covenant people, providing for their needs and delivering them from bondage.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does remembering God's past acts of faithfulness in your life or in biblical history strengthen your trust in Him today?**
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to rely on human strength, wisdom, or solutions rather than God's sovereign initiative and provision?**
* **How can acknowledging God as the one who "advances" and "brings forth" influence your prayers and your perspective on leadership, both in the church and in the broader society?**

### FAQ
**Why does Samuel recount Israel's history in this speech?**

Answer: Samuel recounts Israel's history, particularly the Exodus and the raising up of leaders like Moses and Aaron, to provide a theological and historical foundation for his rebuke of the people's demand for a king. By reminding them of God's consistent faithfulness and sovereign provision throughout their past, Samuel highlights their present sin of rejecting God's direct rule in favor of a human king, as articulated in [1 Samuel 8:7](/1_samuel/8-7 "1 Samuel 8:7 - Israel Rejects God as King"). The historical review serves to underscore that Israel's identity and security have always depended on Yahweh's actions, not on human leadership or military strength. It's a powerful call to remember their covenant obligations and to return to faithful obedience to the LORD, their true King.

**What is the significance of Moses and Aaron being "advanced" by the LORD?**

Answer: The phrase "[It is] the LORD that advanced Moses and Aaron" emphasizes God's sovereign choice and empowerment of these key figures. It means God actively brought them to prominence and equipped them for their unique roles in leading Israel out of Egypt and establishing the covenant. This highlights that their authority and effectiveness were divinely ordained, not self-appointed or based on human merit. It contrasts sharply with the people's recent self-initiated demand for a king, implying that true, God-blessed leadership originates from God's will, not human desire or popular election.

**How does the Exodus relate to Israel's identity in this context?**

Answer: The Exodus from Egypt was the foundational event that forged Israel's identity as a nation chosen by God and delivered by His mighty hand. It was the ultimate demonstration of God's power, faithfulness, and covenant love. By reminding the people that God "brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt," Samuel anchors their current situation in this defining act of salvation. It underscores that their very existence as a free people was a miraculous act of God, and therefore, their loyalty and trust should remain solely with Him, not with a newly appointed human king. The Exodus is the ultimate proof of God's ability to save and lead His people, a truth that should have precluded their desire for an earthly monarch.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Samuel 12:6, with its emphasis on God's sovereign initiative in raising up leaders and delivering His people, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate divine "advancement" and "bringing up" in Jesus Christ. Just as the LORD appointed Moses and Aaron to lead Israel out of physical bondage, God the Father appointed His Son, Jesus, as the supreme deliverer and King. Jesus is the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), accomplishing a spiritual Exodus from the bondage of sin and death that no human leader, king, or even Moses himself could achieve. He is the [prophet like Moses](/deuteronomy/18-18 "Deuteronomy 18:18 - A Prophet Like Moses") whom God promised, the one who mediates a new and better covenant, as described in [Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - A Better Covenant"). Furthermore, Jesus is the ultimate High Priest, fulfilling and surpassing the Aaronic priesthood, offering Himself as the perfect and final sacrifice, as detailed in [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11-14 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice"). The divine initiative seen in [1 Samuel 12:6](/1_samuel/12-6 "1 Samuel 12:6 - God's Past Faithfulness") culminates in God's sending of His Son into the world, as stated in [John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love for the World"), demonstrating His unwavering commitment to redeem humanity not through human kings or earthly power, but through His own perfect, self-sacrificial love. He is the ultimate leader, the one who truly "advances" His people from darkness to light, from death to eternal life, a truth beautifully articulated in [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness").

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

Micah 6:4

For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.

Exodus 6:26

These [are] that Aaron and Moses, to whom the LORD said, Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies.

Psalms 99:6

¶ Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.

Psalms 77:19

Thy way [is] in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.

Psalms 77:20

Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Psalms 105:41

He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places [like] a river.

Isaiah 63:7

¶ I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, [and] the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.