1 Samuel 12:9

KJV

And 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And when they forgat {H7911} the LORD {H3068} their God {H430}, he sold {H4376} them into the hand {H3027} of Sisera {H5516}, captain {H8269} of the host {H6635} of Hazor {H2674}, and into the hand {H3027} of the Philistines {H6430}, and into the hand {H3027} of the king {H4428} of Moab {H4124}, and they fought {H3898} against them.

Complete Jewish Bible

But they forgot ADONAI their God; so he handed them over to Sisra, commander of the army of Hatzor, and to the P'lishtim, and to the king of Mo'av; and they fought against them.

Berean Standard Bible

But they forgot the LORD their God, and He sold them into the hand of Sisera the commander of the army of Hazor, and into the hands of the Philistines and the king of Moab, who fought against them.

American Standard Version

But they forgat Jehovah their God; and 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 12:9 stands as a pivotal historical reminder within Samuel's farewell address, highlighting Israel's recurring pattern of spiritual amnesia and disobedience. The verse recounts how, upon forgetting the LORD their God, Israel was divinely subjected to the oppressive rule of various enemies—Sisera, the Philistines, and the king of Moab—a consequence that underscored God's sovereign discipline and the direct link between their covenant infidelity and subsequent suffering.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded in Samuel's powerful valedictory address to the nation of Israel in [1 Samuel 12](/1-samuel/12 "1 Samuel 12 - Samuel's Farewell Address"). Having served as prophet and judge, Samuel is now formally relinquishing his leadership as Israel transitions to a monarchy under King Saul. His speech serves multiple purposes: to vindicate his own integrity before the people, to remind them of God's consistent faithfulness throughout their history, and to sternly warn them about the dangers of rejecting God's direct rule in favor of a human king. Samuel systematically reviews Israel's past, from the Exodus to their current demand for a king, emphasizing how their prosperity was tied to obedience and their suffering to spiritual forgetfulness and idolatry. Verse 9 is a specific example within this historical recounting, illustrating the tragic cycle of sin, oppression, and deliverance that characterized the period of the Judges.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for 1 Samuel 12:9 is the tumultuous period of the Judges, a time marked by a lack of centralized leadership and a recurring cycle of apostasy, divine judgment, repentance, and deliverance. The phrase "when they forgat the LORD their God" is not a mere lapse of memory but signifies a profound spiritual turning away from the covenant, often involving the adoption of Canaanite religious practices and the worship of foreign deities. This spiritual infidelity led to a breakdown of their relationship with God and a forfeiture of His protection. Consequently, God "sold them" (a powerful metaphor for divine judgment and allowing their enemies to prevail) into the hands of oppressors. Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, represents the Canaanite oppression described in [Judges 4-5](/judges/4 "Judges 4-5 - Deborah and Barak Defeat Sisera"). The Philistines were a formidable, technologically advanced coastal people who posed a persistent threat to Israel, particularly in the later Judges period and early monarchy, as seen in [Judges 13-16](/judges/13 "Judges 13-16 - Samson and the Philistines") and [1 Samuel 4-7](/1-samuel/4 "1 Samuel 4-7 - The Ark Captured by the Philistines"). The king of Moab refers to Eglon, who oppressed Israel for eighteen years, as detailed in [Judges 3](/judges/3 "Judges 3 - Ehud and the Moabite Oppression"). These specific examples serve as concrete evidence of God's consistent response to Israel's unfaithfulness.
* **Key Themes:** The verse encapsulates several profound theological and narrative themes central to the Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights **The Consequences of Forgetting God**, where "forgetting" is understood as a willful turning away from God's commands, covenant, and presence, leading directly to suffering and oppression. Secondly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Discipline and Sovereignty**, showing God's active role in allowing Israel's subjugation, not as abandonment, but as a just and redemptive measure to bring them back to repentance. This underscores God's ultimate control even over hostile nations. Thirdly, the verse is a concise summary of the **Cycles of Disobedience and Deliverance** so prominent in the book of Judges: Israel sins, God allows oppression, Israel cries out, God sends a deliverer. Samuel uses this historical pattern as a potent warning against their current demand for a king, which he perceives as a rejection of God's own kingship, as stated in [1 Samuel 8:7](/1-samuel/8-7 "1 Samuel 8:7 - Israel's Rejection of God"). Finally, despite Israel's repeated failings, the broader context of Samuel's speech and the book of Judges itself consistently demonstrate **God's Enduring Covenant Faithfulness** and mercy, as He repeatedly provided deliverance when they repented.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Forgat (Hebrew, _shakhakh'_):** The Hebrew verb שָׁכַח (_shakhakh_), translated as "forgat," carries a much deeper meaning than a simple lapse of memory. It implies a deliberate act of neglect, disregard, or abandonment of a relationship or obligation. In this context, it signifies Israel's active turning away from their covenant with the LORD, ignoring His commands, forgetting His mighty acts of deliverance, and embracing foreign gods and practices. This "forgetting" is a willful spiritual amnesia that results in covenant infidelity.
* **Sold them (Hebrew, _makar'_):** The verb מָכַר (_makar_), "sold," is a strong, active verb often used in the context of commercial transactions, particularly selling into slavery or servitude as a consequence of debt or transgression. Here, it is a powerful theological metaphor. It does not imply that God literally received payment for Israel, but that He actively and intentionally delivered them over into the power of their enemies as a just consequence for their spiritual rebellion. It highlights God's sovereign judgment and discipline, emphasizing that their oppression was not random misfortune but a divinely ordained consequence.
* **Hand of (Hebrew, _yad'_):** The Hebrew noun יָד (_yad_), "hand," is a common idiom signifying power, control, authority, or possession. To be "sold into the hand of" an enemy means to be delivered into their complete power and subjugation. It vividly portrays the loss of freedom, autonomy, and security that resulted from Israel's covenant breaking, signifying their vulnerability and the oppressors' dominance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when they forgat the LORD their God":** This clause identifies the root cause of Israel's suffering: a profound spiritual failure. Their "forgetting" was not a passive oversight but an active turning away from their covenant relationship, characterized by idolatry, disobedience to God's law, and a disregard for His past acts of salvation. This spiritual amnesia broke the protective bond of the covenant.
* **"he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor":** This specifies the first instance of divine judgment and oppression. God actively allowed Sisera, the formidable commander of Jabin's army, to subjugate Israel, particularly in the northern regions. This period of oppression, detailed in [Judges 4](/judges/4 "Judges 4 - Deborah and Barak"), was a direct consequence of their unfaithfulness, leading to their crying out to God for deliverance.
* **"and into the hand of the Philistines":** Following Sisera, the Philistines are named as another instrument of divine discipline. This refers to multiple periods of Philistine dominance, particularly severe in the later Judges period and leading up to the monarchy (e.g., [Judges 13-16](/judges/13 "Judges 13-16 - Samson") and [1 Samuel 4-7](/1-samuel/4 "1 Samuel 4-7 - The Ark of the Covenant Captured")). Their advanced iron technology and military organization made them a persistent and powerful foe, whose oppression was a direct result of Israel's spiritual decline.
* **"and into the hand of the king of Moab":** The third specific oppressor mentioned is the king of Moab, referring to Eglon, who oppressed Israel for eighteen years. This account, found in [Judges 3](/judges/3 "Judges 3 - Ehud and Eglon"), highlights another instance where God used a foreign power to discipline His people when they "did evil in the sight of the LORD."
* **"and they fought against them":** This concluding phrase underscores the tangible and violent reality of the oppression. The enemies were not merely present but actively engaged in military conflict, subjugation, and exploitation of Israel, demonstrating the severe and immediate consequences of their spiritual forgetfulness.

#### Literary Devices
1 Samuel 12:9 effectively employs several **Literary Devices** to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Anaphora**, the repetition of the phrase "into the hand of," which occurs three times. This repetition emphasizes the consistent pattern of Israel being delivered over to successive oppressors as a direct consequence of their actions. It creates a rhythmic, almost relentless sense of divine judgment and the inevitability of suffering when the covenant is broken. The phrase "he sold them" functions as a potent **Metaphor**, vividly portraying God's active role in allowing their subjugation, likening it to a commercial transaction where Israel's spiritual debt leads to their being "sold" into servitude. This metaphor underscores God's sovereignty and justice. The verse also relies heavily on **Historical Allusion**, referencing specific, well-known periods of oppression from the book of Judges. By naming Sisera, the Philistines, and the king of Moab, Samuel evokes a shared national memory of suffering and divine deliverance, making his warning more immediate and impactful. This serves as a **Rhetorical Device** to persuade the people of the gravity of their current decision to demand a king, reminding them of the historical consequences of rejecting God's ways.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 12:9 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of God's covenant with Israel and the consequences of human unfaithfulness. It powerfully illustrates that God is not a passive observer but an active participant in history, sovereignly orchestrating events, even allowing the oppression of His people, to achieve His redemptive purposes. This "selling" into the hands of enemies is a form of divine discipline, not abandonment, designed to bring Israel to repentance and back into right relationship with Him. The verse underscores the critical importance of "remembering" God—not just intellectually, but in active obedience and devotion—and highlights the tragic cycle of sin, judgment, and eventual deliverance that permeates Israel's story. It is a stark reminder that spiritual forgetfulness inevitably leads to vulnerability and suffering, yet God's ultimate aim is always restoration for His covenant people.

* [Deuteronomy 8:11-14](/deuteronomy/8-11 "Deuteronomy 8:11-14 - Warning Against Forgetting God's Commands")
* [Judges 2:11-15](/judges/2-11 "Judges 2:11-15 - The Cycle of Israel's Apostasy and Oppression")
* [Psalm 78:10-11](/psalms/78-10 "Psalm 78:10-11 - Israel Forgot God's Covenant and Works")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The historical account in 1 Samuel 12:9 offers timeless lessons for believers today. Just as Israel's "forgetting" of the LORD their God led to severe consequences, so too can spiritual amnesia lead to difficulties in our lives and communities. This "forgetting" is rarely an intentional rejection but often a gradual drifting away from God's truth, His commands, and the memory of His past faithfulness. It can manifest as complacency, prioritizing worldly pursuits over spiritual disciplines, or neglecting our covenant responsibilities. While we may not experience literal "selling into the hand of Sisera," the principle remains: turning away from God's wisdom and guidance can lead to natural and spiritual consequences, leaving us vulnerable to various forms of oppression—be it spiritual bondage, relational brokenness, or a loss of peace. This verse calls us to vigilant spiritual memory, actively recalling God's character, His Word, and His interventions in our lives. It reminds us that God's discipline, though painful, is always redemptive, aiming to draw us back to Him. Our response to difficulty should be repentance and a renewed commitment to remembering and obeying the LORD our God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your life or community might you be "forgetting the LORD your God," leading to unintended consequences?**
* **How does understanding God's disciplinary actions in Israel's history shape your perspective on the challenges or difficulties you currently face?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a deeper spiritual memory, ensuring you actively remember God's faithfulness and commands daily?**
* **Considering the cyclical nature of Israel's history, how can we proactively break cycles of spiritual complacency in our own lives and churches?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that God "sold them" into the hand of their enemies?**

Answer: The phrase "he sold them" (Hebrew: _makar_) is a powerful theological metaphor, not a literal commercial transaction. It signifies God's active, sovereign judgment and discipline. When Israel "forgat the LORD their God" by breaking their covenant through idolatry and disobedience, God, in His justice, withdrew His protective hand and allowed their enemies to prevail over them. This was not an act of abandonment, but a deliberate handing over of His people into the power of oppressors (like Sisera, the Philistines, or the Moabites) as a consequence of their sin. The purpose was redemptive: to humble them, to show them the futility of relying on other gods or their own strength, and to drive them back to repentance and reliance on Him. This concept is echoed elsewhere in Scripture, such as in [Deuteronomy 32:30](/deuteronomy/32-30 "Deuteronomy 32:30 - God Sells His People into the Hands of Enemies"), where Moses sings of God selling His people because of their provocations.

**How does this verse relate to God's love and mercy?**

Answer: While 1 Samuel 12:9 highlights God's judgment and discipline, it paradoxically underscores His enduring love and mercy. God's discipline, though painful, is an expression of His covenant love, much like a loving parent disciplines a child. It's not punitive for its own sake, but corrective and redemptive, designed to bring His people back to Himself. The very fact that God continued to engage with Israel, even through judgment, demonstrates His commitment to His covenant. Had He truly abandoned them, there would be no "selling" or "handing over"—simply silence. The cycle of the Judges, which this verse summarizes, always ends with Israel crying out and God, in His mercy, sending a deliverer. This pattern affirms that God's ultimate desire is restoration and reconciliation, not destruction. This concept is beautifully articulated in the New Testament, where [Hebrews 12:6](/hebrews/12-6 "Hebrews 12:6 - The Lord Disciplines Those He Loves") states, "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Samuel 12:9, with its stark portrayal of Israel's spiritual amnesia and the resulting divine discipline, powerfully points to the ultimate need for Christ. Israel's recurring failure to "remember the LORD their God" and their subsequent "selling" into the hands of oppressors reveals the inherent brokenness of humanity under the Old Covenant. This cycle of sin, judgment, and temporary deliverance underscores that external deliverers (like the Judges) were insufficient to fundamentally transform the human heart or break the pervasive power of sin. The ultimate solution was not merely a new king or a stronger military, but a radical spiritual renewal. Jesus Christ is the true and perfect King who never forgets the Father's will and perfectly obeys Him, fulfilling the righteous requirements of the law that Israel continually failed to uphold ([Romans 8:3-4](/romans/8-3 "Romans 8:3-4 - Christ Fulfills the Law")). He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), delivering humanity not just from external oppressors, but from the ultimate "hand" of sin, death, and the devil. Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ inaugurates a New Covenant, where God's law is written not on tablets of stone, but on the hearts of His people by the Holy Spirit ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant Promise"); [Hebrews 8:8-12](/hebrews/8-8 "Hebrews 8:8-12 - The New Covenant")). This new reality empowers believers to truly "remember the LORD their God" through a transformed nature, breaking the ancient cycle of forgetfulness and judgment, and securing an eternal deliverance.

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

Judges 10:7

And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon.

Judges 3:12

¶ And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD.

Judges 4:2

And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host [was] Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.

Judges 13:1

¶ And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.

Deuteronomy 32:18

Of the Rock [that] begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.

Judges 3:7

And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves.

Judges 3:8

¶ Therefore the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Chushanrishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children of Israel served Chushanrishathaim eight years.