1Sa 12:1-17 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Sam 12:1-25: 12:1-25 The reaffirmation of Saul’s kingship at Gilgal (11:12-15 ) was the final step in his installation as king. The event was a fitting occasion for Samuel’s farewell address as leader of Israel.

Summary for 1Sam 12:1-25: 12:1-25 ^a The reaffirmation of Saul’s kingship at Gilgal (11:12-15 ^b) was the final step in his installation as king. The event was a fitting occasion for Samuel’s farewell address as leader of Israel.
12:3 ^c God’s anointed one was Saul (see 9:16 ^d).

• Whose ox or donkey: Cp. Num 16:15 ^e.

• have I stolen? In contrast to the behavior of kings (1 Sam 8:11-16 ^f).

• Have I ever taken a bribe and perverted justice? No, but Samuel’s sons did (8:3 ^g).
12:5 ^h my hands are clean: Samuel’s life and leadership before Israel had been above reproach (cp. 1 Cor 9:1-14 ⁱ; 2 Cor 7:2 ^j; 11:7-9 ^k; 1 Thes 2:1-12 ^l). Saul, David, and Solomon—kings rather than prophetic judges—would not be able to make this claim.
Summary for 1Sam 12:6-25: 12:6-25 ^m In 12:1-5 ⁿ, Samuel put himself on trial and was found innocent. In 12:6-25 ^o, he put the nation on trial and found it guilty. 12:6 ^p Moses and Aaron were not self-made leaders but were appointed by God as leaders.
12:9 ^q handed them over: See Judg 3:8 ^r; 4:1-3 ^s.

• the king of Moab: See Judg 3:12 ^t. Not all of Israel’s enemies in the era of the judges are listed (e.g., the Ammonites and Midianites). This list is representative to emphasize the highs and lows of that era.
12:10 ^u Then they cried to the Lord: Sometimes only suffering turns people’s hearts toward God. During the period of the judges, Israel repeatedly went through cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and rescue.

• Baal and Ashtoreth: When people turn away from God, they inevitably turn to idols (see 7:3 ^v; Judg 2:13 ^w; 10:6 ^x).

• An attitude such as if you will rescue us turns worship into a debased bargain, in which God must perform some action to a person’s liking. God deserves obedience and worship because he is God, not because of favors he can perform.
12:11 ^y As in 12:9 ^z, this list of leaders is representative.

• Bedan: Greek and Syriac versions read Barak (see Judg 4:6-24 ^aa; 5:1 ^ab, 12 ^ac, 15 ^ad). The identity of this judge remains uncertain.
12:12 ^ae you were afraid of Nahash: Israel’s trouble with Nahash apparently preceded 11:1-11 ^af (cp. 8:5 ^ag, 20 ^ah; 10:27 ^ai).
12:13 ^aj Even though the Israelites’ request amounted to a rejection of God as king, the Lord ... granted it (see study notes on 8:7 and 8:8).
Summary for 1Sam 12:14-15: 12:14-15 ^ak To show that even under a monarchy Israel must still keep its covenant with the Lord—who was always to be their true king—Samuel echoed language from the Sinai covenant (e.g., Exod 19:5-6 ^al; Lev 26 ^am; Deut 30:11-20 ^an). 12:14 ^ao Worship is meaningless if it does not result in obedience.
12:17 ^ap The wheat harvest occurred in late spring or early summer, when little or no rain fell in Israel. Thunder and rain would thus demonstrate God’s power as a sign of the people’s wickedness in asking for a king.