Bible Commentaries
Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible
1 Samuel 12
1 Samuel 12. Samuel's Farewell.—From the Deuteronomic document, where it separated the two clauses of 1 Samuel 10:25, which see.
1 Samuel 12:1-6 a (to "witness"). In response to a solemn adjuration from Samuel, the people agree that his administration has been pure.
1 Samuel 12:3. to blind mine eyes therewith: LXX "even a pair of shoes? Answer against me, and I will, etc." (mg.).
1 Samuel 12:6 a - 1 Samuel 12:11. Samuel briefly reviews the history of Israel, showing the gracious dealings of Yahweh with His people and their ingratitude. The author forgot that he was composing a speech for Samuel, and mentions him in the third person, as one of the deliverers of Israel.
1 Samuel 12:8. made them: read with LXX, "He (Yahweh) made."
1 Samuel 12:11. Bedan: read "Barak," with LXX.
1 Samuel 12:12-25. Samuel reproaches the people for their disloyalty to Yahweh in asking for a king; in the future obedience will be rewarded, and disobedience punished. At Samuel's prayer, a miraculous thunderstorm (cf. 1 Samuel 7:10), at a time ("wheat-harvest," May-June) when thunder was unusual, confirms his words. The terror-stricken people beg for Samuel's intercession. He reassures them, and promises to pray for them and guide them.
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