Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The people all said to Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die, for we have added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king.” New Living Translation “Pray to the LORD your God for us, or we will die!” they all said to Samuel. “For now we have added to our sins by asking for a king.” English Standard Version And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.” Berean Standard Bible They pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of asking for a king.” Berean Literal Bible And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to YHWH your God, that we may not die. For we have added to all our sins the evil of asking for ourselves a king.” King James Bible And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king. New King James Version And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we may not die; for we have added to all our sins the evil of asking a king for ourselves.” New American Standard Bible Then all the people said to Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants, so that we do not die; for we have added to all our sins this evil, by asking for ourselves a king.” NASB 1995 Then all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, so that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil by asking for ourselves a king.” NASB 1977 Then all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, so that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil by asking for ourselves a king.” Legacy Standard Bible Then all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to Yahweh your God, so that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil by asking for ourselves a king.” Amplified Bible Then all the people said to Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants, so that we will not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil—to ask for a king for ourselves.” Berean Annotated Bible They pleaded with Samuel (his name is El), “Pray to the LORD your God {YHWH Eloheka} for your servants so that we will not die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of asking for a king.” Christian Standard Bible They pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so we won’t die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of requesting a king for ourselves.” Holman Christian Standard Bible They pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants, so we won’t die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of requesting a king for ourselves.” American Standard Version And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto Jehovah thy God, that we die not; for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king. Contemporary English Version They told Samuel, "Please, pray to the LORD your God for us! We don't want to die. We have sinned many times in the past, and we were very wrong to ask for a king." English Revised Version And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king. GOD'S WORD® Translation All the people pleaded with Samuel, "Pray to the LORD your God for us so that we will not die. We have added [another] evil thing to all our other sins by asking for a king." Good News Translation and they said to Samuel, "Please, sir, pray to the LORD your God for us, so that we won't die. We now realize that, besides all our other sins, we have sinned by asking for a king." International Standard Version Then all the people told Samuel, "Pray to the LORD your God for your servants, so that we don't die, because we made all our sins worse by asking for a king for ourselves." NET Bible All the people said to Samuel, "Pray to the LORD your God on behalf of us--your servants--so we won't die, for we have added to all our sins by asking for a king." New Heart English Bible All the people said to Samuel, "Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we not die; for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask us a king." Webster's Bible Translation And all the people said to Samuel, Pray for thy servants to the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask us a king. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThey pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of asking for a king.” World English Bible All the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to Yahweh your God, that we not die; for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for a king.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand all the people say to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to your God YHWH, and we do not die, for we have added evil to all our sins to ask [for] a king for ourselves.” Berean Literal Bible And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to YHWH your God, that we may not die. For we have added to all our sins the evil of asking for ourselves a king.” Young's Literal Translation and all the people say unto Samuel, 'Pray for thy servants unto Jehovah thy God, and we do not die, for we have added to all our sins evil to ask for us a king.' Smith's Literal Translation And all the people will say to Samuel, Pray for thy servants to Jehovah thy God, and we shall not die; for we added upon all our sins the wickedness to ask for us a king. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel. And all the people said to Samuel: Pray for thy servants to the Lord thy God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for a king. Catholic Public Domain Version And all the people feared the Lord and Samuel exceedingly. And all the people said to Samuel: “Pray, on behalf of your servants, to the Lord your God, so that we may not die. For we have added to all our sins this evil, that we would petition for a king.” New American Bible They said to Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for us, your servants, that we may not die for having added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king.” New Revised Standard Version All the people said to Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants, so that we may not die; for we have added to all our sins the evil of demanding a king for ourselves.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd all the people said to Samuel. Pray for your servants before the LORD your God, that we may not die; for we have added to all our sins a great evil, in that we have asked for ourselves a king. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And all the people said to Shemueil: “Pray for your Servants before LORD JEHOVAH your God, and we will not die, because we have added to all our sins a great evil, that we ask for ourselves a King!” OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And all the people said unto Samuel: 'Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not; for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And all the people said to Samuel, Pray for thy servants to the Lord thy God, and let us not die; for we have added to all our sins this iniquity, in asking for us a king. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Samuel's Farewell Address…18So Samuel called to the LORD, and on that day the LORD sent thunder and rain. As a result, all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel. 19They pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of asking for a king.” 20“Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “Even though you have committed all this evil, do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.… Cross References They pleaded with Samuel, Exodus 8:8 Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Pray to the LORD to take the frogs away from me and my people. Then I will let your people go, that they may sacrifice to the LORD.” Exodus 10:17 Now please forgive my sin once more and appeal to the LORD your God, that He may remove this death from me.” “Pray to the LORD your God 1 Samuel 7:8 and said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” Jeremiah 42:2 Jeremiah the prophet and said, “May our petition come before you; pray to the LORD your God on behalf of this entire remnant. For few of us remain of the many, as you can see with your own eyes. for your servants Nehemiah 1:6 let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to hear the prayer that I, Your servant, now pray before You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against You. Both I and my father’s house have sinned. Nehemiah 1:11 O Lord, may Your ear be attentive to my prayer and to the prayers of Your servants who delight to revere Your name. Give Your servant success this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” (At that time I was the cupbearer to the king.) so that we will not die! Exodus 20:19 “Speak to us yourself and we will listen,” they said to Moses. “But do not let God speak to us, or we will die.” Deuteronomy 18:16 This is what you asked of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, “Let us not hear the voice of the LORD our God or see this great fire anymore, so that we will not die!” Judges 13:22 “We are going to die,” he said to his wife, “for we have seen God!” For we have added to all our sins Ezra 9:6 and said: “O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, because our iniquities are higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached the heavens. Nehemiah 9:33 You are just in all that has befallen us, because You have acted faithfully, while we have acted wickedly. Hosea 13:2 Now they sin more and more and make for themselves cast images, idols skillfully made from their silver, all of them the work of craftsmen. People say of them, “They offer human sacrifice and kiss the calves!” the evil of asking for a king.” 1 Samuel 10:19 But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your troubles and afflictions, and you have said to Him, ‘No, set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and clans.” Hosea 8:4 They set up kings, but not by Me. They make princes, but without My approval. With their silver and gold they make themselves idols, to their own destruction. Hosea 13:10-11 Where is your king now to save you in all your cities, and the rulers to whom you said, “Give me a king and princes”? / So in My anger I gave you a king, and in My wrath I took him away. 2 Chronicles 7:14 and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. Treasury of Scripture And all the people said to Samuel, Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we die not: for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask us a king. Pray for thy servants 1 Samuel 7:5,8 And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD… Genesis 20:7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine. Exodus 9:28 Intreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer. Jump to Previous Added Addition Death Desiring Die Evil Overtake Prayer Samuel Servants Sins WickednessJump to Next Added Addition Death Desiring Die Evil Overtake Prayer Samuel Servants Sins Wickedness1 Samuel 12 1. Samuel testifies his integrity6. He reproves the people of ingratitude 16. He terrifies them with thunder in harvest time 20. he comforts them in God's mercy They pleaded with Samuel The Israelites recognized Samuel as a prophet and judge, a mediator between them and God. This reflects the biblical pattern of seeking intercession from God's appointed leaders, similar to Moses interceding for Israel in Exodus 32:11-14. Samuel's role as a judge and prophet is crucial, as he represents God's voice to the people during this transitional period from judges to monarchy. Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of asking for a king. Persons / Places / Events 1. SamuelThe last judge of Israel, a prophet, and a pivotal figure in the transition from the period of judges to the monarchy. He is known for his faithfulness to God and his role in anointing the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David. 2. The Israelites The people of God who, despite witnessing God's faithfulness, demanded a king to lead them like other nations, demonstrating a lack of trust in God's sovereignty. 3. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant God of Israel, who had been their king and protector. The Israelites' request for a human king was seen as a rejection of His kingship. 4. The Request for a King This event marks a significant turning point in Israel's history, where the people demanded a king to lead them, which was contrary to God's original plan for them to be a theocracy. 5. The Sin of Asking for a King The Israelites recognized their request for a king as a sin, acknowledging that it was an act of rebellion against God's rule. Teaching Points Recognizing Sin and RepentanceThe Israelites' acknowledgment of their sin in asking for a king is a reminder of the importance of recognizing our own sins and turning back to God in repentance. The Role of Intercessory Prayer Samuel's role as an intercessor highlights the power and importance of praying for others, especially when they are in need of God's mercy and guidance. Trusting in God's Sovereignty The Israelites' desire for a king reflects a lack of trust in God's sovereignty. We are called to trust in God's plan and timing, even when it differs from our own desires. Consequences of Rejecting God The request for a king serves as a warning about the consequences of rejecting God's leadership in favor of human solutions. God's Faithfulness Despite Human Failure Despite the Israelites' rebellion, God remained faithful to His covenant, showing His grace and mercy even when His people fail. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 12:19?2. How does 1 Samuel 12:19 highlight the importance of intercessory prayer? 3. What does Israel's request for a king reveal about their trust in God? 4. How can we apply Samuel's role as intercessor in our prayer life? 5. What scriptural connections exist between 1 Samuel 12:19 and James 5:16? 6. How does acknowledging sin, as in 1 Samuel 12:19, lead to repentance? 7. Why did the Israelites ask for a king despite God's warnings in 1 Samuel 12:19? 8. How does 1 Samuel 12:19 reflect on human nature's tendency to reject divine authority? 9. What does 1 Samuel 12:19 reveal about the consequences of disobedience to God? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 12? 11. How could the people’s immediate repentance in 1 Samuel 12:19 be verified historically or culturally? 12. In 2 Samuel 12:13, David's quick confession leads to forgiveness, but is the swift absolution realistic given the gravity of adultery and murder? 13. In 2 Chronicles 2:11-12, why does Tyrian King Hiram express devotion to Israel's God when no independent Tyrian records verify such reverence? 14. Why does Solomon's prayer in 1 Kings 8:33-34 promise national restoration to Israel if they repent, when other biblical passages suggest God's judgment can remain despite repentance? What Does 1 Samuel 12:19 Mean They pleaded with Samuel• The people have just seen the LORD send thunder and rain in response to Samuel’s word (1 Samuel 12:17-18), a supernatural sign that pierced their consciences. • Like their forefathers who ran to Moses after plagues (Exodus 10:16-17) and cried to him at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:10-12), they now hurry to the prophet who represents God to them. • Their plea shows they believe Samuel’s prayers carry weight, echoing earlier appeals: “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us” (1 Samuel 7:8). • It models the truth later stated in James 5:16: “The prayer of a righteous man has great power.” Pray to the LORD your God • By saying “your God,” they expose the relational gap their sin has opened; they fear approaching the Holy One themselves (Exodus 20:18-19). • Scripture consistently points to the need for a mediator—Moses, Samuel, and supremely “the one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). • Samuel’s willingness to intercede prefigures Christ, who “always lives to intercede” (Hebrews 7:25), reminding us that God’s ears are open because of a faithful advocate. for your servants • Calling themselves “servants” signals humility after earlier defiance (1 Samuel 8:19-20). • Genuine repentance bows low: “Humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand” (1 Peter 5:6). • Their new posture contrasts with the king they demanded who would make them servants (1 Samuel 8:11-17); now they acknowledge they already belong to the LORD. so that we will not die! • Thunder at harvest time was life-threatening; crops could be ruined, and lightning could kill. • More deeply, they sense divine wrath: “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31). • Death is the just outcome of sin (Romans 6:23), and the people know it. Like Israel after Korah’s rebellion—“Surely we are perishing!” (Numbers 17:12-13)—they beg for mercy. For we have added to all our sins • They finally tally the running debt of disobedience: idolatry, unbelief, grumbling, and now this. • Confession is vital: “I acknowledged my sin to You… and You forgave” (Psalm 32:5). • The phrase “added to” warns that sin snowballs when unchecked (Isaiah 30:1). • Yet God’s willingness to forgive repeatedly is showcased throughout Scripture—“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive” (1 John 1:9). the evil of asking for a king • Their request was not merely political; it was spiritual rejection: “They have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me as their king” (1 Samuel 8:7). • Hosea later recalls this moment: “You said, ‘Give me a king’—So I gave you a king in My anger” (Hosea 13:10-11). • Wanting to be “like all the nations” (1 Samuel 8:5) denied Israel’s calling as a holy people (Deuteronomy 14:2). • Even so, God would weave redemption through the monarchy, ultimately sending the true King, Jesus, who fulfills every righteous expectation (Luke 1:32-33). summary Israel’s sudden storm-shaken fear drives them to Samuel, pleading for intercession. Their words reveal distance from God, fresh humility, terror of deserved judgment, honest confession of accumulated sin, and acknowledgment that demanding a human king was rebellion. The passage underscores our need for a mediator, the urgency of repentance, and the mercy of a God who listens when His servant prays. Verse 19. - Pray for thy servants. On Samuel's mediatorial office see 1 Samuel 7:5, 8.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Theyכָל־ (ḵāl) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every pleaded וַיֹּאמְר֨וּ (way·yō·mə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 559: To utter, say with אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Samuel, שְׁמוּאֵ֗ל (šə·mū·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 8050: Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israel “Pray הִתְפַּלֵּ֧ל (hiṯ·pal·lêl) Verb - Hitpael - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 6419: To judge, to intercede, pray to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the LORD יְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel your God אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative for בְּעַד־ (bə·‘aḏ-) Preposition Strong's 1157: In up to, over against, at, beside, among, behind, for your servants, עֲבָדֶ֛יךָ (‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 5650: Slave, servant so we will not וְאַל־ (wə·’al-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 408: Not die! נָמ֑וּת (nā·mūṯ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common plural Strong's 4191: To die, to kill For כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction we have added יָסַ֤פְנוּ (yā·sap̄·nū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural Strong's 3254: To add, augment to עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against all כָּל־ (kāl-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every our sins חַטֹּאתֵ֙ינוּ֙ (ḥaṭ·ṭō·ṯê·nū) Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common plural Strong's 2403: An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender the evil רָעָ֔ה (rā·‘āh) Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 7451: Bad, evil of asking לִשְׁאֹ֥ל (liš·’ōl) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand for לָ֖נוּ (lā·nū) Preposition | first person common plural Strong's Hebrew a king.” מֶֽלֶךְ׃ (me·leḵ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king Links 1 Samuel 12:19 NIV1 Samuel 12:19 NLT 1 Samuel 12:19 ESV 1 Samuel 12:19 NASB 1 Samuel 12:19 KJV 1 Samuel 12:19 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 12:19 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 12:19 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 12:19 French Bible 1 Samuel 12:19 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 12:19 All the people said to Samuel Pray (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
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