Now present yourselves, so that I may confront you before the LORD with all the righteous acts He has done for you and your fathers. Now present yourselvesThis phrase is a call to attention and readiness. In the Hebrew context, the word for "present" (הִתְיַצְּבוּ, hityatzvu) implies standing firm or taking a position. Samuel is urging the Israelites to stand before God with a sense of solemnity and accountability. This is reminiscent of a courtroom setting where one must be prepared to hear and respond to charges or declarations. It is a moment of introspection and readiness to receive divine truth. that I may plead with you
The Hebrew word for "plead" (וְאָכִיחָה, ve'ochiḥah) can also mean to reason or argue a case. Samuel is acting as a mediator between God and the people, presenting a case for God's faithfulness and the people's need for repentance. This reflects the prophetic role of intercession and advocacy, where the prophet stands in the gap to bring about reconciliation and understanding. before the LORD
This phrase underscores the divine authority and presence in the proceedings. The Hebrew term for "LORD" (יְהוָה, Yahweh) is the covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. The Israelites are reminded that their actions and decisions are ultimately accountable to God, who is both their judge and redeemer. concerning all the righteous acts
The term "righteous acts" (צִדְקוֹת, tzidkot) refers to God's just and faithful deeds. In the Hebrew tradition, righteousness is closely linked to covenant faithfulness. Samuel is highlighting God's consistent and just actions towards Israel, which serve as a foundation for their trust and obedience. This is a call to remember and reflect on God's unwavering commitment to His people. He has done for you and your fathers
This phrase connects the present generation with their ancestors, emphasizing the continuity of God's faithfulness throughout history. The Hebrew word for "fathers" (אֲבוֹתֵיכֶם, avoteichem) not only refers to immediate ancestors but also to the patriarchs and the collective history of Israel. It is a reminder of the enduring legacy of God's promises and the importance of remembering His past deliverances as a source of hope and encouragement for the future. Persons / Places / Events 1. SamuelThe last judge of Israel, a prophet, and a leader who anointed the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David. In this chapter, he is addressing the Israelites. 2. IsraelitesThe people of Israel, who have demanded a king to rule over them, rejecting God as their direct ruler. 3. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who has performed many righteous acts for the Israelites and their ancestors. 4. Righteous ActsRefers to the deeds and interventions by God on behalf of Israel, demonstrating His faithfulness and justice. 5. Fathers/AncestorsThe forefathers of the Israelites, including figures like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and those who experienced the Exodus. Teaching Points Remembering God's FaithfulnessReflect on the ways God has been faithful in your life and the lives of those before you. This remembrance strengthens faith and trust in God's continued provision. Accountability Before GodJust as Samuel called the Israelites to account, we too must regularly examine our lives before God, acknowledging His works and our response to them. The Importance of History in FaithUnderstanding and recounting the history of God's interactions with His people helps to build a foundation of faith and encourages obedience. God's Righteous Acts as a Call to ObedienceRecognizing God's righteous acts should lead us to a life of obedience and gratitude, acknowledging His sovereignty and goodness. Leadership and ResponsibilitySamuel's role as a leader was to guide the people back to God. In our own spheres of influence, we are called to lead others towards truth and righteousness. Bible Study Questions 1. How can you actively remember and recount the righteous acts of God in your own life and community? 2. In what ways does understanding the history of God's faithfulness to Israel impact your personal faith journey? 3. How can you hold yourself accountable before God, as Samuel did with the Israelites? 4. What are some practical ways you can lead others in recognizing and responding to God's righteous acts? 5. How does the call to obedience in 1 Samuel 12:7 relate to Jesus' teachings in the New Testament? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 8This chapter also recounts the deeds of the LORD and serves as a reminder to the Israelites of God's faithfulness and their need to obey Him. Joshua 24Joshua similarly recounts the history of God's acts for Israel, urging them to serve the LORD faithfully. Psalm 78This psalm recounts the history of Israel and God's mighty works, emphasizing the importance of remembering and teaching these acts to future generations. People Aaron, Ammonites, Barak, Bedan, Egyptians, Jabin, Jacob, Jephthah, Jerubbaal, Nahash, Samuel, SiseraPlaces Egypt, Gilgal, Hazor, MoabTopics Acts, Argument, Clear, Confront, Deeds, Evidence, Fathers, Judge, Performed, Places, Plead, Reason, Righteous, Righteousness, Saving, Stand, Station, Story, YourselvesDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 12:7 1065 God, holiness of
1125 God, righteousness
5184 standing
5814 confrontation Library Old Truth for a New Epoch
'Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the Lord hath set a king over yon. 14. If ye will fear the Lord, and serve Him, and obey His voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the Lord; then shall both ye, and also the king that reigneth over you, continue following the Lord your God: 15. But if ye will not obey the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the commandment of the Lord; then shall the hand of the Lord be against you, as it was against …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Whole Heart
LET me give the principal passages in which the words "the whole heart," "all the heart," are used. A careful study of them will show how wholehearted love and service is what God has always asked, because He can, in the very nature of things, ask nothing less. The prayerful and believing acceptance of the words will waken the assurance that such wholehearted love and service is exactly the blessing the New Covenant was meant to make possible. That assurance will prepare us for turning to the Omnipotence …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants The King after Man's Heart
'And Samuel called the people together unto the Lord to Mizpeh; 18. And said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms, and of them that oppressed you; 19. And ye have this day rejected your God, who Himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto Him, Nay, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Old Judge and the Young King
'Now the Lord had told Samuel In his ear a day before Saul came, saying, 16, To-morrow, about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over My people Israel, that he may save My people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon My people, because their cry is come unto Me. 17. And when Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over My people. 18. Then Saul drew …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Exposition of the Doctrines of Grace
? Perseverance of the Saints--"The Final Perseverance of Believers in Christ Jesus," by William O'Neill (message 5). The Rev. C. H. SPURGEON took the chair at 3 o'clock. The proceedings were commenced by singing the 21st Hymn-- Saved from the damning power of sin, The law's tremendous curse, We'll now the sacred song begin Where God began with us. We'll sing the vast unmeasured grace Which, from the days of old, Did all his chosen sons embrace, As sheep within the fold. The basis of eternal love …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 7: 1861 Restraining Prayer: is it Sin?
"Thou restrainest prayer before God."--JOB xv. 4. "What profit should we have, if we pray unto Him?"--JOB xxi. 15. "God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you."--1 SAM. xii. 23. "Neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you."--JOSH. vii. 12. Any deep quickening of the spiritual life of the Church will always be accompanied by a deeper sense of sin. This will not begin with theology; that can only give expression to what God works …
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession Twenty-Sixth Day for the Holy Spirit on Young Converts
WHAT TO PRAY.--For the Holy Spirit on Young Converts "Peter and John prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost; for as yet He was fallen upon none of them: only they had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus."--ACTS viii. 15, 16. "Now He which establisheth us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God; who also gave us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts."--2 COR. i. 21, 22. How many new converts who remain feeble; how many who fall into sin; how many who backslide …
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession The Sick Person Ought Now to Send for Some Godly and Religious Pastor.
In any wise remember, if conveniently it may be, to send for some godly and religious pastor, not only to pray for thee at thy death--for God in such a case hath promised to hear the prayers of the righteous prophets, and elders of the church (Gen. xx. 7; Jer. xviii. 20; xv. 1; 1 Sam. xii. 19, 23; James v. 14, 15, 16)--but also upon thy unfeigned repentance to declare to thee the absolution of thy sins. For as Christ hath given him a calling to baptize thee unto repentance for the remission of thy …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
CLEARLY EXPLAINED, AND LARGELY IMPROVED, FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL BELIEVERS. 1 John 2:1--"And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." By JOHN BUNYAN, Author of "The Pilgrim's Progress." London: Printed for Dorman Newman, at the King's Arms, in the Poultry, 1689. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This is one of the most interesting of Bunyan's treatises, to edit which required the Bible at my right hand, and a law dictionary on my left. It was very frequently republished; …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews The Lamb of God, the Great Atonement
Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world! G reat and marvellous are the works of the LORD God almighty! We live in the midst of them, and the little impression they make upon us, sufficiently proves our depravity. He is great in the very smallest; and there is not a plant, flower, or insect, but bears the signature of infinite wisdom and power. How sensibly then should we be affected by the consideration of the Whole , if sin had not blinded our understandings, and hardened …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Samuel 12:7 NIV1 Samuel 12:7 NLT1 Samuel 12:7 ESV1 Samuel 12:7 NASB1 Samuel 12:7 KJV
1 Samuel 12:7 Commentaries
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