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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Samuel 12:21 Do not turn aside after worthless things that cannot profit you or deliver you, for they are empty.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/12-21.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/09_1Sa_12_21.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 12:21 - Samuel's Farewell Address" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Do not turn aside after worthless things that cannot profit you or deliver you, for they are empty." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_samuel/12-21.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_samuel/12-21.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_samuel/">1 Samuel</a> > <a href="/1_samuel/12.htm">Chapter 12</a> > Verse 21</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_samuel/12-20.htm" title="1 Samuel 12:20">◄</a> 1 Samuel 12:21 <a href="/1_samuel/12-22.htm" title="1 Samuel 12:22">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/12.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/12.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Don’t go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you—they are totally useless!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not turn aside after worthless things that cannot profit you or deliver you, for they are empty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And turn ye not aside: for <i>then should ye go</i> after vain <i>things</i>, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they <i>are</i> vain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And do not turn aside; for <i>then you would go</i> after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they <i>are</i> nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Indeed, you must not turn aside, for <i>then you would go</i> after useless things which cannot benefit or save, because they are useless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220You must not turn aside, for then you would go after futile things which can not profit or deliver, because they are futile.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And you must not turn aside, for <i>then you would go</i> after futile things which can not profit or deliver, because they are futile.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And you must not turn aside, for <i>then you would go</i> after meaningless things which cannot profit and cannot deliver, because they are meaningless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />You must not turn away, for <i>then you would go</i> after futile things which cannot profit or rescue, because they are futile.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Don’t turn away to follow worthless things that can’t profit or rescue you; they are worthless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Don&#8217t turn away to follow worthless things that can&#8217t profit or deliver you; they are worthless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and turn ye not aside; for then would ye go after vain things which cannot profit nor deliver, for they are vain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't worship idols! They don't have any power, and they can't help you or save you when you're in trouble. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things which cannot profit nor deliver, for they are vain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Don't turn away to follow other gods. They can't help or rescue you, because they don't exist.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Don't go after false gods; they cannot help you or save you, for they are not real. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Don't turn aside after useless things that cannot profit or deliver because they're useless. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not turn aside after worthless things that cannot profit you or deliver you, for they are empty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You should not turn aside after empty things that can't profit and can't deliver, since they are empty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Do not turn aside to go after vain things which can't profit nor deliver, for they are vain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And turn ye not aside: for then would ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Don’t turn away to go after vain things which can’t profit or deliver, for they are vain. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and you do not turn aside after the vain things which do not profit nor deliver, for they [are] vain,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and ye do not turn aside after the vain things which do not profit nor deliver, for they are vain,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And ye shall not turn aside: for after vanities which will not profit, and they will not deliver, for they are vanities.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And turn not aside after vain things which shall never profit you, nor deliver you, because they are vain. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And do not choose to turn aside after vanities, which will never benefit you, nor rescue you, since they are empty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Do not turn aside to gods who are nothing, who cannot act and deliver. They are nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />and do not turn aside after useless things that cannot profit or save, for they are useless.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And do not turn aside after vain things which cannot deliver you; that you may not die, for they are vain things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And do not turn away after empty things, that you will not die, and they are not saving you because they are empty things<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />and turn ye not aside; for then should ye go after vain things which cannot profit nor deliver, for they are vain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And turn not aside after the <i>gods</i> that are nothing, who will do nothing, and will not deliver <i>you</i>, because they are nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/12-21.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=3067" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/12.htm">Samuel's Farewell Address</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>“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. <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">Do not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5493.htm" title="5493: tā·sū·rū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To turn aside. Or suwr; a primitive root; to turn off.">turn aside</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: ’a·ḥă·rê (Prep) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after.">after</a> <a href="/hebrew/8414.htm" title="8414: hat·tō·hū (Art:: N-ms) -- From an unused root meaning to lie waste; a desolation, i.e. Desert; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain.">worthless</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">things that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">cannot</a> <a href="/hebrew/3276.htm" title="3276: yō·w·‘î·lū (V-Hifil-Imperf-3mp) -- To confer or gain profit or benefit. A primitive root; properly, to ascend; figuratively, to be valuable.">profit you</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5337.htm" title="5337: yaṣ·ṣî·lū (V-Hifil-Imperf-3mp) -- To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver. ">or deliver you,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">for</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hêm·māh (Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">they are</a> <a href="/hebrew/8414.htm" title="8414: ṯō·hū (N-ms) -- From an unused root meaning to lie waste; a desolation, i.e. Desert; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain.">empty.</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>Indeed, for the sake of His great name, the LORD will not abandon His people, because He was pleased to make you His own.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/2-5.htm">Jeremiah 2:5</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “What fault did your fathers find in Me that they strayed so far from Me? They followed worthless idols, and became worthless themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/32-21.htm">Deuteronomy 32:21</a></span><br />They have provoked My jealousy by that which is not God; they have enraged Me with their worthless idols. So I will make them jealous by those who are not a people; I will make them angry by a nation without understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Isaiah 44:9-10</a></span><br />All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. / Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jonah/2-8.htm">Jonah 2:8</a></span><br />Those who cling to worthless idols forsake His loving devotion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/115-4.htm">Psalm 115:4-8</a></span><br />Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/135-15.htm">Psalm 135:15-18</a></span><br />The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-15.htm">2 Kings 17:15</a></span><br />They rejected His statutes and the covenant He had made with their fathers, as well as the decrees He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves, going after the surrounding nations that the LORD had commanded them not to imitate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/10-3.htm">Jeremiah 10:3-5</a></span><br />For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut down a tree from the forest; it is shaped with a chisel by the hands of a craftsman. / They adorn it with silver and gold and fasten it with hammer and nails, so that it will not totter. / Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-29.htm">Isaiah 41:29</a></span><br />See, they are all a delusion; their works amount to nothing; their images are as empty as the wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/46-6.htm">Isaiah 46:6-7</a></span><br />They pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on scales; they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god, so they can bow down and worship. / They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-23</a></span><br />For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/8-4.htm">1 Corinthians 8:4-6</a></span><br />So about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world, and that there is no God but one. / For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many so-called gods and lords), / yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we exist.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/4-8.htm">Galatians 4:8-9</a></span><br />Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. / But now that you know God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you are turning back to those weak and worthless principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-17.htm">Ephesians 4:17-18</a></span><br />So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. / They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/1-9.htm">1 Thessalonians 1:9</a></span><br />For they themselves report what kind of welcome you gave us, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And turn you not aside: for then should you go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.</p><p class="hdg">vain things</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/32-21.htm">Deuteronomy 32:21</a></b></br> They have moved me to jealousy with <i>that which is</i> not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with <i>those which are</i> not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/2-5.htm">Jeremiah 2:5,13</a></b></br> Thus saith the LORD, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/10-8.htm">Jeremiah 10:8,15</a></b></br> But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock <i>is</i> a doctrine of vanities… </p><p class="hdg">cannot profit</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/115-4.htm">Psalm 115:4-8</a></b></br> Their idols <i>are</i> silver and gold, the work of men's hands… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/41-23.htm">Isaiah 41:23,24</a></b></br> Shew the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye <i>are</i> gods: yea, do good, or do evil, that we may be dismayed, and behold <i>it</i> together… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Isaiah 44:9,10</a></b></br> They that make a graven image <i>are</i> all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they <i>are</i> their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/12-10.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/judges/18-31.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/judges/5-19.htm">Profit</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-3.htm">Rescue</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-2.htm">Right</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-3.htm">Save</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-20.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/1_samuel/10-9.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/2_peter/1-8.htm">Useless</a> <a href="/judges/11-3.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-27.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/14-37.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/1_samuel/31-9.htm">Idols</a> <a href="/esther/3-8.htm">Profit</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-8.htm">Rescue</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-23.htm">Right</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-6.htm">Save</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-7.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-21.htm">Turning</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-21.htm">Useless</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-39.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-23.htm">Way</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/12-1.htm">Samuel testifies his integrity</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/12-6.htm">He reproves the people of ingratitude</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/12-16.htm">He terrifies them with thunder in harvest time</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/12-20.htm">he comforts them in God's mercy</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/12.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/12.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Do not turn aside after worthless things</b><br>This phrase serves as a warning against idolatry and the pursuit of things that have no eternal value. In the context of 1 Samuel, the Israelites were tempted to follow other gods and practices of surrounding nations, which were considered worthless in comparison to the worship of Yahweh. The term "worthless things" can also refer to material possessions or pursuits that distract from a life devoted to God. This echoes the first commandment in <a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3</a>, "You shall have no other gods before Me," emphasizing the exclusivity of worship due to God alone. The admonition to not turn aside suggests a deliberate choice to remain faithful, highlighting the importance of steadfastness in one's spiritual journey.<p><b>that cannot profit you</b><br>The idea of profit here is not merely financial but encompasses spiritual and moral benefits. The prophets often criticized the futility of idol worship, as seen in <a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Isaiah 44:9-20</a>, where idols are described as incapable of providing any real help or benefit. The emphasis is on the inability of these "worthless things" to contribute to one's spiritual well-being or salvation. This aligns with Jesus' teaching in <a href="/matthew/6-19.htm">Matthew 6:19-21</a>, where He advises storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth, pointing to the eternal value of spiritual pursuits over temporal gains.<p><b>or deliver you</b><br>Deliverance in the biblical sense often refers to salvation or rescue from danger, oppression, or sin. In the historical context of 1 Samuel, the Israelites frequently sought deliverance from their enemies, and God was their ultimate deliverer. The phrase underscores the impotence of idols or false gods to provide true deliverance, contrasting with God's proven ability to save His people, as seen in the Exodus narrative. This also foreshadows the ultimate deliverance through Jesus Christ, who is described as the Savior in the New Testament, offering deliverance from sin and death (<a href="/romans/7-24.htm">Romans 7:24-25</a>).<p><b>for they are empty</b><br>The term "empty" signifies the lack of substance or reality in idols and false pursuits. This is a common theme in the Old Testament, where idols are often depicted as lifeless and powerless (<a href="/jeremiah/10-5.htm">Jeremiah 10:5</a>). The emptiness of these pursuits is contrasted with the fullness of life found in a relationship with God. In the New Testament, this concept is expanded upon in <a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">Colossians 2:8</a>, where believers are warned against being taken captive by hollow and deceptive philosophy. The emptiness of worldly pursuits is ultimately contrasted with the fullness of life and purpose found in Christ (<a href="/john/10-10.htm">John 10:10</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/samuel.htm">Samuel</a></b><br>The last judge of Israel, a prophet, and a key figure in the transition from the period of judges to the monarchy. He is delivering a farewell speech to the Israelites in this chapter.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, who have demanded a king to rule over them, rejecting God as their direct ruler.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a></b><br>The first king of Israel, anointed by Samuel, representing the shift from theocratic to monarchical rule.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/gilgal.htm">Gilgal</a></b><br>The location where Samuel delivers his farewell address, a significant site for Israel's history and covenant renewal.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/i/idolatry.htm">Idolatry</a></b><br>The act of turning away from God to worship false gods or "worthless things," which is a central theme in Samuel's warning.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/a/avoiding_idolatry.htm">Avoiding Idolatry</a></b><br>Samuel's warning is timeless, urging believers to avoid modern forms of idolatry, such as materialism, power, or fame, which can distract from a relationship with God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_worldly_pursuits.htm">The Futility of Worldly Pursuits</a></b><br>Pursuing things that cannot profit or deliver is ultimately futile. Believers are encouraged to focus on eternal values and God's kingdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_to_god.htm">Faithfulness to God</a></b><br>The call to remain faithful to God, who alone can deliver and provide true profit, is central to Samuel's message.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_renewal.htm">Repentance and Renewal</a></b><br>Samuel's address is a call to repentance and renewal of commitment to God, applicable to personal spiritual life today.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trust in God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Despite Israel's demand for a king, God remains sovereign. Trusting in His plan and provision is crucial for believers.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 12</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_1_sam_13_1-2_and_acts_13_21_align.htm">How does 1 Samuel 13:1-2 reconcile with Acts 13:21, which states Saul reigned for forty years?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_wasn't_david_punished_for_lying.htm">Why did God not condemn or punish David for lying to Ahimelech (1 Samuel 21:1-2)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_many_famine_years_for_david.htm">God sent his prophet to threaten David with how many years of famine? Seven (2 Samuel 24:13) Three (I Chronicles 21:12)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_goliath's_death_accounts.htm">How do we reconcile 2 Samuel 21:19 (attributing Goliath's death to Elhanan) with David's victory in 1 Samuel 17?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_samuel/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) <span class= "bld">For then should ye go after vain things.</span>--The passage is more forcible without the "for" and the words in italics supplied in the English translation. The verse without it would run thus: "Turn ye not aside after vain things which cannot profit," &c. Singularly enough, <span class= "ital">not one </span>of the ancient versions translate the Hebrew<span class= "ital"> ki, </span>"for": they <span class= "ital">all </span>omit it. It is therefore clear that this "for" has, through some copyist's error, got into the text since the versions were made.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For then should ye go after vain things.</span> The word <span class="accented">for</span> is omitted in all the ancient versions, and the sense is complete without it: "And turn ye not aside after <span class="accented">tohu,"</span> the word used in <a href="/genesis/1-1.htm">Genesis 1:1</a>, and there translated "without form." It means anything <span class="accented">empty, void</span>, and so is often used, as here, for "an idol," because, as St. Paul says, "an idol is nothing in the world" (<a href="/1_corinthians/8-4.htm">1 Corinthians 8:4</a>). So Isaiah (<a href="/isaiah/44-9.htm">Isaiah 44:9</a>) calls the makers of idols vanity, Hebrew, <span class="accented">tohu, i.e.</span> empty people, with no sense in them. The word is used again at the end of the verse - <span class="cmt_word">which</span> idols <span class="cmt_word">cannot profit nor deliver; for they are</span> <span class="accented">tohu</span>, emptiness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/12-21.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Do not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹ֖א</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">turn aside</span><br /><span class="heb">תָּס֑וּרוּ</span> <span class="translit">(tā·sū·rū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5493.htm">Strong's 5493: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn aside</span><br /><br /><span class="word">after</span><br /><span class="heb">אַחֲרֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(’a·ḥă·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_310.htm">Strong's 310: </a> </span><span class="str2">The hind or following part</span><br /><br /><span class="word">worthless</span><br /><span class="heb">הַתֹּ֗הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(hat·tō·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8414.htm">Strong's 8414: </a> </span><span class="str2">A desolation, desert, a worthless thing, in vain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">things that</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֧ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">cannot</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">profit [you]</span><br /><span class="heb">יוֹעִ֛ילוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yō·w·‘î·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3276.htm">Strong's 3276: </a> </span><span class="str2">To confer or gain profit or benefit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or deliver [you],</span><br /><span class="heb">יַצִּ֖ילוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yaṣ·ṣî·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5337.htm">Strong's 5337: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they [are]</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵֽמָּה׃</span> <span class="translit">(hêm·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> </span><span class="str2">They</span><br /><br /><span class="word">empty.</span><br /><span class="heb">תֹ֥הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(ṯō·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8414.htm">Strong's 8414: </a> </span><span class="str2">A desolation, desert, a worthless thing, in vain</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/12-21.htm">1 Samuel 12:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/12-21.htm">1 Samuel 12:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/12-21.htm">1 Samuel 12:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/12-21.htm">1 Samuel 12:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/12-21.htm">1 Samuel 12:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/12-21.htm">1 Samuel 12:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/12-21.htm">1 Samuel 12:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/12-21.htm">1 Samuel 12:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/12-21.htm">1 Samuel 12:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/12-21.htm">1 Samuel 12:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/12-21.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 12:21 And don't turn aside (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/12-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 12:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 12:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/12-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 12:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 12:22" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>