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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 12:12 But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, 'No, we must have a king to rule over us'--even though the LORD your God was your king.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_samuel/12-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/09_1Sa_12_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Samuel 12:12 - Samuel's Farewell Address" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, 'No, we must have a king to rule over us'--even though the LORD your God was your king." /><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'; 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but a king shall reign over us: when the LORD your God was your king. <a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/12.htm">New King James Version</a> And when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites came against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us,’ when the LORD your God was your king. <a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But when you saw that Nahash the king of the sons of Ammon was coming against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us!’ Yet the LORD your God was your king. <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/12.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220When you saw that Nahash the king of the sons of Ammon came against you, you said to me, &#8216No, but a king shall reign over us,&#8217 although the LORD your God was your king. <a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “When you saw that Nahash the king of the sons of Ammon came against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us,’ although the LORD your God was your king. <a href="/lsb/1_samuel/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But you saw that Nahash the king of the sons of Ammon came against you, and you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us,’ although Yahweh your God was your king. <a href="/amp/1_samuel/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites had come against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us’—although the LORD your God was your King. <a href="/csb/1_samuel/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was coming against you, you said to me, ‘No, we must have a king reign over us’—even though the LORD your God is your king. <a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was coming against you, you said to me, &#8216No, we must have a king rule over us—even though the LORD your God is your king. <a href="/asv/1_samuel/12.htm">American Standard Version</a> And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay, but a king shall reign over us; when Jehovah your God was your king. <a href="/cev/1_samuel/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Then you saw that King Nahash of Ammon was going to attack you. And even though the LORD your God is your king, you told me, "This time it's different. We want a king to rule us!" <a href="/erv/1_samuel/12.htm">English Revised Version</a> And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay, but a king shall reign over us: when the LORD your God was your king. <a href="/gwt/1_samuel/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> But when you saw King Nahash of Ammon coming to attack you, you told me, 'No, a king should rule over us,' though the LORD your God was your king. <a href="/gnt/1_samuel/12.htm">Good News Translation</a> But when you saw that King Nahash of Ammon was about to attack you, you rejected the LORD as your king and said to me, 'We want a king to rule us.' <a href="/isv/1_samuel/12.htm">International Standard Version</a> But when you saw that Nahash, king of the Ammonites, was coming to fight you, you told me, 'No, let a king rule over us instead,' even though the LORD your God was your king. <a href="/msb/1_samuel/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you, you said to me, ?No, we must have a king to rule over us??even though the LORD your God was your king. <a href="/net/1_samuel/12.htm">NET Bible</a> "When you saw that King Nahash of the Ammonites was advancing against you, you said to me, 'No! A king will rule over us'--even though the LORD your God is your king! <a href="/nheb/1_samuel/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> "When you saw that Nahash the king of the people of Ammon came against you, you said to me, 'No, but a king shall reign over us;' when the LORD your God was your king. <a href="/wbt/1_samuel/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said to me, No; but a king shall reign over us: when the LORD your God was your king. <a href="/web/1_samuel/12.htm">World English Bible</a> “When you saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us,’ when Yahweh your God was your king. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And you see that Nahash king of the sons of Ammon has come against you, and you say to me, No, but a king reigns over us; and your God YHWH [is] your king! <a href="/ylt/1_samuel/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And ye see that Nahash king of the Bene-Ammon hath come against you, and ye say to me, Nay, but a king doth reign over us; and Jehovah your God is your king! <a href="/slt/1_samuel/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And ye will see that Nahash, king of the sons of Ammon, came against you, and ye will say to me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: and Jehovah your God your king.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_samuel/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But seeing that Naas king of the children of Ammon was come against you, you said to me: Nay, but a king shall reign over us: whereas the Lord your God was your king. <a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Then, seeing that Nahash, the king of the sons of Ammon, had arrived against you, you said to me, ‘By no means! Instead, a king shall reign over us,’ even though the Lord your God was reigning over you. <a href="/nabre/1_samuel/12.htm">New American Bible</a> Yet, when you saw Nahash, king of the Ammonites, advancing against you, you said to me, ‘No! A king must rule us,’ even though the LORD your God is your king. <a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But when you saw that King Nahash of the Ammonites came against you, you said to me, ‘No, but a king shall reign over us,’ though the LORD your God was your king.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And when you saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, you said to me, No; but a king shall reign over us; yet the LORD your God was your king. <a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And you saw Nakhash, King of the children of Amon, coming for you, and you said: “‘Not so, but a King will reign over us!’ And LORD JEHOVAH your God was your King<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_samuel/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me: Nay, but a king shall reign over us; when the LORD your God was your king. <a href="/sep/1_samuel/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And ye saw that Naas king of the children of Ammon came against you, and ye said, Nay, none but a king shall reign over us; whereas the Lord our God is our king. <a href="/parallel/1_samuel/12-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=2957" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/12.htm">Samuel's Farewell Address</a> …11So the LORD sent Jerubbaal, Barak, Jephthah, and Samuel, and He delivered you from the hands of your enemies on every side, and you dwelt securely. 12<a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: wat·tir·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2mp) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">But when you saw</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/5176.htm" title="5176: nā·ḥāš (N-proper-ms) -- The name of several non-Isr. The same as nachash; Nachash, the name of two persons apparently non-Israelite.">Nahash</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: me·leḵ (N-msc) -- King. From malak; a king.">king</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">of the Ammonites</a> <a href="/hebrew/5983.htm" title="5983: ‘am·mō·wn (N-proper-ms) -- A people living E. of the Jordan. From am; tribal, i.e. Inbred; Ammon, a son of Lot; also his posterity and their country."></a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: bā (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">was moving</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ă·lê·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">against you,</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: wat·tō·mə·rū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">you said</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">to me,</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.">‘No,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: me·leḵ (N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">we must have a king</a> <a href="/hebrew/4427.htm" title="4427: yim·lōḵ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence to take counsel.">to rule</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·lê·nū (Prep:: 1cp) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">over us’—</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (Conj-w:: N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">even though the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵem (N-mpc:: 2mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">your God</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: mal·kə·ḵem (N-msc:: 2mp) -- King. From malak; a king.">was your king.</a> 13Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you requested. Behold, the LORD has placed a king over you.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/judges/8-23.htm">Judges 8:23</a> But Gideon replied, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son. The LORD shall rule over you.” <a href="/hosea/13-10.htm">Hosea 13:10-11</a> 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. <a href="/1_samuel/8-5.htm">1 Samuel 8:5-7</a> “Look,” they said, “you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint a king to judge us like all the other nations.” / But when they said, “Give us a king to judge us,” their demand was displeasing in the sight of Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. / And the LORD said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you. For it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected Me as their king. <a href="/1_samuel/10-19.htm">1 Samuel 10:19</a> 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.” <a href="/1_samuel/8-19.htm">1 Samuel 8:19-20</a> Nevertheless, the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We must have a king over us. / Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to judge us, to go out before us, and to fight our battles.” <a href="/deuteronomy/17-14.htm">Deuteronomy 17:14-15</a> When you enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, “Let us set a king over us like all the nations around us,” / you are to appoint over yourselves the king whom the LORD your God shall choose. Appoint a king from among your brothers; you are not to set over yourselves a foreigner who is not one of your brothers. <a href="/1_samuel/9-16.htm">1 Samuel 9:16-17</a> “At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you are to anoint him ruler over My people Israel; he will save them from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.” / When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke; he shall rule over My people.” <a href="/1_samuel/11-1.htm">1 Samuel 11:1-2</a> Then Nahash the Ammonite came up and laid siege to Jabesh-gilead. All the men of Jabesh said to him, “Make a treaty with us, and we will serve you.” / But Nahash the Ammonite replied, “I will make a treaty with you on one condition, that I may put out everyone’s right eye and bring reproach upon all Israel.” <a href="/1_samuel/11-12.htm">1 Samuel 11:12-15</a> Then the people said to Samuel, “Who said that Saul should not reign over us? Bring those men here so we can kill them!” / But Saul ordered, “No one shall be put to death this day, for today the LORD has worked salvation in Israel.” / Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingship there.” ... <a href="/2_kings/17-7.htm">2 Kings 17:7</a> All this happened because the people of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They had worshiped other gods <a href="/2_kings/17-35.htm">2 Kings 17:35-39</a> For the LORD had made a covenant with the Israelites and commanded them, “Do not worship other gods or bow down to them; do not serve them or sacrifice to them. / Instead, worship the LORD, who brought you out of the land of Egypt with great power and an outstretched arm. You are to bow down to Him and offer sacrifices to Him. / And you must always be careful to observe the statutes, ordinances, laws, and commandments He wrote for you. Do not worship other gods. ... <a href="/isaiah/8-19.htm">Isaiah 8:19-20</a> When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter, shouldn’t a people consult their God instead? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? / To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. <a href="/jeremiah/2-13.htm">Jeremiah 2:13</a> “For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water. <a href="/jeremiah/2-17.htm">Jeremiah 2:17-19</a> Have you not brought this on yourself by forsaking the LORD your God when He led you in the way? / Now what will you gain on your way to Egypt to drink the waters of the Nile? What will you gain on your way to Assyria to drink the waters of the Euphrates? / Your own evil will discipline you; your own apostasies will reprimand you. Consider and realize how evil and bitter it is for you to forsake the LORD your God and to have no fear of Me,” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts. <a href="/acts/13-21.htm">Acts 13:21</a> Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And when you saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, you said to me, No; but a king shall reign over us: when the LORD your God was your king.Nahash<a href="/1_samuel/11-1.htm">1 Samuel 11:1,2</a> Then Nahash the Ammonite came up, and encamped against Jabeshgilead: and all the men of Jabesh said unto Nahash, Make a covenant with us, and we will serve thee… Nay<a href="/1_samuel/8-3.htm">1 Samuel 8:3,5,6,19,20</a> And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment… <a href="/judges/9-18.htm">Judges 9:18,56,57</a> And ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;) … when the Lord<a href="/1_samuel/8-7.htm">1 Samuel 8:7</a> And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.<a href="/1_samuel/10-19.htm">1 Samuel 10:19</a> 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 before the LORD by your tribes, and by your thousands.<a href="/genesis/17-7.htm">Genesis 17:7</a> And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/2-32.htm">Although</a> <a href="/judges/12-3.htm">Ammon</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-11.htm">Ammonites</a> <a href="/judges/12-2.htm">Bene-Ammon</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-8.htm">Children</a> <a href="/1_samuel/3-15.htm">Moving</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-2.htm">Nahash</a> <a href="/genesis/38-22.htm">No</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-1.htm">Reign</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-17.htm">Rule</a> <a href="/1_samuel/10-1.htm">Ruler</a> <a href="/1_samuel/8-19.htm">Want</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/15-17.htm">Although</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-47.htm">Ammon</a> <a href="/2_samuel/8-12.htm">Ammonites</a> <a href="/2_samuel/8-12.htm">Bene-Ammon</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-18.htm">Children</a> <a href="/1_samuel/14-26.htm">Moving</a> <a href="/2_samuel/10-2.htm">Nahash</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-23.htm">No</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-1.htm">Reign</a> <a href="/1_samuel/30-25.htm">Rule</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-14.htm">Ruler</a> <a href="/1_samuel/20-4.htm">Want</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 12</div>1. <a href="/1_samuel/12-1.htm">Samuel testifies his integrity</a> 6. <a href="/1_samuel/12-6.htm">He reproves the people of ingratitude</a> 16. <a href="/1_samuel/12-16.htm">He terrifies them with thunder in harvest time</a> 20. <a href="/1_samuel/12-20.htm">he comforts them in God's mercy</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>But when you saw that Nahash king of the Ammonites was moving against you Nahash was a king of the Ammonites, a people often in conflict with Israel. The Ammonites were descendants of Lot, and their territory was east of the Jordan River. Historically, the Ammonites were known for their hostility towards Israel, as seen in <a href="/judges/11.htm">Judges 11</a>. Nahash's aggression is a catalyst for Israel's demand for a human king, highlighting their fear and lack of trust in God's protection. This reflects a recurring theme in Israel's history where external threats lead to internal spiritual crises.you said to me, ‘No, we must have a king to rule over us’ This statement marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history. The Israelites' demand for a king signifies a shift from a theocratic system, where God directly ruled through judges, to a monarchy. This request was not merely political but spiritual, indicating a desire to conform to the surrounding nations (<a href="/1_samuel/8-5.htm">1 Samuel 8:5</a>). It reveals a lack of faith in God's sovereignty and protection, despite His past deliverances. This decision would have long-term consequences, as seen in the subsequent reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon.even though the LORD your God was your king This phrase underscores the theological error in Israel's request. God was their true king, as established in the covenant at Sinai (<a href="/exodus/19-5.htm">Exodus 19:5-6</a>). The demand for a human king was a rejection of God's kingship and a failure to recognize His provision and guidance. This reflects a deeper spiritual issue of idolatry and self-reliance. The desire for a human king foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment of God's kingship in Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, who perfectly embodies God's rule and reign (<a href="/revelation/19-16.htm">Revelation 19:16</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/n/nahash.htm">Nahash</a> King of the Ammonites, an enemy of Israel who threatened them, prompting their demand for a human king. 2. <a href="/topical/s/samuel.htm">Samuel</a> The last judge of Israel, a prophet who anointed Saul as king and delivered God's messages to the people. 3. <a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a> The people of Israel who demanded a king to lead them, rejecting God's direct kingship. 4. <a href="/topical/a/ammonites.htm">Ammonites</a> A neighboring nation often in conflict with Israel, led by Nahash during this period. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The God of Israel, who was their divine king and protector.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_vs._human_leadership.htm">God's Sovereignty vs. Human Leadership</a> The Israelites' demand for a king reflects a lack of trust in God's sovereignty. We must evaluate where we place our trust and ensure it is in God rather than human institutions or leaders. <a href="/topical/f/fear_and_faith.htm">Fear and Faith</a> The fear of Nahash led the Israelites to seek a human king. In our lives, fear can drive us away from faith. We should strive to respond to fear with trust in God's provision and protection. <a href="/topical/c/conformity_to_the_world.htm">Conformity to the World</a> Israel's desire to be like other nations led them to reject God's unique plan for them. Christians are called to be set apart and not conform to worldly standards. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leadership.htm">The Role of Leadership</a> While human leadership is necessary, it should always be under God's guidance. Leaders in the church and community should seek God's wisdom and direction. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_obedience.htm">Repentance and Obedience</a> Samuel's message calls for repentance and obedience to God. We should regularly examine our lives, repent of misplaced trust, and commit to following God's will.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_12.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 12</a> <a href="/q/is_democracy_aligned_with_christianity.htm">Is democracy inherently aligned with Christian principles?</a> <a href="/q/why_did_israelites_request_a_king.htm">Why did Israelites request a king?</a> <a href="/q/why_was_david's_child_punished.htm">Why did God punish David and Bathsheba's child?</a> <a href="/q/who_was_nahash_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Nahash the Ammonite in the Bible?</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>(12) Nahash the king of the children of Ammon.--It has been suggested, with great probability, that Nahash and the Ammonites had invaded the trans-Jordanic territory of Israel in the period immediately preceding the demand addressed to Samuel for a king, and that the invasion which culminated in the siege of Jabesh-gilead was only one of a series of destructive forays and invasions.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 12. - Nahash the king of the children of Ammon. This makes it probable that there had been threats of war, and even incursions into the Israelite territory, by Nahash before his attack on Jabesh-Gilead. We thus, too, should be able to account for the rancour displayed in his wish so to treat the men of that town as to make them a reproach to all Israel; for his hatred of Israel may have grown in intensity in the course of a harassing war, or he may have learnt to despise a people incapable of offering a regular resistance. At all events, Samuel describes Nahash as giving the final impetus to the desire of the nation for a king. When Jehovah your God was your king. See <a href="/judges/8-23.htm">Judges 8:23</a>. <a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/12-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>But when you saw וַתִּרְא֗וּ (wat·tir·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> To see that כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction Nahash נָחָ֞שׁ (nā·ḥāš) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5176.htm">Strong's 5176: </a> Nahash -- the name of several non-Israelites king מֶ֣לֶךְ (me·leḵ) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king of the Ammonites בְּנֵֽי־ (bə·nê-) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> A son was moving בָּ֣א (bā) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go against you, עֲלֵיכֶם֒ (‘ă·lê·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against you said to me, וַתֹּ֣אמְרוּ (wat·tō·mə·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> To utter, say ‘No, לֹ֕א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no we must have a king מֶ֖לֶךְ (me·leḵ) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king to rule יִמְלֹ֣ךְ (yim·lōḵ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4427.htm">Strong's 4427: </a> To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel over us’— עָלֵ֑ינוּ (‘ā·lê·nū) Preposition | first person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against even though the LORD וַיהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel your God אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖ם (’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵem) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative is your king. מַלְכְּכֶֽם׃ (mal·kə·ḵem) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/12-12.htm">1 Samuel 12:12 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_samuel/12-12.htm">1 Samuel 12:12 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_samuel/12-12.htm">1 Samuel 12:12 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_samuel/12-12.htm">1 Samuel 12:12 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_samuel/12-12.htm">1 Samuel 12:12 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/12-12.htm">1 Samuel 12:12 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/12-12.htm">1 Samuel 12:12 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/12-12.htm">1 Samuel 12:12 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/12-12.htm">1 Samuel 12:12 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_samuel/12-12.htm">1 Samuel 12:12 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-12.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 12:12 When you saw that Nahash the king (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/12-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 12:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 12:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/12-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 12:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 12:13" /></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>