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1 Samuel 12:1 Then Samuel said to all Israel, "I have listened to your voice in all that you have said to me, and I have set over you a king.
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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 />Samuel said to all Israel, “I have listened to everything you said to me and have set a king over you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Then Samuel addressed all Israel: “I have done as you asked and given you a king.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And Samuel said to all Israel, “Behold, I have obeyed your voice in all that you have said to me and have made a king over you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Samuel said to all Israel, “I have listened to your voice in all that you have said to me, and I have set over you a king.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Now Samuel said to all Israel: “Indeed I have heeded your voice in all that you said to me, and have made a king over you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Samuel said to all Israel, “Behold, I have listened to your voice for all that you said to me, and I have appointed a king over you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then Samuel said to all Israel, “Behold, I have listened to your voice in all that you said to me and I have appointed a king over you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then Samuel said to all Israel, “Behold, I have listened to your voice in all that you said to me, and I have appointed a king over you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Samuel said to all Israel, “Behold, I have listened to your voice in all that you said to me, and I have appointed a king over you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then Samuel said to all Israel, “Behold, I have listened to your voice in everything that you have said to me and have appointed a king over you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Samuel said to all Israel, “I have carefully listened to everything you said to me and placed a king over you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Samuel said to all Israel, “I have carefully listened to everything you said to me and placed a king over you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Samuel told the Israelites: I have given you a king, just as you asked. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then Samuel said to all Israel, "I have listened to everything you have said to me and appointed a king over you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then Samuel said to the people of Israel, "I have done what you asked me to do. I have given you a king to rule you, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Samuel told all Israel, "Take note! I've listened to you, to everything you have told me, and I've appointed a king over you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Samuel said to all Israel, ?I have listened to your voice in all that you have said to me, and I have set over you a king.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Samuel said to all Israel, "I have done everything you requested. I have given you a king.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Samuel said to all Israel, "Look, I have listened to your voice in all that you said to me, and have made a king over you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Samuel said to all Israel, behold, I have hearkened to your voice in all that ye said to me, and have made a king over you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Samuel said to all Israel, “Behold, I have listened to your voice in all that you said to me, and have made a king over you. <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 Samuel says to all Israel, “Behold, I have listened to your voice, to all that you said to me, and I cause a king to reign over you,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Samuel saith unto all Israel, 'Lo, I have hearkened to your voice, to all that ye said to me, and I cause to reign over you a king,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Samuel will say to all Israel, Behold, I heard to your voice, to all that ye said to me, and I will make a king over you.<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 Samuel said to all Israel: Behold I have hearkened to your voice in all that you said to me, and have made a king over you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Then Samuel said to all of Israel: “Behold, I have listened to your voice, according to all that you have said to me, and I have appointed a king over you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Samuel addressed all Israel: “I have granted your request in every respect,” he said. “I have set a king over you<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Samuel said to all Israel, “I have listened to you in all that you have said to me, and have set a king over you.<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 Samuel said to all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened to your voice in all that you said to me, and have made a king over you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Shemueil said to all Israel: “Behold, I have listened to your voice, all that you have told me, and I have crowned a King over you<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 Samuel said unto all Israel: 'Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Samuel said to all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened to your voice in all things that ye have said to me, and I have set a king over you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/12-1.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=2820" 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">1</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8050.htm" title="8050: šə·mū·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- Name of God, a prophet of Isr. From the passive participle of shama' and 'el; heard of God; Shemuel, the name of three Israelites.">Then Samuel</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">Israel,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: hin·nêh (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!"></a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šā·ma‘·tî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">“I have listened</a> <a href="/hebrew/6963.htm" title="6963: ḇə·qō·lə·ḵem (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 2mp) -- Sound, voice. Or qol; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound.">to your voice</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: lə·ḵōl (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">in all</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."></a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ă·mar·tem (V-Qal-Perf-2mp) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">that you have said</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">to me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4427.htm" title="4427: wā·’am·lîḵ (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence to take counsel.">and I have set</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.">over you</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: me·leḵ (N-ms) -- King. From malak; a king.">a king.</a> </span><span class="reftext">2</span>Now here is the king walking before you, and I am old and gray, and my sons are here with you. I have walked before you from my youth until this day.…<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="/1_samuel/8-5.htm">1 Samuel 8:5-22</a></span><br />“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. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/10-17.htm">1 Samuel 10:17-24</a></span><br />After this, Samuel summoned the people to the LORD at Mizpah / and said to the Israelites, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I brought Israel up out of Egypt, and I rescued you from the hands of the Egyptians and of all the kingdoms that oppressed you.’ / 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.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/11-14.htm">1 Samuel 11:14-15</a></span><br />Then Samuel said to the people, “Come, let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingship there.” / So all the people went to Gilgal and confirmed Saul as king in the presence of the LORD. There they sacrificed peace offerings before the LORD, and Saul and all the Israelites rejoiced greatly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/17-14.htm">Deuteronomy 17:14-20</a></span><br />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. / But the king must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire more horses, for the LORD has said, ‘You are never to go back that way again.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/13-10.htm">Hosea 13:10-11</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/8-22.htm">Judges 8:22-23</a></span><br />Then the Israelites said to Gideon, “Rule over us—you and your son and grandson—for you have saved us from the hand of Midian.” / But Gideon replied, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son. The LORD shall rule over you.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/8-20.htm">1 Kings 8:20</a></span><br />Now the LORD has fulfilled the word that He spoke. I have succeeded my father David, and I sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised. I have built the house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-7.htm">2 Kings 17:7-8</a></span><br />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 / and walked in the customs of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites, as well as in the practices introduced by the kings of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/78-70.htm">Psalm 78:70-72</a></span><br />He chose David His servant and took him from the sheepfolds; / from tending the ewes He brought him to be shepherd of His people Jacob, of Israel His inheritance. / So David shepherded them with integrity of heart and guided them with skillful hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/13-21.htm">Acts 13:21-22</a></span><br />Then the people asked for a king, and God gave them Saul son of Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. / After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-1.htm">Romans 13:1-7</a></span><br />Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. / For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-13.htm">1 Peter 2:13-17</a></span><br />Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, / or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. / For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorance of foolish men. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/22-21.htm">Matthew 22:21</a></span><br />“Caesar’s,” they answered. So Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/19-15.htm">John 19:15</a></span><br />At this, they shouted, “Away with Him! Away with Him! Crucify Him!” “Shall I crucify your King?” Pilate asked. “We have no king but Caesar,” replied the chief priests.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/19-14.htm">Luke 19:14</a></span><br />But his subjects hated him and sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We do not want this man to rule over us.’</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Samuel said to all Israel, Behold, I have listened to your voice in all that you said to me, and have made a king over you.</p><p class="hdg">Behold</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/8-5.htm">1 Samuel 8:5-8,19-22</a></b></br> And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations… </p><p class="hdg">have made</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/10-1.htm">1 Samuel 10:1,24</a></b></br> Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured <i>it</i> upon his head, and kissed him, and said, <i>Is it</i> not because the LORD hath anointed thee <i>to be</i> captain over his inheritance? … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/11-14.htm">1 Samuel 11:14,15</a></b></br> Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/9-24.htm">Appointed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-2.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/1_samuel/9-15.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/1_samuel/2-25.htm">Hearkened</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-15.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-12.htm">Reign</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-14.htm">Samuel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-4.htm">Voice</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/12-6.htm">Appointed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-10.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-15.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-19.htm">Hearkened</a> <a href="/1_samuel/13-1.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-12.htm">Reign</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-5.htm">Samuel</a> <a href="/1_samuel/12-14.htm">Voice</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 /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <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>Then Samuel said to all Israel</b><br>Samuel, the last judge of Israel and a prophet, addresses the entire nation. This moment is significant as it marks a transition from the period of judges to the monarchy. Samuel's role as a leader and prophet is crucial, as he serves as a bridge between these two eras. His address to "all Israel" indicates the unity and collective identity of the tribes, emphasizing the importance of national cohesion under God's covenant.<p><b>I have listened to your voice</b><br>Samuel acknowledges the people's request for a king, which they made in <a href="/1_samuel/8-5.htm">1 Samuel 8:5</a>. This phrase highlights the democratic aspect of Israel's governance at the time, where the people's desires were considered. However, it also reflects a deeper spiritual issue, as their request for a king was seen as a rejection of God's direct rule over them (<a href="/1_samuel/8-7.htm">1 Samuel 8:7</a>). This moment underscores the tension between human desires and divine will.<p><b>in all that you have said to me</b><br>Samuel's statement indicates that he has fully understood and considered the people's demands. This phrase suggests thorough communication and deliberation, showing Samuel's role as an intermediary between God and the people. It also reflects the seriousness of the people's request, which was not made lightly but with insistence and clarity.<p><b>and I have set over you a king</b><br>This marks the fulfillment of the people's request for a monarchy, with Saul being anointed as the first king of Israel (<a href="/1_samuel/10.htm">1 Samuel 10:1</a>). The establishment of a king represents a significant shift in Israel's governance, aligning them more closely with neighboring nations. This phrase also foreshadows the complexities and challenges of monarchy, as seen in the subsequent narratives of Saul, David, and Solomon. Theologically, it points to the ultimate kingship of Jesus Christ, who fulfills the role of the perfect and eternal king, as prophesied in passages like <a href="/isaiah/9-6.htm">Isaiah 9:6-7</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 pivotal figure in the transition from the period of judges to the monarchy. He anointed both Saul and David as kings.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation chosen by God, consisting of the twelve tribes. At this point in history, they are transitioning from a theocratic system of judges to a monarchy.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_king.htm">The King</a></b><br>Refers to Saul, the first king of Israel, whom Samuel anointed in response to the people's demand for a king to lead them like other nations.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_transition_to_monarchy.htm">The Transition to Monarchy</a></b><br>A significant event in Israel's history where they moved from being led by judges to having a centralized monarchy, which was a response to their desire to be like other nations.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/l/listening_to_the_people_vs._listening_to_god.htm">Listening to the People vs. Listening to God</a></b><br>Samuel listened to the people's request for a king, but he also sought God's guidance. In our lives, we must balance listening to others with seeking God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_conformity.htm">The Consequences of Conformity</a></b><br>Israel's desire to be like other nations led them to request a king. As Christians, we should be cautious about conforming to worldly standards instead of following God's unique plan for us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/leadership_and_responsibility.htm">Leadership and Responsibility</a></b><br>Samuel's role in anointing a king shows the weight of leadership and the responsibility to guide others according to God's direction. Leaders today should seek to align their decisions with God's will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_human_choices.htm">God's Sovereignty in Human Choices</a></b><br>Even when Israel's request for a king was not God's perfect will, He worked through their decision to fulfill His purposes. This reminds us that God can use our choices, even when they are not ideal, for His greater plan.<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/why_does_1_samuel_12_both_favor_and_condemn_israel's_monarchy.htm">Why does 1 Samuel 12 suggest divine favor for Israel's kingly institution while also condemning it as sinful?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_of_samuel's_leadership.htm">Is there any archaeological evidence confirming Samuel's leadership or the transition he describes in 1 Samuel 12?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_1_sam_12_14-15_contradict_deut_17.htm">Why does Samuel's speech in 1 Samuel 12:14-15 seem at odds with earlier promises of a king in Deuteronomy 17:14-20?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_king_hiram_honor_israel's_god.htm">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?</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>(1) <span class= "bld">And Samuel said unto all Israel.</span>--We believe we possess in this section of our history, in the report the compiler of these memoirs has given us of the dialogue between the judge Samuel and the elders of Israel at the solemn assembly of Gilgal, many of the very words spoken on this momentous occasion by the old man. It is doubtless a true and detailed account of all that took place on that day--the real inauguration of the earthly monarchy; that great change in the life of Israel which became of vast importance in the succeeding generations. In such a recital the words used by that grand old man, who belonged both to the old order of things and to the new, who was the link between the judges and the kings--the link which joined men like Eleazar, the grandson of Aaron, Gideon, and Jephthah, heroes half-veiled in the mists which so quickly gather round an unlettered past, with men like David and Solomon, round whose lives no mist will ever gather--the words used by that old man, who, according to the cherished tradition in Israel, was the accredited minister of the invisible King when the Eternal made over the sovereignty to Saul, would surely be treasured up with a jealous care. This gives an especial and peculiar interest to the present chapter, which contains the summary of the proceedings of the Gilgal assembly. The old judge Samuel, with the hero-king Saul standing by his side, presents the king to the people of the Lord under the title of the "Anointed of the Eternal," and then in a few pathetic words speaks first of his own pure and upright past. The elders reply to his moving words. Then he rehearses the glorious acts of the Eternal King, and repeats how He, over and over again, delivered the people from the miseries into which their own sins had plunged them; and yet, in full memory of all this, says the indignant old man, "in the place of this invisible Ruler, so full of mercy and pity, you asked for an earthly king. The Lord has granted your petition now. Behold your king !" pointing to Saul at his side.--The old man continues: "Even after your ingratitude to the true King, still He will be with you and the man He has chosen for you, if only you and he are obedient to the old well-known Divine commandments." At this juncture Samuel strengthens his argument by invoking a sign from heaven. Awe-struck and appalled, the assembled elders, confessing their sin, ask for Samuel's prayers. The old prophet closes the solemn scene with a promise that his intercession for king and people shall never cease.<p><span class= "bld">Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you.</span>--This should be compared with <a href="/1_samuel/8-7.htm" title="And the LORD said to Samuel, Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you: for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.">1Samuel 8:7</a>; <a href="/context/1_samuel/8-19.htm" title="Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, No; but we will have a king over us;">1Samuel 8:19-20</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/8-22.htm" title="And the LORD said to Samuel, Listen to their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said to the men of Israel, Go you every man to his city.">1Samuel 8:22</a>, where the proceedings of the deputation of the people to Samuel at Ramah are related at length. Their wishes expressed on that public occasion had been scrupulously carried out by him. He would now say a few words respecting the past, as regards his (Samuel's) administration, would ask the assembled elders of the nation a few grave questions, and then would leave them with their king. The account, as we possess it, of these proceedings at Gilgal on the occasion of the national reception of Saul as king, is in the form of a dialogue between the prophet Samuel and the elders of the people.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 1.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">I have hearkened unto your voice.</span> See <a href="/1_samuel/8-7.htm">1 Samuel 8:7, 9, 22</a>. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/12-1.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">Then Samuel</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁמוּאֵל֙</span> <span class="translit">(šə·mū·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8050.htm">Strong's 8050: </a> </span><span class="str2">Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֤אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Israel,</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“I have listened</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁמַ֣עְתִּי</span> <span class="translit">(šā·ma‘·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to your voice</span><br /><span class="heb">בְקֹֽלְכֶ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·qō·lə·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6963.htm">Strong's 6963: </a> </span><span class="str2">A voice, sound</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in all</span><br /><span class="heb">לְכֹ֥ל</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḵōl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that you have said</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲמַרְתֶּ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·mar·tem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to me,</span><br /><span class="heb">לִ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(lî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">and I have set</span><br /><span class="heb">וָאַמְלִ֥יךְ</span> <span class="translit">(wā·’am·lîḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4427.htm">Strong's 4427: </a> </span><span class="str2">To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">over you</span><br /><span class="heb">עֲלֵיכֶ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(‘ă·lê·ḵem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | second person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a king.</span><br /><span class="heb">מֶֽלֶךְ׃</span> <span class="translit">(me·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/12-1.htm">1 Samuel 12:1 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/12-1.htm">1 Samuel 12:1 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/12-1.htm">1 Samuel 12:1 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/12-1.htm">1 Samuel 12:1 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/12-1.htm">1 Samuel 12:1 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/12-1.htm">1 Samuel 12:1 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/12-1.htm">1 Samuel 12:1 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/12-1.htm">1 Samuel 12:1 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/12-1.htm">1 Samuel 12:1 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/12-1.htm">1 Samuel 12:1 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/12-1.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 12:1 Samuel said to all Israel Behold (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/11-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 11:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 11:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/12-2.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 12:2"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 12:2" /></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>