Samuel's Farewell Address

1 Samuel 12

1 Now Samuel said to all Israel: "Indeed I have 1 heeded a your voice in all that you said to me, and b have made a king over you. 2 "And now here is the king, c walking before you; d and I am old and grayheaded, and look, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my childhood to this day. 3 "Here I am. Witness against me before the LORD and before e His anointed: f Whose ox have I taken, or whose donkey have I taken, or whom have I cheated? Whom have I oppressed, or from whose hand have I received any g bribe with which to h blind my eyes? I will restore it to you." 4 And they said, i "You have not cheated us or oppressed us, nor have you taken anything from any man's hand." 5 Then he said to them, "The LORD is witness against you, and His anointed is witness this day, j that you have not found anything k in my hand." And they answered, "He is witness."

6 Then Samuel said to the people, l "It is the LORD who raised up Moses and Aaron, and who brought your fathers up from the land of Egypt. 7 "Now therefore, stand still, that I may m reason with you before the LORD concerning all the n righteous acts of the LORD which He did to you and your fathers: 8 o "When Jacob had gone into 2 Egypt, and your fathers p cried out to the LORD, then the LORD q sent Moses and Aaron, who brought your fathers out of Egypt and made them dwell in this place. 9 "And when they r forgot the LORD their God, He sold them into the hand of s Sisera, commander of the army of Hazor, into the hand of the t Philistines, and into the hand of the king of u Moab; and they fought against them. 10 "Then they cried out to the LORD, and said, v 'We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD w and served the Baals and 3 Ashtoreths; 4 but now deliver us from the hand of our enemies, and we will serve You.' 11 "And the LORD sent 5 Jerubbaal, 6 Bedan, x Jephthah, and y Samuel, 7 and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side; and you dwelt in safety. 12 "And when you saw that z Nahash king of the Ammonites came against you, a you said to me, 'No, but a king shall reign over us,' when b the LORD your God was your king. 13 "Now therefore, c here is the king d whom you have chosen and whom you have desired. And take note, e the LORD has set a king over you. 14 "If you f fear the LORD and serve Him and obey His voice, and do not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then both you and the king who reigns over you will continue following the LORD your God. 15 "However, if you do g not obey the voice of the LORD, but h rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then the hand of the LORD will be against you, as it was against your fathers. 16 "Now therefore, i stand and see this great thing which the LORD will do before your eyes: 17 "Is today not the j wheat harvest? k I will call to the LORD, and He will send thunder and l rain, that you may perceive and see that m your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking a king for yourselves." 18 So Samuel called to the LORD, and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day; and n all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.

19 And all the people said to Samuel, o "Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we may not die; for we have added to all our sins the evil of asking a king for ourselves." 20 Then Samuel said to the people, "Do not fear. You have done all this wickedness; p yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. 21 "And q do not turn aside; r for then you would go after empty things which cannot profit or deliver, for they are nothing. 22 "For s the LORD will not forsake t His people, u for His great name's sake, because v it has pleased the LORD to make you His people. 23 "Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD w in ceasing to pray for you; but x I will teach you the y good and the right way. 24 z "Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for a consider what b great things He has done for you. 25 "But if you still do wickedly, c you shall be swept away, d both you and your king."

  1. Cross References
    Joshua 8:31
    As Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the Book of the Law of Moses: "an altar of whole stones over which no man has wielded an iron tool." And they offered on it burnt offerings to the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.
    1 Samuel 10:8
    "You shall go down before me to Gilgal; and surely I will come down to you to offer burnt offerings and make sacrifices of peace offerings. Seven days you shall wait, till I come to you and show you what you should do."
  2. Cross References
    1 Samuel 8:5
    And said to him, "Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
    1 Samuel 8:7
    And the LORD said to Samuel, "Heed 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.
    1 Samuel 8:9
    "Now therefore, heed their voice. However, you shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the king who will reign over them."
    1 Samuel 8:20
    "that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles."
    1 Samuel 8:22
    So the LORD said to Samuel, "Heed their voice, and make them a king." And Samuel said to the men of Israel, "Every man go to his city.
  3. Cross References
    1 Samuel 10:24
    And Samuel said to all the people, "Do you see him whom the LORD has chosen, that there is no one like him among all the people?" So all the people shouted and said, "Long live the king!
    1 Samuel 11:14
    Then Samuel said to the people, "Come, let us go to Gilgal and renew the kingdom there.
    1 Samuel 11:15
    So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal. There they made sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD, and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.
  4. Cross References
    Numbers 27:17
    "who may go out before them and go in before them, who may lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the LORD may not be like sheep which have no shepherd."
    1 Samuel 8:20
    "that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles."
  5. Cross References
    1 Samuel 8:1
    Now it came to pass when Samuel was old that he made his sons judges over Israel.
    1 Samuel 8:5
    And said to him, "Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
  6. Cross References
    1 Samuel 10:1
    Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head, and kissed him and said: " Is it not because the LORD has anointed you commander over His inheritance?
    1 Samuel 24:6
    And he said to his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my master, the LORD's anointed, to stretch out my hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the LORD.
    2 Samuel 1:14
    So David said to him, "How was it you were not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?
    2 Samuel 1:16
    So David said to him, "Your blood is on your own head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, 'I have killed the LORD's anointed.'
  7. Cross References
    Numbers 16:15
    Then Moses was very angry, and said to the LORD, "Do not respect their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, nor have I hurt one of them.
    Acts 20:33
    I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.
    1 Thessalonians 2:5
    For neither at any time did we use flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak for covetousness - God is witness.
  8. Cross References
    Exodus 23:8
    And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning and perverts the words of the righteous.
  9. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 16:19
    You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.
  10. Cross References
    Leviticus 19:13
    You shall not cheat your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of him who is hired shall not remain with you all night until morning.
  11. Cross References
    John 18:38
    Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, "I find no fault in Him at all.
    Acts 23:9
    Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees' party arose and protested, saying, "We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.
    Acts 24:20
    Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council.
  12. Cross References
    Exodus 22:4
    If the theft is certainly found alive in his hand, whether it is an ox or donkey or sheep, he shall restore double.
  13. Cross References
    Exodus 6:26
    These are the same Aaron and Moses to whom the LORD said, "Bring out the children of Israel from the land of Egypt according to their armies.
    Micah 6:4
    For I brought you up from the land of Egypt, I redeemed you from the house of bondage; And I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
  14. Cross References
    Isaiah 1:18
    Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.
    Ezekiel 20:35
    And I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will plead My case with you face to face.
    Micah 6:1 - 5
    Hear now what the LORD says: "Arise, plead your case before the mountains, And let the hills hear your voice.
  15. Cross References
    Judges 5:11
    Far from the noise of the archers, among the watering places, There they shall recount the righteous acts of the LORD, The righteous acts for His villagers in Israel; Then the people of the LORD shall go down to the gates.
    Psalms 103:6
    The LORD executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed.
  16. Cross References
    Genesis 46:5
    Then Jacob arose from Beersheba; and the sons of Israel carried their father Jacob, their little ones, and their wives, in the carts which Pharaoh had sent to carry him.
    Genesis 46:6
    So they took their livestock and their goods, which they had acquired in the land of Canaan, and went to Egypt, Jacob and all his descendants with him.
    Psalms 105:23
    Israel also came into Egypt, And Jacob dwelt in the land of Ham.
  17. Cross References
    Exodus 2:23 - 25
    Now it happened in the process of time that the king of Egypt died. Then the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to God because of the bondage.
  18. Cross References
    Exodus 3:10
    "Come now, therefore, and I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring My people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt."
    Exodus 4:14 - 16
    So the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and He said: "Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And look, he is also coming out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart.
  19. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 32:18
    Of the Rock who begot you, you are unmindful, And have forgotten the God who fathered you.
    Judges 3:7
    So the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD. They forgot the LORD their God, and served the Baals and Asherahs.
  20. Cross References
    Judges 4:2
    So the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who dwelt in Harosheth Hagoyim.
  21. Cross References
    Judges 3:31
    After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who killed six hundred men of the Philistines with an ox goad; and he also delivered Israel.
    Judges 10:7
    So the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and He sold them into the hands of the Philistines and into the hands of the people of Ammon.
    Judges 13:1
    Again the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years.
  22. Cross References
    Judges 3:12 - 30
    And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD. So the LORD strengthened Eglon king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD.
  23. Cross References
    Judges 10:10
    And the children of Israel cried out to the LORD, saying, "We have sinned against You, because we have both forsaken our God and served the Baals!
  24. Cross References
    Judges 2:13
    They forsook the LORD and served Baal and the Ashtoreths.
    Judges 3:7
    So the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD. They forgot the LORD their God, and served the Baals and Asherahs.
  25. Cross References
    Judges 11:1
    Now Jephthah the Gileadite was a mighty man of valor, but he was the son of a harlot; and Gilead begot Jephthah.
  26. Cross References
    1 Samuel 7:13
    So the Philistines were subdued, and they did not come anymore into the territory of Israel. And the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.
  27. Cross References
    1 Samuel 11:1
    Then Nahash the Ammonite came up and encamped against Jabesh Gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, "Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you.
    1 Samuel 11:2
    And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, "On this condition I will make a covenant with you, that I may put out all your right eyes, and bring reproach on all Israel.
  28. Cross References
    1 Samuel 8:5
    And said to him, "Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
    1 Samuel 8:19
    Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, "No, but we will have a king over us.
    1 Samuel 8:20
    "that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles."
  29. Cross References
    Judges 8:23
    But Gideon said to them, "I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the LORD shall rule over you.
    1 Samuel 8:7
    And the LORD said to Samuel, "Heed 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.
    Psalms 59:13
    Consume them in wrath, consume them, That they may not be; And let them know that God rules in Jacob To the ends of the earth. Selah
  30. Cross References
    1 Samuel 10:24
    And Samuel said to all the people, "Do you see him whom the LORD has chosen, that there is no one like him among all the people?" So all the people shouted and said, "Long live the king!
  31. Cross References
    1 Samuel 8:5
    And said to him, "Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
    1 Samuel 12:17
    " Is today not the wheat harvest? I will call to the LORD, and He will send thunder and rain, that you may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which you have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking a king for yourselves."
    1 Samuel 12:19
    And all the people said to Samuel, "Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we may not die; for we have added to all our sins the evil of asking a king for ourselves.
  32. Cross References
    Hosea 13:11
    I gave you a king in My anger, And took him away in My wrath.
  33. Cross References
    Joshua 24:14
    Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD!
  34. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 28:15
    But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:
  35. Cross References
    Leviticus 26:14
    But if you do not obey Me, and do not observe all these commandments.
    Leviticus 26:15
    And if you despise My statutes, or if your soul abhors My judgments, so that you do not perform all My commandments, but break My covenant.
    Joshua 24:20
    "If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you, after He has done you good."
    Isaiah 1:20
    But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword"; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
  36. Cross References
    Exodus 14:13
    And Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see again no more forever.
    Exodus 14:31
    Thus Israel saw the great work which the LORD had done in Egypt; so the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD and His servant Moses.
  37. Cross References
    Genesis 30:14
    Now Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, "Please give me some of your son's mandrakes.
  38. Cross References
    Joshua 10:12
    Then Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel: "Sun, stand still over Gibeon; And Moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.
    1 Samuel 7:9
    And Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. Then Samuel cried out to the LORD for Israel, and the LORD answered him.
    1 Samuel 7:10
    Now as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel. But the LORD thundered with a loud thunder upon the Philistines that day, and so confused them that they were overcome before Israel.
    James 5:16 - 18
    Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
  39. Cross References
    Ezra 10:9
    So all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered at Jerusalem within three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth of the month; and all the people sat in the open square of the house of God, trembling because of this matter and because of heavy rain.
  40. Cross References
    1 Samuel 8:7
    And the LORD said to Samuel, "Heed 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.
  41. Cross References
    Exodus 14:31
    Thus Israel saw the great work which the LORD had done in Egypt; so the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD and His servant Moses.
  42. Cross References
    Exodus 9:28
    "Entreat the LORD, that there may be no more mighty thundering and hail, for it is enough. I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer."
    1 Samuel 7:8
    So the children of Israel said to Samuel, "Do not cease to cry out to the LORD our God for us, that He may save us from the hand of the Philistines.
    James 5:15
    And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
    1 John 5:16
    If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that.
  43. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 11:16
    Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them.
  44. Cross References
    2 Chronicles 25:15
    Therefore the anger of the LORD was aroused against Amaziah, and He sent him a prophet who said to him, "Why have you sought the gods of the people, which could not rescue their own people from your hand?
  45. Cross References
    Isaiah 41:29
    Indeed they are all worthless; Their works are nothing; Their molded images are wind and confusion.
    Jeremiah 16:19
    O LORD, my strength and my fortress, My refuge in the day of affliction, The Gentiles shall come to You From the ends of the earth and say, "Surely our fathers have inherited lies, Worthlessness and unprofitable things.
    Habakkuk 2:18
    What profit is the image, that its maker should carve it, The molded image, a teacher of lies, That the maker of its mold should trust in it, To make mute idols?
    1 Corinthians 8:4
    Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.
  46. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 31:6
    "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you."
    1 Kings 6:13
    "And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake My people Israel."
  47. Cross References
    Isaiah 43:21
    This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise.
  48. Cross References
    Exodus 32:12
    Why should the Egyptians speak, and say, 'He brought them out to harm them, to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth'? Turn from Your fierce wrath, and relent from this harm to Your people.
    Numbers 14:13
    And Moses said to the LORD: "Then the Egyptians will hear it, for by Your might You brought these people up from among them.
    Joshua 7:9
    "For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear it, and surround us, and cut off our name from the earth. Then what will You do for Your great name?"
    Psalms 106:8
    Nevertheless He saved them for His name's sake, That He might make His mighty power known.
    Jeremiah 14:21
    Do not abhor us, for Your name's sake; Do not disgrace the throne of Your glory. Remember, do not break Your covenant with us.
  49. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 7:6 - 11
    For you are a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth.
    1 Peter 2:9
    But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
  50. Cross References
    Acts 12:5
    Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.
    Romans 1:9
    For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers.
    Colossians 1:9
    For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.
    2 Timothy 1:3
    I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day.
  51. Cross References
    Psalms 34:11
    Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
    Proverbs 4:11
    I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths.
  52. Cross References
    1 Kings 8:36
    Then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk; and send rain on Your land which You have given to Your people as an inheritance.
  53. Cross References
    Ecclesiastes 12:13
    Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man's all.
  54. Cross References
    Isaiah 5:12
    The harp and the strings, The tambourine and flute, And wine are in their feasts; But they do not regard the work of the LORD, Nor consider the operation of His hands.
  55. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 10:21
    He is your praise, and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen.
  56. Cross References
    Joshua 24:20
    "If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you, after He has done you good."
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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