1 Samuel 12 14

1 Samuel 12:14 kjv

If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God:

1 Samuel 12:14 nkjv

If you 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.

1 Samuel 12:14 niv

If you fear the LORD and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the LORD your God?good!

1 Samuel 12:14 esv

If you will fear the LORD and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God, it will be well.

1 Samuel 12:14 nlt

"Now if you fear and worship the LORD and listen to his voice, and if you do not rebel against the LORD's commands, then both you and your king will show that you recognize the LORD as your God.

1 Samuel 12 verses

1 Samuel 12 14 Meaning

This verse presents a profound conditional promise from God to the newly crowned nation of Israel under King Saul. It declares that if the people, along with their king, collectively maintain reverent awe and submission to the LORD, serving Him faithfully, diligently obeying His every command, and refraining from rebellion against His instruction, then both the populace and the monarchy will continue to be blessed and sustained in their relationship with the LORD God. It underscores that their well-being and longevity as a nation are contingent upon their unbroken faithfulness and obedience to God's will.

1 Samuel 12 14 Context

1 Samuel chapter 12 details Samuel's farewell address to the Israelites as he formally concludes his judgeship and transfers authority to Saul, the newly appointed king. The nation had explicitly rejected God's direct rule, expressed through His appointed judges, by demanding a human king "like all the nations." Samuel had warned them about the burdens of monarchy but acceded to their demand as per God's instruction. In this chapter, Samuel calls the people to account, affirms his own integrity, recounts God's past faithfulness in delivering them, and crucially, outlines the terms of their continued relationship with God under this new governmental structure. Verse 14 is central to this discourse, presenting a clear covenantal restatement: God's blessing and their national security remain strictly conditional upon their collective and the king's individual obedience and loyalty to the LORD, regardless of who rules them physically. This pivotal moment emphasizes that even with a human king, Israel's true sovereign remains YHWH.

1 Samuel 12 14 Word analysis

• If (אִם – 'im): This is a conditional particle, introducing a clause that states a condition. It immediately sets up a clear cause-and-effect relationship, indicating that the future prosperity and stability of the nation are not guaranteed but depend entirely on their actions.
• you will fear (תִירְאוּ – tir'u): From the root yare' (ירא). It signifies much more than mere dread; it denotes profound reverence, awe, and worshipful respect that leads to obedient submission. It encapsulates acknowledging God's absolute power and authority, prompting a desire to please Him and avoid His displeasure.
• the LORD (יְהוָה – YHWH): The covenant name of God, indicating His personal and self-revealed nature as the ever-present, faithful God who made a covenant with Israel. It emphasizes that it is specifically the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to whom they must be loyal.
• and serve (וַעֲבַדְתֶּם – va'avadtem): From the root 'avad (עבד). It means to work for, minister to, or serve, and implies submission and obedience. In a spiritual sense, it denotes active, devoted, and often laborious obedience to God's will, encompassing all aspects of life.
• and obey his voice (וּשְׁמַעְתֶּם בְּקֹלֹו – u-shma'tem b'qolo): Shama' (שמע) means to hear, listen, and, importantly, to obey. B'qolo means "in his voice." This phrase emphasizes attentive listening that results in practical compliance. It highlights the importance of adhering to God's specific commands as they are communicated.
• and not rebel (וְלֹא תַמְרוּ – v'lo tamru): Tamru comes from marah (מרה), meaning to be rebellious, disobedient, or contentious. The negative "not" (לא) strongly warns against active opposition, stubbornness, or defiance against God's known will, which would be a breaking of the covenant.
• against the commandment (אֶת־פִּי – et pi): Literally "the mouth" or "the word of the mouth" of the LORD. It refers to God's spoken commands, His divine instruction, law, or directive, which holds ultimate authority. It represents the entirety of His revealed will.
• of the LORD (יְהוָה – YHWH): Again, emphasizes the source of the command.
• then (וְהָיְתָה – v'hayetah): Introduces the consequence, the positive outcome if the conditions are met.
• both you (גַּם־אַתֶּם – gam attem): "You" (אתם) is plural, referring to the entire congregation, all the people of Israel. "Both" (gam) links the people directly with the king, showing their intertwined destiny.
• and the king (וְגַם הַמֶּלֶךְ – v'gam hammelekh): The newly instituted human ruler (melekh) whom they requested. This signifies that even the king is under the authority of God and subject to the same divine conditions for success.
• who reigns over you (אֲשֶׁר מָלַךְ עֲלֵיכֶם – asher malakh 'alekem): Identifies the specific ruler (Saul at this time), emphasizing that even their chosen leader operates under divine jurisdiction.
• will continue following (אֲחֲרֵי – 'akharei): Literally "after" or "behind." In this context, it implies continuous adherence, loyalty, and following in a way that remains steadfast and persistent. It's about a continuous orientation towards God.
• the LORD your God (יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם – YHWH Eloheykem): Reiterates God's covenant name and identifies Him as "your God," emphasizing the personal and particular relationship He has with Israel.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "If you will fear the LORD and serve him and obey his voice": This tripartite expression defines the core of biblical obedience: reverence (fear), devoted action (serve), and responsive compliance (obey His voice). It signifies a complete submission of one's inner being and outer actions to God's will. It points to a relational covenant rather than mere legalism.
• "and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD": This adds a crucial negative injunction, forbidding active defiance or stubbornness. It highlights that compliance must be wholehearted and not begrudging or rebellious in spirit. Rebellion is the antithesis of covenant faithfulness and breaks the bond.
• "then both you and the king who reigns over you will continue following the LORD your God": This demonstrates the direct consequence of obedience, framing it as an ongoing, blessed relationship ("continue following"). Importantly, it unifies the destiny of the people and their monarch, indicating that the king's leadership, and thus the nation's stability, is equally dependent on covenant fidelity. The people's choices and the king's choices are interconnected in the divine economy. "Following the LORD your God" implies sustained divine presence, guidance, and favor, which were critical for a young monarchy surrounded by hostile nations.

1 Samuel 12 14 Bonus section

This verse subtly reiterates God's ongoing call to a covenant relationship, despite Israel's deviation from direct theocracy. It suggests that even the introduction of a king, a human institution, does not negate or alter God's primary expectation for His people. Instead, the king himself becomes an additional figure who must also adhere to God's laws, integrating the monarchy into the existing covenant framework. This establishes a precedent for kingship in Israel where the king is never above God's law, a concept unique compared to surrounding monarchies where the king was often considered divine or semi-divine. It sets the stage for the recurring prophetic critiques of future kings who fail to live up to this divine standard.

1 Samuel 12 14 Commentary

1 Samuel 12:14 is a cornerstone verse in Samuel's prophetic address, directly confronting Israel's decision to adopt a monarchy. While God had reluctantly granted their request for a king, this verse clarifies that their change in political structure did not alter God's fundamental expectation: His ultimate sovereignty remained. The fate of the nation and its new king would not hinge on their human king's strength or cunning, but solely on their collective and individual commitment to Yahweh. The four-fold emphasis on fearing, serving, obeying, and not rebelling outlines the non-negotiable terms of the ongoing covenant.

This verse serves as both a conditional promise and a warning. It is a promise of sustained favor, protection, and blessing if they remain faithful, ensuring that God's presence "continues after" them, leading and sustaining them. Conversely, it implies a clear warning of divine judgment and withdrawal of favor if they deviate from this path, as illustrated repeatedly throughout Israel's subsequent history (e.g., King Saul's downfall, the divided kingdom). The linkage between the people and the king highlights shared responsibility and a national destiny tied to divine principles. It implicitly establishes the theological truth that even human authority operates under the higher authority of God and is accountable to Him. The prosperity of a nation under God's covenant always rests upon its alignment with His commands.