1 Samuel 12 7

1 Samuel 12:7 kjv

Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of all the righteous acts of the LORD, which he did to you and to your fathers.

1 Samuel 12:7 nkjv

Now therefore, stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD concerning all the righteous acts of the LORD which He did to you and your fathers:

1 Samuel 12:7 niv

Now then, stand here, because I am going to confront you with evidence before the LORD as to all the righteous acts performed by the LORD for you and your ancestors.

1 Samuel 12:7 esv

Now therefore stand still that I may plead with you before the LORD concerning all the righteous deeds of the LORD that he performed for you and for your fathers.

1 Samuel 12:7 nlt

Now stand here quietly before the LORD as I remind you of all the great things the LORD has done for you and your ancestors.

1 Samuel 12 verses

1 Samuel 12 7 Meaning

In 1 Samuel 12:7, Samuel calls the people of Israel to an urgent, formal encounter before the Lord. He commands them to halt and pay close attention so that he may present God's "case" or "dispute" against them. This reasoning will center on reminding them of the numerous "righteous acts" — divine, just, and faithful interventions — which the Lord has continuously performed, not only for their generation but also for their ancestors, establishing God's unwavering faithfulness as a stark contrast to Israel's pattern of rebellion and their recent rejection of His direct rule by demanding a human king.

1 Samuel 12 7 Context

1 Samuel 12:7 is part of Samuel's poignant farewell address to Israel at Gilgal, following Saul's coronation. Having transitioned Israel to a monarchy, Samuel first vindicates his own righteous conduct as their judge and leader (1 Sam 12:1-5). He then shifts focus dramatically, moving into a powerful "covenant lawsuit" (Hebrew: rib), challenging Israel's choice of a king by reminding them of God's constant faithfulness contrasted with their recurring disloyalty. The historical context is a pivotal moment: Israel has demanded a human king, effectively rejecting God as their sole monarch (1 Sam 8:7), mimicking the surrounding nations. Samuel uses this verse to prepare them to confront the gravity of their actions by presenting God's undeniable historical "righteous acts" towards them and their ancestors, thereby establishing the unreasonableness and sinfulness of their desire for a king. It's an indictment against their forgetfulness and ingratitude.

1 Samuel 12 7 Word analysis

• Now therefore, stand still,

  • "Now therefore" (וְעַתָּה, ve'attah): A connective phrase used to introduce a critical logical consequence or call to action, building upon previous statements (1 Sam 12:6, where Samuel identifies the Lord as the one who brought Israel from Egypt). It signals a crucial transition from past divine actions to a present demand for attention and reflection.
  • "stand still" (הִתְיַצְּבוּ, hityatzvu): This imperative verb comes from the root נצב (natsav), meaning to take one's stand, present oneself, or position oneself firmly. In a legal or solemn context, it implies taking a respectful, attentive posture before an authority, or being ready to face an accusation. It evokes the seriousness of a courtroom setting, a legal or prophetic confrontation where a case will be presented. This echoes Exodus 14:13, where Israel is told to "stand still" and witness God's salvation.

• that I may reason with you

  • "reason with you" (וְאֶתְוַכְּחָה אִתְּכֶם, v'etvakkekhah ittkem): Derived from the root יכח (yakach), this word implies more than just a friendly discussion. It carries connotations of arguing, pleading, reproving, correcting, arbitrating, or proving guilt. This is the technical term for the divine "covenant lawsuit" (rib) found frequently in the Prophets (e.g., Isa 1:18, Mic 6:2). Samuel, acting as God's representative, is presenting God's legal charges against His people for their unfaithfulness and seeking their conviction and repentance.

• before the LORD

  • "before the LORD" (לִפְנֵי יְהוָה, lifnei Yahweh): This phrase emphasizes the solemn, sacred nature of the impending dispute. It signifies that the Lord Himself is present, acting as the ultimate judge and witness. All proceedings are conducted under His direct authority and scrutiny. This is not a mere human confrontation but a divine one, where Israel is held accountable to their covenant relationship with Yahweh, the God who saves and keeps covenant.

• concerning all the righteous acts

  • "concerning all the righteous acts" (אֵת כָּל־צִדְקוֹת יְהוָה, et kol-tsidqot Yahweh): The term צדקות (tsidqot), the plural of צדקה (tsedakah), refers to God's righteous deeds, just acts, or saving interventions that uphold His covenant loyalty. It doesn't refer to abstract righteousness but concrete, historical actions through which God demonstrated His justice, fidelity, and beneficence. Samuel is reminding Israel that every saving act—from the Exodus to their current stability—was an expression of God's unwavering covenant righteousness, proving His unwavering commitment despite their failings.

• which He did to you and to your fathers.

  • "which He did" (אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה, asher asah): Points to the tangible, verifiable historical record of God's active involvement in their lives and the lives of previous generations. These are not just words but historical realities.
  • "to you and to your fathers" (עִמָּכֶם וְעִם־אֲבוֹתֵיכֶם, immakhem ve'im-avoteikhem): This stresses the continuity of God's faithfulness across generations, linking the present generation's experience directly to the patriarchal and Exodus generations. It emphasizes that Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh is historical and communal, not just individual. It underscores God's persistent grace and unwavering commitment despite a repeated pattern of sin from "fathers" to "children."

1 Samuel 12 7 Bonus section

The scene in 1 Samuel 12:7 strikingly parallels the farewell address of Joshua in Joshua 24. Both figures, at the end of their leadership, gather Israel, remind them of Yahweh's powerful historical interventions and righteous acts on their behalf, and call them to renewed commitment or judgment. This establishes a prophetic precedent for holding the nation accountable to its covenant obligations before God. The emphasis on God's tsidqot (righteous acts/deeds) reinforces the biblical understanding that God's righteousness is not merely an abstract quality but is demonstrably revealed through His just and salvific actions in history.

1 Samuel 12 7 Commentary

In 1 Samuel 12:7, Samuel orchestrates a crucial theological confrontation. His command to "stand still" is not just for physical stillness but for mental and spiritual preparedness, akin to appearing in court. As God's prophet, he initiates a "covenant lawsuit," meticulously detailing God's unwavering "righteous acts" as historical evidence of His consistent faithfulness to Israel, spanning from their ancestors to their current generation. The phrase "before the LORD" underscores the absolute seriousness and divine authority of this proceeding, making it a sacred encounter where Israel is held directly accountable to their covenant God. By recounting these faithful deeds, Samuel seeks to expose the profound ingratitude and spiritual amnesia that led Israel to reject God's direct rule in favor of a human king, essentially arguing that their request for a king was not based on God's inadequacy, but on their own lack of faith in Him who had consistently delivered them.