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Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
12:1-25 Samuel's Address to Israel. The setting of this address is not clear. The sentence structure at the end of ch. 11 suggests a complete end of a section and therefore that ch. 12 begins a new section. The address was probably given on an occasion different from that in ch. 11. From now on, Samuel is no longer the judge of all Israel: the age of kingship has begun. But this is neither a retirement ceremony for Samuel nor his last public address; his authority as the prophet who gives the word of God to the king and people of Israel remains powerful (see 12:18), and he has one more king to anoint (ch. 16).
12:2 And now contrasts Saul as the king and Samuel as the judge. behold, the king walks before you. Saul has been ruling over the people for some time.
12:3-6 Samuel asks the people to testify to the integrity of his life as a judge, in contrast with that of his sons (see 8:3). It is a case between him and the people, argued with the Lord as witness. He is not asking for judgment on his life as a prophet, a matter between him and God. Whose ox have I taken? Samuel has not used his power or office as a means of personal enrichment (cf. notes on 8:3; 8:14-15).
12:7-12 Samuel turns to the relationship between the Lord and the people. His speech is similar to speeches by Joshua (Joshua 23-24) and Solomon (1 Kings 8:12-61).
12:14-15 Samuel concludes his official speech by summarizing his admonitions to the covenant people. Not only the people but also the king should be obedient to the Lord; no king in Israel is exempt from obeying the Lord's commandments.
12:21 Empty things (Hb. tohu) refers here to vain idols. An idol is "nothing"--a vacuous entity that gives the one who trusts in it only vanity or emptiness in return.
12:22 The Lord will not deal with his chosen people according to their wicked deeds (v. 25), but will treat them mercifully for his great name's sake. This is the biblical principle of divine saving grace or favor.
12:23 Praying (intercession) and instruction are two of Samuel's major roles as the prophet of the Lord, even after the inauguration of kingship.
