1 Samuel 12 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

1 Samuel 12 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• Samuel was born in approximately 1100 B.C.

• Samuel lived until approximately 1012 B.C.

• Israel’s first king was appointed in approximately 1050 B.C.

CHARACTERS:

• Saul – God selected Saul to be the first king of Israel. He was from the tribe of Benjamin.

• Samuel – A prophet of God. He was Israel’s last significant judge.

• The Israelites – They sinned against God by asking for a king.

WHERE:

• At the end of 1 Samuel 11, after the battle with the Ammonites, the Israelites went to Gilgal to reaffirm Saul as king.

• Samuel’s address to the Israelites in 1 Samuel 12 appears to have been given in the same place, Gilgal.

OUTLINE:

• THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD AND HIS PROPHET SAMUEL (12:1-11):

  • Samuel addressed the people while they were gathered to celebrate Saul as king.

  • He reminded them how he had been a prophet and judge amongst them from his youth.

  • He asked them if anyone amongst them had an accusation of unrighteousness against him.

  • All the people confirmed that Samuel had never oppressed them, defrauded them, stolen from them, or taken a bribe.

  • Samuel had been appointed by God and he had not abused his office.

  • Samuel had been faithful to the people in his care, as had God.

  • Samuel reminded the people of God’s faithfulness to them.

  • God saved them from the Egyptian, gave them the land of Canaan, and sent them judges to care for their nation.

  • The only time the Israelites suffered was when they started ignoring God’s commands and worshipping false gods.

  • Even after extended periods of disobedience, God was always willing to forgive His people and send them judges to save them from their enemies.

• GOD’S DISPLEASURE WITH ISRAEL’S REQUEST FOR A KING (12:12-25):

  • Even though God had always been a good king, when the Ammonites threatened Israel (1 Sam 11), the Israelites demanded another king, a human king.

  • God permitted them to appoint a king, but He wasn’t happy with their betrayal and their misplacement of trust.

  • As a sign of His displeasure, God sent a storm of thunder and rain to Israel, which struck fear in the hearts of the people.

  • The people acknowledged their sin and asked Samuel to pray for them.

  • Samuel reassured them that, although God wasn’t happy with them, He would not abandon them.

  • “For the Lord will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for Himself” (12:22).

  • If they would serve the Lord and keep His commands, God would bless them and their king.

  • But if they turned away from God, their king would not save them from ruin.

APPLICATION:

• Take a deep introspective look at your own actions before blaming the “system” for your problems.

• The only time the Israelites got into trouble was when they disobeyed God.

• God’s system of government (God as king and the judges as His representatives) functioned perfectly.

• Unfortunately, the Israelites weren’t ready acknowledge they were the problem, not the system.