1 Samuel

Tells about Samuel, the last judge, and the beginning of Israel's monarchy with King Saul and young David.

Chapter 12

1 And Samuel said unto all Israel, Behold, I have hearkened unto your voice in all that ye said unto me, and have made a king over you.

*And Samuel told everyone in Israel, "I have listened to everything you asked me for, and I have chosen a king for you."

2 And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day.

*Now, look, the king is walking in front of you. I am old and have gray hair, and my children are with you. I have been with you from when I was young until now.

3 Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose ass have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes therewith? and I will restore it you.

*Look, here I am. I'm witnessing against myself before God and His chosen one. Have I ever taken someone's ox or donkey? Have I cheated or mistreated anyone? Have I accepted a bribe to turn a blind eye? If so, I will make it right.

4 And they said, Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of any man’s hand.

*They said, "You didn't cheat us or treat us badly, and you didn't take anything from anyone."

5 And he said unto them, The LORD is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that ye have not found ought in my hand. And they answered, He is witness.

*He said, "The Lord sees everything, and so does the chosen one. You couldn't find anything wrong with what I have done." They replied, "Yes, the Lord is a witness."

6 And Samuel said unto the people, It is the LORD that advanced Moses and Aaron, and that brought your fathers up out of the land of Egypt.

*And Samuel told the people, "God was the one who helped Moses and Aaron, and led your ancestors out of Egypt's land."

7 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.

*So wait here while I explain how the Lord has been fair to you and your ancestors.

8 When Jacob was come into Egypt, and your fathers cried unto the LORD, then the LORD sent Moses and Aaron, which brought forth your fathers out of Egypt, and made them dwell in this place.

*When Jacob arrived in Egypt, and your ancestors called on God, God sent Moses and Aaron to rescue them from Egypt and settle them in this land.

9 And when they forgat the LORD their God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them.

*When they forgot God, He let them be captured by Sisera, leader of the Hazor army, and also by the Philistines and the king of Moab, who fought against them.

10 And they cried unto the LORD, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee.

*They called to God and said, "We have done wrong because we left God and worshiped Baal and Ashtoreth. Now save us from our enemies, and we will follow you again."

11 And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe.

*And God sent helpers like Jerubbaal, Bedan, Jephthah, Samuel, who protected you from your enemies, so you could live safely.

12 And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the LORD your God was your king.

*When you noticed King Nahash of the Ammonites approaching, you told me, "No, we don't want that." Instead, we want a human ruler. But the LORD was already your true king.

13 Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you.

*Now, so look at the king you chose and wanted! And understand, the Lord has placed a king for you.

14 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:

*If you fear and obey God, listen to His voice, and don't disobey His commands, both you and your ruling king will continue to follow God.

15 But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers.

*But if you don't listen to God's voice and instead go against His commands, then God's hand will be against you, just like it was against your ancestors.

16 Now therefore stand and see this great thing, which the LORD will do before your eyes.

*So now, stand still and watch this amazing event that the Lord is going to do right in front of you.

17 Is it not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king.

*Isn't today the time for wheat harvest? I will call upon the Lord, and He will send thunder and rain to show you that your wrongdoing is significant, as you asked for a king while disobeying the Lord.

18 So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.

*So, Samuel asked God for help, and God sent thunder and rain on that day. Everyone was really scared of God and Samuel after that.

19 And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.

*And everyone told Samuel, please ask God to help us, your people, so we don't die. We made things worse by asking for a king in addition to our other wrongdoings.

20 And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart;

*And Samuel told the people, "Don't be afraid. You did some bad things, but don't leave God. Instead, wholeheartedly serve and follow God."

21 And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.

*Don't be distracted, because chasing worthless things won't help or save you; they're just empty and useless.

22 For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.

*The LORD won't abandon his people because of his important name. He chose them out of pleasure.

23 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:

*Additionally, I promise not to stop praying for you, and instead, I will guide you on the right path.

24 Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.

*Fear only God and truly serve Him with all your heart because think about all the amazing things He has done for you.

25 But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.

*But if you keep being bad, you and your leader will be destroyed.

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