Above all, fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you. Above all, fear the LORDThe concept of fearing the LORD is central to the Old Testament, emphasizing reverence and awe towards God. This fear is not about terror but about recognizing God's holiness and authority. In the context of 1 Samuel, Israel had just demanded a king, and Samuel reminds them that their ultimate allegiance should be to God, not a human leader. This phrase echoes Proverbs 1:7, where the fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, highlighting its foundational importance in a believer's life. and serve Him faithfully
Service to God is a recurring theme in the Bible, often linked with faithfulness. In the historical context, Israel was transitioning from a theocracy to a monarchy, and Samuel stresses the importance of remaining loyal to God despite political changes. Faithful service involves obedience and dedication, as seen in Deuteronomy 10:12, where serving God with all one's heart and soul is commanded. This service is not just ritualistic but involves a genuine commitment to God's will. with all your heart
The heart in biblical terms represents the center of one's being, including emotions, will, and intellect. Serving God with all one's heart implies total devotion and sincerity. This phrase connects to the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:5, where loving God with all one's heart, soul, and strength is commanded. It underscores the need for wholehearted commitment, not just outward compliance. consider what great things He has done for you
Reflecting on God's past deeds is a common biblical exhortation, encouraging gratitude and trust. For Israel, this included deliverance from Egypt, provision in the wilderness, and victories in Canaan. This reflection serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and power, encouraging continued reliance on Him. In a broader biblical context, it points to the ultimate act of salvation through Jesus Christ, who fulfills God's promises and demonstrates His love and power. Persons / Places / Events 1. SamuelThe last judge of Israel, a prophet, and a leader who anointed the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David. In this chapter, Samuel is addressing the Israelites, reminding them of their covenant with God. 2. IsraelitesThe people of Israel, who have just demanded a king to rule over them like other nations, despite God's desire to be their King. 3. SaulThe first king of Israel, recently anointed by Samuel, representing a shift from theocratic to monarchical leadership. 4. MizpahA significant location where Samuel gathered the Israelites to confirm Saul as king and where he delivered this farewell address. 5. Covenant RenewalThe event where Samuel calls the Israelites to renew their commitment to God, emphasizing obedience and faithfulness. Teaching Points Fear of the LordCultivate a reverent awe of God, recognizing His holiness and authority in your life. Faithful ServiceCommit to serving God with integrity and dedication, ensuring that your actions align with His will. Wholehearted DevotionEngage in a relationship with God that involves your entire being—mind, heart, and soul. Reflect on God's WorksRegularly meditate on the great things God has done in your life and in history, fostering gratitude and trust. Covenant CommitmentRenew your commitment to God, understanding that His faithfulness calls for our faithful response. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the concept of "fearing the Lord" influence your daily decisions and actions? 2. In what ways can you serve God more faithfully in your current circumstances? 3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's great works in your life. How does this reflection impact your faith today? 4. How can the example of Samuel's leadership and faithfulness inspire you in your own leadership roles? 5. What steps can you take to ensure that your devotion to God is wholehearted and not divided by worldly distractions? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 10:12-13This passage echoes the call to fear the Lord and serve Him with all one's heart, highlighting the continuity of God's expectations for His people. Joshua 24:14-15Joshua's exhortation to the Israelites to serve the Lord faithfully parallels Samuel's message, emphasizing the choice to serve God wholeheartedly. Psalm 111:2-4These verses celebrate the great works of the Lord, encouraging reflection on His deeds, similar to Samuel's call to consider what God has done. People Aaron, Ammonites, Barak, Bedan, Egyptians, Jabin, Jacob, Jephthah, Jerubbaal, Nahash, Samuel, SiseraPlaces Egypt, Gilgal, Hazor, MoabTopics Consider, Faithfully, Fear, Heart, Keeping, Mind, Servants, Serve, Served, TruthDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 12:24 5015 heart, and Holy Spirit
5191 thought
8208 commitment, to God
8251 faithfulness, to God
8334 reverence, and God's nature
8625 worship, acceptable attitudes
8662 meditation
8754 fear 1 Samuel 12:20-24 7734 leaders, spiritual Library Old Truth for a New Epoch
'Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the Lord hath set a king over yon. 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: 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 …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Whole Heart
LET me give the principal passages in which the words "the whole heart," "all the heart," are used. A careful study of them will show how wholehearted love and service is what God has always asked, because He can, in the very nature of things, ask nothing less. The prayerful and believing acceptance of the words will waken the assurance that such wholehearted love and service is exactly the blessing the New Covenant was meant to make possible. That assurance will prepare us for turning to the Omnipotence …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants The King after Man's Heart
'And Samuel called the people together unto the Lord to Mizpeh; 18. And said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms, and of them that oppressed you; 19. And ye have this day rejected your God, who Himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto Him, Nay, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Old Judge and the Young King
'Now the Lord had told Samuel In his ear a day before Saul came, saying, 16, To-morrow, about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over My people Israel, that he may save My people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon My people, because their cry is come unto Me. 17. And when Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over My people. 18. Then Saul drew …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Exposition of the Doctrines of Grace
? Perseverance of the Saints--"The Final Perseverance of Believers in Christ Jesus," by William O'Neill (message 5). The Rev. C. H. SPURGEON took the chair at 3 o'clock. The proceedings were commenced by singing the 21st Hymn-- Saved from the damning power of sin, The law's tremendous curse, We'll now the sacred song begin Where God began with us. We'll sing the vast unmeasured grace Which, from the days of old, Did all his chosen sons embrace, As sheep within the fold. The basis of eternal love …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 7: 1861 Restraining Prayer: is it Sin?
"Thou restrainest prayer before God."--JOB xv. 4. "What profit should we have, if we pray unto Him?"--JOB xxi. 15. "God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you."--1 SAM. xii. 23. "Neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you."--JOSH. vii. 12. Any deep quickening of the spiritual life of the Church will always be accompanied by a deeper sense of sin. This will not begin with theology; that can only give expression to what God works …
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession Twenty-Sixth Day for the Holy Spirit on Young Converts
WHAT TO PRAY.--For the Holy Spirit on Young Converts "Peter and John prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost; for as yet He was fallen upon none of them: only they had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus."--ACTS viii. 15, 16. "Now He which establisheth us with you in Christ, and anointed us, is God; who also gave us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts."--2 COR. i. 21, 22. How many new converts who remain feeble; how many who fall into sin; how many who backslide …
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession The Sick Person Ought Now to Send for Some Godly and Religious Pastor.
In any wise remember, if conveniently it may be, to send for some godly and religious pastor, not only to pray for thee at thy death--for God in such a case hath promised to hear the prayers of the righteous prophets, and elders of the church (Gen. xx. 7; Jer. xviii. 20; xv. 1; 1 Sam. xii. 19, 23; James v. 14, 15, 16)--but also upon thy unfeigned repentance to declare to thee the absolution of thy sins. For as Christ hath given him a calling to baptize thee unto repentance for the remission of thy …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Work of Jesus Christ as an Advocate,
CLEARLY EXPLAINED, AND LARGELY IMPROVED, FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL BELIEVERS. 1 John 2:1--"And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." By JOHN BUNYAN, Author of "The Pilgrim's Progress." London: Printed for Dorman Newman, at the King's Arms, in the Poultry, 1689. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This is one of the most interesting of Bunyan's treatises, to edit which required the Bible at my right hand, and a law dictionary on my left. It was very frequently republished; …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 A Cloud of Witnesses.
"By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was a-dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when his end was nigh, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.... By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been compassed about for seven days. By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with them that were disobedient, …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews The Lamb of God, the Great Atonement
Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world! G reat and marvellous are the works of the LORD God almighty! We live in the midst of them, and the little impression they make upon us, sufficiently proves our depravity. He is great in the very smallest; and there is not a plant, flower, or insect, but bears the signature of infinite wisdom and power. How sensibly then should we be affected by the consideration of the Whole , if sin had not blinded our understandings, and hardened …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Samuel 12:24 NIV1 Samuel 12:24 NLT1 Samuel 12:24 ESV1 Samuel 12:24 NASB1 Samuel 12:24 KJV
1 Samuel 12:24 Commentaries
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