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.

1 SAMUEL 12:19KJV
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1 Samuel 12:19 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 12:19 mean?

1 Samuel 12:19 describes how the people of Israel, realizing their guilt, ask the prophet Samuel to pray to the LORD on their behalf so that they will not die, because they recognize that asking for a king was an added sin on top of their previous wrongdoings. The people openly admit their mistake and fear the consequences from God, turning to Samuel as an intercessor.

In this scene, the people are speaking directly to Samuel after he confronts them about their demand for a king. They call themselves "servants" and plead for Samuel to pray for them, showing both humility and fear. Their request comes after witnessing a sign from God (a thunderstorm during harvest), which made them realize the seriousness of their actions in asking for a human king instead of trusting God to lead them.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 12:19

  • "Pray" (פָּלַל, palal) means to intercede or make supplication. The people are not just asking Samuel to say a prayer, but to stand between them and God, highlighting their sense of unworthiness and need for a mediator.
  • "Added" (יָסַף, yasaf) means to increase or add to something. The people recognize that asking for a king was not their only sin, but an additional wrong on top of many others.
  • "Evil" (רָעָה, ra‘ah) is a strong word for something morally wrong or harmful. The people see their request for a king as not just a mistake, but a serious offense against God.
  • "Ask" (שָׁאַל, sha’al) means to request or demand. The word here emphasizes that the people actively sought a king, showing their responsibility in the matter.

Why 1 Samuel 12:19 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the people understood the gravity of their request for a king, seeing it as a sin rather than just a political decision.
  • It shows the role of Samuel as an intercessor, which helps explain the relationship between prophets, the people, and God in Israel’s history.
  • The verse connects to the larger theme of 1 Samuel 12, where Samuel urges the people to remain faithful to God even under a human king, and highlights the seriousness of turning away from God’s leadership.