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:

1 SAMUEL 12:23KJV
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1 Samuel 12:23 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 12:23 mean?

In 1 Samuel 12:23, Samuel tells the people of Israel that he regards praying for them as a responsibility before the LORD. He also promises to guide them in the good and right way, even as they now have a king.

Samuel speaks after the people have asked him to pray for them in verse 19. His words join prayer with teaching: he will speak to the LORD on their behalf and speak to the people about the way they should live.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 12:23

  • “forbid” — חָלִילָה (ḥalilah): This word expresses strong rejection, something like “far be it.” Samuel uses it to reject the thought of stopping his prayers.
  • “teach” — יָרָה (yarah): This word can carry the sense of directing or showing. Samuel presents his teaching as guidance along a path.
  • “right” — יָשָׁר (yashar): This word often means “straight” or “upright.” Alongside “way,” it pictures a course that does not turn aside from what is right.

Why 1 Samuel 12:23 matters

  • Samuel calls stopping prayer a wrong against the LORD. His words “sin against the LORD” show that he sees this responsibility as more than a promise made to the people.
  • Samuel’s guidance has a clear subject. In the next verse, he tells the people to honor and serve the LORD, and to consider what the LORD has done for them.
  • The new king does not make Samuel’s role disappear. His promise to teach shows that he still expects to speak to the people after Saul has become king.

Where else these words appear

“me” Hebrew H595 · used in 3 verses

  • Genesis 3:10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
  • Genesis 18:27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:

“forbid” Hebrew H2486 · used in 19 verses

  • Genesis 18:25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
  • 1 Samuel 14:45 And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not.
  • 2 Samuel 20:20 And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy.

“ceasing” Hebrew H2308 · used in 56 verses

  • Genesis 11:8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
  • Ruth 1:18 When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.
  • Job 19:14 My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me.

“teach” Hebrew H3384 · used in 75 verses

  • Genesis 31:51 And Laban said to Jacob, Behold this heap, and behold this pillar, which I have cast betwixt me and thee;
  • 1 Kings 8:36 Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.
  • Psalms 45:4 And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.