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

1 SAMUEL 12:25KJV
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1 Samuel 12:25 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 12:25 mean?

1 Samuel 12:25 warns the people that if they continue to act wickedly, both they and their king will be destroyed. This verse clearly states that wrongdoing will bring serious consequences, not just for individuals but for the entire nation and its leader.

Samuel, the prophet, is speaking to the Israelites after they have asked for a king to rule over them. He reminds them that even with a king, they are still accountable to God. The warning is direct: their actions have real effects, and having a king does not protect them from the results of persistent wrongdoing.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 12:25

  • "still" and "wickedly" both come from רָעַע (ra‘a‘), which means "to act wickedly" or "to do evil." The repetition in Hebrew emphasizes ongoing or repeated wrongdoing, not just a single mistake.
  • "consumed" is from סָפָה (safah), meaning "to be swept away" or "destroyed." This word paints a picture of being completely removed or wiped out, showing the seriousness of the warning.
  • "king" is מֶלֶךְ (melekh), the standard Hebrew word for "king." The verse makes it clear that the consequences apply equally to the king and the people, stressing shared responsibility.

Why 1 Samuel 12:25 matters

  • This verse corrects any idea that having a king would shield Israel from judgment; both the people and their king are held to the same standard.
  • The warning ties back to the whole chapter, where Samuel urges the people to follow God faithfully even under a new political system.
  • The verse highlights that leadership does not remove personal or national responsibility before God, a theme that runs through the books of Samuel and Kings.

Where else these words appear

“consumed” Hebrew H5595 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 18:23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
  • Deuteronomy 29:19 And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:
  • Proverbs 13:23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.

“still” Hebrew H7489 · used in 80 verses

  • Genesis 19:7 And said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly.
  • 1 Chronicles 16:22 Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
  • Isaiah 1:16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;