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.

1 SAMUEL 12:9KJV
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1 Samuel 12:9 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 12:9 mean?

1 Samuel 12:9 describes how, when the Israelites forgot the LORD their God, God allowed them to fall under the control of their enemies—specifically Sisera, the Philistines, and the king of Moab—who fought against them. This verse shows a pattern where turning away from God led to hardship and oppression by foreign powers.

Samuel is speaking to the people of Israel, reminding them of their history during a public address. He points out that forgetting (or neglecting) the LORD (the personal name for God, often written as יהוה / YHWH) resulted in God "selling" them into the hands of their enemies, meaning God allowed these nations to overpower Israel as a consequence of their unfaithfulness.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 12:9

  • "forgat" (שָׁכַח / shakach, H7911): This word means to forget or neglect, and it often carries the sense of willful disregard, not just absent-mindedness. In this context, it highlights a turning away from God, not just a lapse in memory.
  • "sold" (מָכַר / makar, H4376): This verb means to sell, as in selling property or a person. Here, it is used figuratively to show that God gave Israel over to their enemies, as if handing them over into someone else's control.
  • "hand" (יָד / yad, H3027): Used several times, "hand" in Hebrew often symbolizes power or control. Being delivered into the "hand" of someone means being put under their authority or power.
  • "LORD" (יהוה / YHWH, H3068): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing a covenant relationship. The verse stresses that it was specifically their God whom they neglected.

Why 1 Samuel 12:9 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Israel's suffering under foreign powers was not random but directly connected to their spiritual choices, specifically forgetting or neglecting God.
  • The repeated mention of being given into the "hand" of different enemies emphasizes that these hardships came from God's deliberate action, not just political misfortune.
  • In the wider context, Samuel is urging the people to remember their history so they understand the importance of faithfulness to God, setting up his call for renewed commitment in the verses that follow.

Where else these words appear

“Hazor” Hebrew H2674 · used in 17 verses

  • Joshua 11:1 And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph,
  • Joshua 15:23 And Kedesh, and Hazor, and Ithnan,
  • 1 Kings 9:15 And this is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised; for to build the house of the LORD, and his own house, and Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer.

“Sisera” Hebrew H5516 · used in 19 verses

  • Judges 4:2 And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.
  • Judges 4:15 And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet.
  • Judges 5:26 She put her hand to the nail, and her right hand to the workmen's hammer; and with the hammer she smote Sisera, she smote off his head, when she had pierced and stricken through his temples.

“sold” Hebrew H4376 · used in 74 verses

  • Genesis 25:31 And Jacob said, Sell me this day thy birthright.
  • Leviticus 25:39 And if thy brother that dwelleth by thee be waxen poor, and be sold unto thee; thou shalt not compel him to serve as a bondservant:
  • Nehemiah 5:8 And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer.

“forgat” Hebrew H7911 · used in 95 verses

  • Genesis 27:45 Until thy brother's anger turn away from thee, and he forget that which thou hast done to him: then I will send, and fetch thee from thence: why should I be deprived also of you both in one day?
  • Psalms 31:12 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.
  • Proverbs 31:7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.