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1 Samuel 12:19

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 12:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto Jehovah thy God, that we die not; for we have added unto all our sins [this] evil, to ask us a king.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto Jehovah thy God, that we die not; for we have added unto all our sins [this] evil, to ask us a king.
1 Samuel 12:19 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
16Now therefore stand still and see this great thing, which Jehovah will do before your eyes.
17Is it not wheat harvest to-day? I will call unto Jehovah, that he may send thunder and rain; and ye shall know and see that your wickedness is great, which ye have done in the sight of Jehovah, in asking you a king.
18So Samuel called unto Jehovah; and Jehovah sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared Jehovah and Samuel.
19And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto Jehovah thy God, that we die not; for we have added unto all our sins [this] evil, to ask us a king.
20And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not; ye have indeed done all this evil; yet turn not aside from following Jehovah, but serve Jehovah with all your heart:
21and turn ye not aside; for [then would ye go] after vain things which cannot profit nor deliver, for they are vain.
22For Jehovah will not forsake his people for his great name`s sake, because it hath pleased Jehovah to make you a people unto himself.
← 1 Samuel 12:181 Samuel 12:20 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And all the people said unto Samuel, During the tempest, and in the midst of it; it was the general cry of the people, they were unanimous in it: pray for thy servants unto the Lord thy God, that we die not; though they had rejected him as their judge and supreme governor in desiring a king, now they were his humble servants, at least feignedly; and knowing what interest he had with God in prayer, they entreat him to make use of it on their behalf, who having sinned so greatly, had not the assurance to call the Lord their God, though they had no doubt of his being the God of Samuel, whose prayers he had heard, of which this tempest was a full proof; and was so violent, that if it continued,…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Thy God - Whom thou hast so great an interest in, while we are ashamed and afraid to call him our God. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 12:20”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“12:19 The people asked Samuel to intercede for them (see also 7:8) rather than praying themselves probably because they were out of fellowship with God (note the use of your God rather than “our God”). • added to our sins: The sins included idol worship (12:21; see study note on 8:8).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Pray for thy: Sa1 7:5, Sa1 7:8; Gen 20:7; Exo 9:28, Exo 10:17; Job 42:8; Psa 78:34, Psa 78:35; Isa 26:16; Mal 1:9; Act 8:24; Jam 5:15; Jo1 5:16 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 12:20”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Samuel 12 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification