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1 Samuel 12:21

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 12:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and turn ye not aside; for [then would ye go] after vain things which cannot profit nor deliver, for they are vain.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and turn ye not aside; for [then would ye go] after vain things which cannot profit nor deliver, for they are vain.
1 Samuel 12:21 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 12

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
23Moreover as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against Jehovah in ceasing to pray for you: but I will instruct you in the good and the right way.
24Only fear Jehovah, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things he hath done for you.
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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 turn ye not aside, etc.] From his worship: for then; if they turned aside from that: should ye go after vain things; idols, which are vanity, and less than vanity: which cannot profit nor deliver; neither bestow good things on their votaries, nor deliver them from evils, or from the hands of their enemies for they are vain; empty, useless, and unprofitable; an idol is nothing in the world, (<460804>1 Corinthians 8:4).”
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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
“Turn aside - After idols; as they had often done before; and, notwithstanding this warning, did afterwards. Vain things - So idols are called, Deu 32:21; Jer 2:5, and so they are, being mere nothings, having no power in them; no influence upon us, nor use or benefit to us. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 12:22”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“12:21 worthless . . . totally useless: Israel was slow to learn this lesson (e.g., Isa 40:18-26; 44:9-20).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“vain things: Deu 32:21; Jer 2:5, Jer 2:13, Jer 10:8, Jer 10:15, Jer 14:22, Jer 16:19; Jon 2:8; Hab 2:18; Co1 8:4 cannot profit: Psa 115:4-8; Isa 41:23, Isa 41:24, Isa 44:9, Isa 44:10, Isa 45:20, Isa 46:7; Jer 10:15 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 12:22”
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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