1 Samuel 12:9

“And when they forgat the Lord their God, etc.] The worship of the Lord their God, as the Targum; that is, they fell into idolatry, which is a plain instance and proof of forgetfulness of God; for such that neglect his worship, and serve idols, may be truly said to forget him: he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor; who was general of the army of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor, (<070402>Judges 4:2), where they are said to be sold into the hands of Jabin, here into the hands of Sisera; because it is highly probable he was sent against them by Jabin, and subdued them, as he afterwards was sent by him, when they rebelled against him, and were delivered out…”

“According to the present arrangement of the Book of Judges, and the common chronology, the oppression of Sisera must have occurred about 200 years after the entrance into Canaan. But Samuel here places it as the first great servitude, before that under Eglon king of Moab, or that from which Shamgar delivered them. And this is in accordance with the internal evidence of the Book of Judges itself. It is also the order of Judges 10:11, except that there the Ammonites Judges 3:13 are placed before the Philistines. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Forgat - That is, they revolted from him, and carried themselves, as if they had wholly forgotten his innumerable favours. This he saith to answer an objection, that the reason why they desired a king, was, because in the time of the judges they were at great uncertainties, and often exercised with sharp afflictions: to which he answereth by concession that they were so; but adds, by way of retortion, that they themselves were the cause of it, by their forgetting God: so that it was not the fault of that kind of government, but their transgressing the rules of it. Fought - With success, and subdued them. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 12:11”

“12:9 handed them over: See Judg 3:8; 4:1-3. • the king of Moab: See Judg 3:12. Not all of Israel’s enemies in the era of the judges are listed (e.g., the Ammonites and Midianites). This list is representative to emphasize the highs and lows of that era.”

“forgat: Deu 32:18; Jdg 3:7; Psa 106:21; Jer 2:32 he sold: Deu 32:30; Jdg 2:14, Jdg 3:8, Jdg 4:2; Isa 50:1, Isa 50:2 of the Philistines: Jdg 10:7, Jdg 13:1 into the: Jdg 3:12; Isa 63:10 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 12:10”