1 Samuel 12:13
Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you.
Original Language Analysis
וְעַתָּ֗ה
H6258
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בְּחַרְתֶּ֖ם
whom ye have chosen
H977
בְּחַרְתֶּ֖ם
whom ye have chosen
Strong's:
H977
Word #:
5 of 12
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שְׁאֶלְתֶּ֑ם
and whom ye have desired
H7592
שְׁאֶלְתֶּ֑ם
and whom ye have desired
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
7 of 12
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
נָתַ֧ן
hath set
H5414
נָתַ֧ן
hath set
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
9 of 12
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
יְהוָ֛ה
and behold the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֛ה
and behold the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Hosea 13:11I gave thee a king in mine anger, and took him away in my wrath.1 Samuel 10:24And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.1 Samuel 8:5And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.
Historical Context
The tension between human agency and divine sovereignty in Saul's selection reflects broader biblical themes. God worked through Israel's sinful request to establish the monarchy that would eventually produce David's line and ultimately the Messiah, while allowing immediate consequences of their choice.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God work through our imperfect choices to accomplish His purposes?
- What warnings should accompany getting exactly what we asked for?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you.
Samuel presents an inescapable paradox: 'behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired' - yet also 'the LORD hath set a king over you.' Human choice and divine sovereignty intersect in Israel's monarchy. God grants their request while incorporating it into His larger purposes. The word 'desired' (sha'al) echoes Saul's name and the verb used for 'asking' for a king (8:10). Israel got exactly what they asked for - which carries both promise and warning.