1 Samuel 12:14
If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God:
Original Language Analysis
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 24
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
תִּֽירְא֣וּ
If ye will fear
H3372
תִּֽירְא֣וּ
If ye will fear
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
2 of 24
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֥ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַֽעֲבַדְתֶּ֤ם
and serve
H5647
וַֽעֲבַדְתֶּ֤ם
and serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
5 of 24
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
אֹתוֹ֙
H853
אֹתוֹ֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וּשְׁמַעְתֶּ֣ם
him and obey
H8085
וּשְׁמַעְתֶּ֣ם
him and obey
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
7 of 24
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 24
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תַמְר֖וּ
and not rebel
H4784
תַמְר֖וּ
and not rebel
Strong's:
H4784
Word #:
10 of 24
to be (causatively, make) bitter (or unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist; causatively, to provoke)
אֶת
H854
אֶת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
11 of 24
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
פִּ֣י
against the commandment
H6310
פִּ֣י
against the commandment
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
12 of 24
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
יְהוָ֥ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
13 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וִֽהְיִתֶ֣ם
H1961
וִֽהְיִתֶ֣ם
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
14 of 24
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
15 of 24
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
וְגַם
H1571
וְגַם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
17 of 24
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
19 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
מָלַ֣ךְ
that reigneth
H4427
מָלַ֣ךְ
that reigneth
Strong's:
H4427
Word #:
20 of 24
to reign; hence (by implication) to take counsel
עֲלֵיכֶ֔ם
H5921
עֲלֵיכֶ֔ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
21 of 24
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אַחַ֖ר
over you continue following
H310
אַחַ֖ר
over you continue following
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
22 of 24
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
Cross References
Joshua 24:14Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.Isaiah 3:10Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.Joshua 24:20If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.
Historical Context
This conditional covenant formula echoes Deuteronomy's blessings and curses (Deuteronomy 28). Samuel applies the Mosaic covenant directly to the new monarchical situation, establishing that kingship operates within, not above, covenant requirements.
Questions for Reflection
- How do these four requirements - fearing, serving, obeying, not rebelling - apply to your life?
- What does it mean that leaders and followers share equal accountability before God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God:
Samuel presents the covenant conditions for success: 'If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD.' Four positive requirements cluster around wholehearted covenant loyalty. The promise that 'both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God' makes clear that king and people share the same conditional status before God. No human king stands above the covenant; all are equally accountable to the divine King.