1 Samuel 12:2
And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day.
Original Language Analysis
וְעַתָּ֞ה
H6258
הִתְהַלַּ֣כְתִּי
are with you and I have walked
H1980
הִתְהַלַּ֣כְתִּי
are with you and I have walked
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
4 of 18
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לִפְנֵיכֶ֔ם
before
H6440
לִפְנֵיכֶ֔ם
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
5 of 18
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וָשַׂ֔בְתִּי
and grayheaded
H7867
וָשַׂ֔בְתִּי
and grayheaded
Strong's:
H7867
Word #:
8 of 18
properly, to become aged, i.e., (by implication) to grow gray
וּבָנַ֖י
and behold my sons
H1121
וּבָנַ֖י
and behold my sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
9 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אִתְּכֶ֑ם
H854
אִתְּכֶ֑ם
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
11 of 18
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
הִתְהַלַּ֣כְתִּי
are with you and I have walked
H1980
הִתְהַלַּ֣כְתִּי
are with you and I have walked
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
13 of 18
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לִפְנֵיכֶ֔ם
before
H6440
לִפְנֵיכֶ֔ם
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
14 of 18
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
מִנְּעֻרַ֖י
you from my childhood
H5271
מִנְּעֻרַ֖י
you from my childhood
Strong's:
H5271
Word #:
15 of 18
(only in plural collective or emphatic form) youth, the state (juvenility) or the persons (young people)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
16 of 18
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Cross References
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.1 Samuel 8:1And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.1 Samuel 8:20That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.Numbers 27:17Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.1 Samuel 8:3And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.
Historical Context
Samuel's sons Joel and Abijah had been appointed judges in Beersheba but took bribes and perverted justice (8:1-3). Their misconduct paralleled Eli's sons' earlier corruption, creating a pattern of priestly/judicial failure that contributed to demands for monarchical reform.
Questions for Reflection
- How should leaders acknowledge their family's failures while maintaining ministry credibility?
- What responsibility do aging leaders have to prepare successors and speak truth to the next generation?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And now, behold, the king walketh before you: and I am old and grayheaded; and, behold, my sons are with you: and I have walked before you from my childhood unto this day.
Samuel's reference to his gray head and his sons walking 'before you' contains painful admission - his own sons' corruption partly motivated Israel's demand for a king (8:3-5). By acknowledging both his age and his sons' presence, Samuel demonstrates transparent honesty about the situation's complexity. His lifelong service 'from my childhood unto this day' establishes his credentials to speak with authority about Israel's relationship with God.