1 Samuel 12:9
And when they forgat the LORD their God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them.
Original Language Analysis
וַֽיִּשְׁכְּח֖וּ
And when they forgat
H7911
וַֽיִּשְׁכְּח֖וּ
And when they forgat
Strong's:
H7911
Word #:
1 of 18
to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 18
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹֽהֵיהֶ֑ם
their God
H430
אֱלֹֽהֵיהֶ֑ם
their God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
4 of 18
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וַיִּמְכֹּ֣ר
he sold
H4376
וַיִּמְכֹּ֣ר
he sold
Strong's:
H4376
Word #:
5 of 18
to sell, literally (as merchandise, a daughter in marriage, into slavery), or figuratively (to surrender)
אֹתָ֡ם
H853
אֹתָ֡ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וּבְיַד֙
and into the hand
H3027
וּבְיַד֙
and into the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
7 of 18
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
סִֽיסְרָא֩
of Sisera
H5516
סִֽיסְרָא֩
of Sisera
Strong's:
H5516
Word #:
8 of 18
sisera, the name of a canaanitish king and of one of the nethinim
צְבָ֨א
of the host
H6635
צְבָ֨א
of the host
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
10 of 18
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
חָצ֜וֹר
of Hazor
H2674
חָצ֜וֹר
of Hazor
Strong's:
H2674
Word #:
11 of 18
chatsor, the name (thus simply) of two places in palestine and of one in arabia
וּבְיַד֙
and into the hand
H3027
וּבְיַד֙
and into the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
12 of 18
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֗ים
of the Philistines
H6430
פְּלִשְׁתִּ֗ים
of the Philistines
Strong's:
H6430
Word #:
13 of 18
a pelishtite or inhabitant of pelesheth
וּבְיַד֙
and into the hand
H3027
וּבְיַד֙
and into the hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
14 of 18
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
מוֹאָ֔ב
of Moab
H4124
מוֹאָ֔ב
of Moab
Strong's:
H4124
Word #:
16 of 18
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
Cross References
Judges 4:2And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.Judges 10:7And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon.Judges 3:12And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD strengthened Eglon the king of Moab against Israel, because they had done evil in the sight of the LORD.Judges 13:1And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD delivered them into the hand of the Philistines forty years.Deuteronomy 32:18Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.
Historical Context
Sisera commanded Jabin's Canaanite army and was defeated by Deborah and Barak (Judges 4-5). The Philistines dominated Israel during much of the judges period. Moab oppressed Israel under Eglon until Ehud's deliverance (Judges 3:12-30). These enemies represented distinct cultural and military threats.
Questions for Reflection
- How does forgetting God's past faithfulness lead to present vulnerability?
- In what ways does God use difficult circumstances to draw His people back to Himself?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And when they forgat the LORD their God, he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the host of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab, and they fought against them.
Samuel identifies a recurring pattern: when Israel 'forgat the LORD their God,' He 'sold them' (makar) into enemy hands. The language of being 'sold' recalls the slave market, emphasizing that Israel's subjugation resulted from covenant abandonment. The specific enemies named - Sisera, the Philistines, and Moab - represent threats from north, west, and east, surrounding Israel with consequences of their unfaithfulness. Divine discipline aimed at restoration, not destruction.