1 Samuel 12:20
And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart;
Original Language Analysis
הָעָם֙
unto the people
H5971
הָעָם֙
unto the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
4 of 22
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
5 of 22
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
עֲשִׂיתֶ֔ם
not ye have done
H6213
עֲשִׂיתֶ֔ם
not ye have done
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
8 of 22
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֵ֥ת
H853
אֵ֥ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָֽרָעָ֖ה
all this wickedness
H7451
הָֽרָעָ֖ה
all this wickedness
Strong's:
H7451
Word #:
11 of 22
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
אַ֗ךְ
H389
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
14 of 22
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תָּס֙וּרוּ֙
yet turn not aside
H5493
תָּס֙וּרוּ֙
yet turn not aside
Strong's:
H5493
Word #:
15 of 22
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
מֵאַֽחֲרֵ֣י
from following
H310
מֵאַֽחֲרֵ֣י
from following
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
16 of 22
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
17 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַֽעֲבַדְתֶּ֥ם
but serve
H5647
וַֽעֲבַדְתֶּ֥ם
but serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
18 of 22
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
20 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Historical Context
The prophetic pattern of judgment followed by hope characterized Israelite prophecy from Samuel through the exile prophets. God's willingness to continue relationship despite covenant violation reflects His chesed (covenant faithfulness) that outlasts human unfaithfulness.
Questions for Reflection
- How does 'Fear not' combined with acknowledgment of sin model biblical comfort?
- What does serving God 'with all your heart' require after significant failure?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart;
Samuel's response 'Fear not' (al-tira'u) offers comfort while maintaining truth. He does not minimize their sin - 'ye have done all this wickedness' - but points toward hope. The call to 'turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart' presents the path forward: wholehearted covenant renewal despite past failure. Grace does not erase consequences but provides means of restoration. The emphasis on 'all your heart' prohibits the divided loyalty that led to their failure.