1 Samuel 12:25
But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.
Original Language Analysis
וְאִם
H518
וְאִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 8
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
תָּרֵ֑עוּ
But if ye shall still
H7489
תָּרֵ֑עוּ
But if ye shall still
Strong's:
H7489
Word #:
2 of 8
properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)
תָּרֵ֑עוּ
But if ye shall still
H7489
תָּרֵ֑עוּ
But if ye shall still
Strong's:
H7489
Word #:
3 of 8
properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)
גַּם
H1571
גַּם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
4 of 8
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
גַּֽם
H1571
גַּֽם
Strong's:
H1571
Word #:
6 of 8
properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and
Cross References
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.Isaiah 3:11Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.Deuteronomy 28:36The LORD shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known; and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone.Hosea 10:3For now they shall say, We have no king, because we feared not the LORD; what then should a king do to us?
Historical Context
This warning was fulfilled ultimately in 586 BC when Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and ended the monarchy. The prophets would repeatedly cite Israel's covenant violations as explanation for national catastrophe. Samuel's warning established the theological framework for interpreting Israel's monarchical history.
Questions for Reflection
- How should sobering warnings balance encouraging promises in Christian proclamation?
- What does the eventual fulfillment of Samuel's warning teach about the seriousness of covenant faithfulness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.
Samuel's concluding warning maintains covenant conditionality: 'if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.' The inclusion of 'your king' emphasizes that monarchy provides no escape from covenant consequences. The Hebrew saphah ('consumed' or 'swept away') denotes complete destruction. This solemn warning frames all of Israel's subsequent monarchical history and prophetically anticipates the exile that would eventually fulfill it. Hope and warning together characterize biblical preaching.