King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 12:11 Mean?

1 Samuel 12:11 in the King James Version says “And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on e... — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe.

1 Samuel 12:11 · KJV


Context

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.

10

And they cried unto the LORD, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve thee.

11

And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe.

12

And when ye saw that Nahash the king of the children of Ammon came against you, ye said unto me, Nay; but a king shall reign over us: when the LORD your God was your king.

13

Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe.

Samuel lists the judges God sent in response to Israel's repentance: Jerubbaal (Gideon), Bedan (possibly Barak or an unknown judge), Jephthah, and significantly includes himself. Each judge represented divine provision for specific crises without permanent institutional power. That Samuel names himself among these deliverers is not self-aggrandizement but reminder that the system of Spirit-empowered, temporary leadership had worked effectively, including through his own ministry. The pattern required no permanent human king.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jerubbaal ('let Baal contend') was Gideon's alternate name received after destroying his father's Baal altar (Judges 6:32). The identity of Bedan is debated; some identify him with Barak, others with Abdon or Jair. Jephthah delivered Israel from Ammon (Judges 11-12).

Reflection Questions

  1. How has God provided leadership and deliverance in your faith community's history?
  2. What does the pattern of temporary, Spirit-empowered leadership teach about dependence on God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח1 of 17

sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

יְהוָה֙2 of 17

And the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֶת3 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְרֻבַּ֣עַל4 of 17

Jerubbaal

H3378

jerubbaal, a symbolic name of gideon

וְאֶת5 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּדָ֔ן6 of 17

and Bedan

H917

bedan, the name of two israelites

וְאֶת7 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יִפְתָּ֖ח8 of 17

and Jephthah

H3316

jiphtach, an israelite; also a place in palestine

וְאֶת9 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שְׁמוּאֵ֑ל10 of 17

and Samuel

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

וַיַּצֵּ֨ל11 of 17

and delivered

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

אֶתְכֶ֜ם12 of 17
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִיַּ֤ד13 of 17

you out of the hand

H3027

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

אֹֽיְבֵיכֶם֙14 of 17

of your enemies

H341

hating; an adversary

מִסָּבִ֔יב15 of 17

on every side

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

וַתֵּֽשְׁב֖וּ16 of 17

and ye dwelled

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בֶּֽטַח׃17 of 17

safe

H983

properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adverb with or without preposition) safely


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 12:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 12:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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