King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 12:20 Mean?

1 Samuel 12:20 in the King James Version says “And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD,...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 12 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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;”

1 Samuel 12:20 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

18

So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.

19

And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king.

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;

21

And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.

22

For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.

Read 1 Samuel 12 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does 'Fear not' combined with acknowledgment of sin model biblical comfort?
  2. What does serving God 'with all your heart' require after significant failure?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 22

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שְׁמוּאֵ֤ל2 of 22

“And Samuel”

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

אֶל3 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָעָם֙4 of 22

“unto the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אַל5 of 22
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תִּירָ֔אוּ6 of 22

“Fear”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

אַתֶּ֣ם7 of 22
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

עֲשִׂיתֶ֔ם8 of 22

“not ye have done”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֵ֥ת9 of 22
H853

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

כָּל10 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָֽרָעָ֖ה11 of 22

“all this wickedness”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

הַזֹּ֑את12 of 22
H2063

this (often used adverb)

אַ֗ךְ13 of 22
H389

a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only

אַל14 of 22
H408

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

תָּס֙וּרוּ֙15 of 22

“yet turn not aside”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

מֵאַֽחֲרֵ֣י16 of 22

“from following”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

יְהוָ֖ה17 of 22

“the LORD”

H3068

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

וַֽעֲבַדְתֶּ֥ם18 of 22

“but serve”

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

אֶת19 of 22
H853

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

יְהוָ֖ה20 of 22

“the LORD”

H3068

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

בְּכָל21 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

לְבַבְכֶֽם׃22 of 22

“with all your heart”

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

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 12:20 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 12:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 11:16Psalms 125:5Exodus 20:19-201 Peter 3:16Psalms 40:4Joshua 23:6

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