1 samuel 12:13 - Now therefore see the king whom you have chosen, and whom you have asked for. Behold, Yahweh has set a king over you.
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What does "1 samuel 12:13" mean?
This verse, 1 Samuel 12:13, is a pivotal moment in the transition of Israel from a theocracy (ruled by God through prophets and judges) to a monarchy (ruled by a human king). It essentially means:
"Now therefore see the king whom you have chosen, and whom you have asked for..." This acknowledges the people of Israel's desire to have a king "like all the other nations" (1 Samuel 8:5). They had repeatedly requested a king, despite warnings from the prophet Samuel about the potential downsides. This part emphasizes their agency in the situation. They got what they wanted.
"...Behold, Yahweh has set a king over you." While the people chose to ask for a king, this line emphasizes that God ultimately allowed or ordained it. It's not simply that the people got their way against God's will. God, in his sovereignty, is permitting the establishment of the monarchy. This doesn't necessarily mean He approved of the request, but rather that He accommodated it within His larger plan.
In essence, the verse is a statement of the reality of the new situation. Samuel is presenting the king to the people, acknowledging their role in asking for him, but also underscoring that God is still ultimately in control. It's a bittersweet moment; the people got what they demanded, but there's an implicit warning that their choice has consequences and that their faithfulness to God will be tested under this new regime.
1 samuel 12:13 - Now therefore see the king whom you have chosen, and whom you have asked for. Behold, Yahweh has set a king over you.
What does "1 samuel 12:13" mean?
This verse, 1 Samuel 12:13, is a pivotal moment in the transition of Israel from a theocracy (ruled by God through prophets and judges) to a monarchy (ruled by a human king). It essentially means:
"Now therefore see the king whom you have chosen, and whom you have asked for..." This acknowledges the people of Israel's desire to have a king "like all the other nations" (1 Samuel 8:5). They had repeatedly requested a king, despite warnings from the prophet Samuel about the potential downsides. This part emphasizes their agency in the situation. They got what they wanted.
"...Behold, Yahweh has set a king over you." While the people chose to ask for a king, this line emphasizes that God ultimately allowed or ordained it. It's not simply that the people got their way against God's will. God, in his sovereignty, is permitting the establishment of the monarchy. This doesn't necessarily mean He approved of the request, but rather that He accommodated it within His larger plan.
In essence, the verse is a statement of the reality of the new situation. Samuel is presenting the king to the people, acknowledging their role in asking for him, but also underscoring that God is still ultimately in control. It's a bittersweet moment; the people got what they demanded, but there's an implicit warning that their choice has consequences and that their faithfulness to God will be tested under this new regime.