This verse from 1 Samuel 12:9 is a pivotal statement in Samuel's farewell address to the Israelites. It essentially conveys the following meaning:
"But they forgot Yahweh their God...": This is the core problem. The Israelites, despite having been delivered by God time and time again, turned away from worshipping and obeying Him. This "forgetting" implies a lack of gratitude, a rejection of God's covenant, and a straying toward other gods.
"...and he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the army of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab...": As a consequence of their disobedience, God allowed them to be conquered and oppressed by their enemies. "Sold them into the hand of" is a figurative way of saying that God allowed these nations to overpower and subjugate the Israelites. Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army, the Philistines (who were a constant threat), and the King of Moab are specifically mentioned as examples of these oppressing forces.
"...and they fought against them.": This simply means that these nations waged war against the Israelites and, as a result of God's allowing it, were successful in dominating them. The Israelites suffered the consequences of their actions through military defeat and subsequent oppression.
In essence, this verse highlights a recurring pattern in the Book of Judges and early Israelite history:
1. Apostasy: The Israelites turn away from God.
2. Punishment: God allows them to be conquered and oppressed by their enemies.
3. Repentance: The Israelites cry out to God for help.
4. Deliverance: God raises up a judge (leader) to deliver them from their oppressors.
Samuel is reminding the people of this cycle to emphasize the importance of remaining faithful to God and avoiding the consequences of disobedience. He is using history as a warning and an encouragement to choose obedience in the future.
Essentially, the verse says, "Because the Israelites forgot God, He allowed them to be conquered by their enemies, who then fought against and oppressed them." It illustrates the consequences of breaking the covenant with God and turning away from Him.
This verse from 1 Samuel 12:9 is a pivotal statement in Samuel's farewell address to the Israelites. It essentially conveys the following meaning:
"But they forgot Yahweh their God...": This is the core problem. The Israelites, despite having been delivered by God time and time again, turned away from worshipping and obeying Him. This "forgetting" implies a lack of gratitude, a rejection of God's covenant, and a straying toward other gods.
"...and he sold them into the hand of Sisera, captain of the army of Hazor, and into the hand of the Philistines, and into the hand of the king of Moab...": As a consequence of their disobedience, God allowed them to be conquered and oppressed by their enemies. "Sold them into the hand of" is a figurative way of saying that God allowed these nations to overpower and subjugate the Israelites. Sisera, the commander of the Canaanite army, the Philistines (who were a constant threat), and the King of Moab are specifically mentioned as examples of these oppressing forces.
"...and they fought against them.": This simply means that these nations waged war against the Israelites and, as a result of God's allowing it, were successful in dominating them. The Israelites suffered the consequences of their actions through military defeat and subsequent oppression.
In essence, this verse highlights a recurring pattern in the Book of Judges and early Israelite history:
1. Apostasy: The Israelites turn away from God.
2. Punishment: God allows them to be conquered and oppressed by their enemies.
3. Repentance: The Israelites cry out to God for help.
4. Deliverance: God raises up a judge (leader) to deliver them from their oppressors.
Samuel is reminding the people of this cycle to emphasize the importance of remaining faithful to God and avoiding the consequences of disobedience. He is using history as a warning and an encouragement to choose obedience in the future.
Essentially, the verse says, "Because the Israelites forgot God, He allowed them to be conquered by their enemies, who then fought against and oppressed them." It illustrates the consequences of breaking the covenant with God and turning away from Him.