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◄ 1 Samuel 12:19►

New International Version
The people all said to Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die, for we have added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king.”

New Living Translation
“Pray to the LORD your God for us, or we will die!” they all said to Samuel. “For now we have added to our sins by asking for a king.”

English Standard Version
And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for ourselves a king.”

Berean Standard Bible
They pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of asking for a king.”

King James Bible
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 sinsthis evil, to ask us a king.

New King James Version
And all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we may not die; for we have added to all our sins the evil of asking a king for ourselves.”

New American Standard Bible
Then all the people said to Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants, so that we do not die; for we have added to all our sinsthis evil, by asking for ourselves a king.”

NASB 1995
Then all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, so that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil by asking for ourselves a king.”

NASB 1977
Then all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, so that we may not die, for we have added to all our sinsthis evil by asking for ourselves a king.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then all the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to Yahweh your God, so that we may not die, for we have added to all our sinsthis evil by asking for ourselves a king.”

Amplified Bible
Then all the people said to Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants, so that we will not die, for we have added to all our sinsthis evil—to ask for a king for ourselves.”

Christian Standard Bible
They pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so we won’t die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of requesting a king for ourselves.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants, so we won’t die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of requesting a king for ourselves.”

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

Contemporary English Version
They told Samuel, "Please, pray to the LORD your God for us! We don't want to die. We have sinned many times in the past, and we were very wrong to ask for a king."

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
All the people pleaded with Samuel, "Pray to the LORD your God for us so that we will not die. We have added [another] evil thing to all our other sins by asking for a king."

Good News Translation
and they said to Samuel, "Please, sir, pray to the LORD your God for us, so that we won't die. We now realize that, besides all our other sins, we have sinned by asking for a king."

International Standard Version
Then all the people told Samuel, "Pray to the LORD your God for your servants, so that we don't die, because we made all our sins worse by asking for a king for ourselves."

NET Bible
All the people said to Samuel, "Pray to the LORD your God on behalf of us--your servants--so we won't die, for we have added to all our sins by asking for a king."

New Heart English Bible
All the people said to Samuel, "Pray for your servants to the LORD your God, that we not die; for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask us a king."

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

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
They pleaded with Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of asking for a king.”

World English Bible
All the people said to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to Yahweh your God, that we not die; for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for a king.”

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and all the people say to Samuel, “Pray for your servants to your God YHWH, and we do not die, for we have added evil to all our sins to ask [for] a king for ourselves.”

Young's Literal Translation
and all the people say unto Samuel, 'Pray for thy servants unto Jehovah thy God, and we do not die, for we have added to all our sins evil to ask for us a king.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And all the people will say to Samuel, Pray for thy servants to Jehovah thy God, and we shall not die; for we added upon all our sins the wickedness to ask for us a king.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And all the people greatly feared the Lord and Samuel. And all the people said to Samuel: Pray for thy servants to the Lord thy God, that we may not die, for we have added to all our sins this evil, to ask for a king.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And all the people feared the Lord and Samuel exceedingly. And all the people said to Samuel: “Pray, on behalf of your servants, to the Lord your God, so that we may not die. For we have added to all our sins this evil, that we would petition for a king.”

New American Bible
They said to Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for us, your servants, that we may not die for having added to all our other sins the evil of asking for a king.”

New Revised Standard Version
All the people said to Samuel, “Pray to the LORD your God for your servants, so that we may not die; for we have added to all our sins the evil of demanding a king for ourselves.”

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And all the people said to Samuel. Pray for your servants before the LORD your God, that we may not die; for we have added to all our sins a great evil, in that we have asked for ourselves a king.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And all the people said to Shemueil: “Pray for your Servants before LORD JEHOVAH your God, and we will not die, because we have added to all our sins a great evil, that we ask for ourselves a King!”

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
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.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And all the people said to Samuel, Pray for thy servants to the Lord thy God, and let us not die; for we have added to all our sins this iniquity, in asking for us a king.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Samuel's Farewell Address
…18So Samuel called to the LORD, and on that day the LORD sent thunder and rain. As a result, all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.19They pleaded with Samuel,“Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die!For we have added to all our sins the evil of asking for a king.”20“Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “Even though you have committed all this evil, do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart.…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

2 Chronicles 7:14
and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

Jeremiah 15:1
Then the LORD said to me: “Even if Moses and Samuel should stand before Me, My heart would not go out to this people. Send them from My presence, and let them go!

Exodus 9:28
Pray to the LORD, for there has been enough of God’s thunder and hail. I will let you go; you do not need to stay any longer.”

Numbers 21:7
Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Intercede with the LORD so He will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses interceded for the people.

1 Kings 13:6
Then the king responded to the man of God, “Intercede with the LORD your God and pray for me that my hand may be restored.” So the man of God interceded with the LORD, and the king’s hand was restored to him as it was before.

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.

Acts 8:24
Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me, so that nothing you have said may happen to me.”

Matthew 3:2
and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

Luke 11:9-10
So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

2 Corinthians 7:10
Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

Isaiah 55:6-7
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. / Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

Hosea 14:2
Bring your confessions and return to the LORD. Say to Him: “Take away all our iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit of our lips.

Psalm 106:23
So He said He would destroy them—had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach to divert His wrath from destroying them.

Ezekiel 18:30-32
Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you, each according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, so that your iniquity will not become your downfall. / Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? / For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live!

Joel 2:12-13
“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping, and mourning.” / So rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to the LORD your God. For He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion. And He relents from sending disaster.

Treasury of Scripture

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

Pray for thy servants

1 Samuel 7:5,8
And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD…

Genesis 20:7
Now therefore restore the manhis wife; for heis a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restoreher not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all thatare thine.

Exodus 9:28
Intreat the LORD (forit is enough) that there be nomore mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer.

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1 Samuel 12

1.Samuel testifies his integrity
6.He reproves the people of ingratitude
16.He terrifies them with thunder in harvest time
20.he comforts them in God's mercy

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

They pleaded with Samuel
The Israelites recognized Samuel as a prophet and judge, a mediator between them and God. This reflects the biblical pattern of seeking intercession from God's appointed leaders, similar to Moses interceding for Israel inExodus 32:11-14. Samuel's role as a judge and prophet is crucial, as he represents God's voice to the people during this transitional period from judges to monarchy.

Pray to the LORD your God
The phrase "the LORD your God" indicates a recognition of Samuel's close relationship with God, yet it also subtly highlights the people's distance from God due to their disobedience. This request for prayer underscores the importance of intercessory prayer in the Old Testament, where leaders often prayed on behalf of the people (e.g., Abraham inGenesis 18:22-33).

for your servants
By calling themselves "your servants," the Israelites acknowledge their subordinate position and dependence on Samuel's spiritual leadership. This reflects the hierarchical structure of ancient Israelite society, where prophets and judges held significant authority.

so that we will not die!
The fear of death here is both literal and spiritual. The Israelites were aware of the consequences of disobedience to God, as seen in the covenant curses outlined inDeuteronomy 28. Their plea reflects a fear of divine judgment, which was a common theme in the Old Testament when the people strayed from God's commands.

For we have added to all our sins
This confession indicates an awareness of cumulative sin, acknowledging that their request for a king was not an isolated act of disobedience but part of a broader pattern of rebellion against God. This mirrors the cycle of sin and repentance seen throughout the book of Judges.

the evil of asking for a king.
The request for a king was seen as a rejection of God's kingship, as noted in1 Samuel 8:7. This desire to be like other nations (1 Samuel 8:5) was contrary to God's plan for Israel to be a distinct and holy people. The request for a king foreshadows the eventual coming of Jesus Christ, the true King, who fulfills God's promise of a righteous ruler from the line of David (2 Samuel 7:12-16).

Persons / Places / Events

1.Samuel
The last judge of Israel, a prophet, and a pivotal figure in the transition from the period of judges to the monarchy. He is known for his faithfulness to God and his role in anointing the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David.

2.The Israelites
The people of God who, despite witnessing God's faithfulness, demanded a king to lead them like other nations, demonstrating a lack of trust in God's sovereignty.

3.The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who had been their king and protector. The Israelites' request for a human king was seen as a rejection of His kingship.

4.The Request for a King
This event marks a significant turning point in Israel's history, where the people demanded a king to lead them, which was contrary to God's original plan for them to be a theocracy.

5.The Sin of Asking for a King
The Israelites recognized their request for a king as a sin, acknowledging that it was an act of rebellion against God's rule.

Teaching Points

Recognizing Sin and Repentance
The Israelites' acknowledgment of their sin in asking for a king is a reminder of the importance of recognizing our own sins and turning back to God in repentance.

The Role of Intercessory Prayer
Samuel's role as an intercessor highlights the power and importance of praying for others, especially when they are in need of God's mercy and guidance.

Trusting in God's Sovereignty
The Israelites' desire for a king reflects a lack of trust in God's sovereignty. We are called to trust in God's plan and timing, even when it differs from our own desires.

Consequences of Rejecting God
The request for a king serves as a warning about the consequences of rejecting God's leadership in favor of human solutions.

God's Faithfulness Despite Human Failure
Despite the Israelites' rebellion, God remained faithful to His covenant, showing His grace and mercy even when His people fail.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 12:19?

2.How does 1 Samuel 12:19 highlight the importance of intercessory prayer?

3.What does Israel's request for a king reveal about their trust in God?

4.How can we apply Samuel's role as intercessor in our prayer life?

5.What scriptural connections exist between 1 Samuel 12:19 and James 5:16?

6.How does acknowledging sin, as in 1 Samuel 12:19, lead to repentance?

7.Why did the Israelites ask for a king despite God's warnings in 1 Samuel 12:19?

8.How does 1 Samuel 12:19 reflect on human nature's tendency to reject divine authority?

9.What does 1 Samuel 12:19 reveal about the consequences of disobedience to God?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 12?

11.How could the people’s immediate repentance in 1 Samuel 12:19 be verified historically or culturally?

12.In 2 Samuel 12:13, David's quick confession leads to forgiveness, but is the swift absolution realistic given the gravity of adultery and murder?

13.In 2 Chronicles 2:11-12, why does Tyrian King Hiram express devotion to Israel's God when no independent Tyrian records verify such reverence?

14.Why does Solomon's prayer in 1 Kings 8:33-34 promise national restoration to Israel if they repent, when other biblical passages suggest God's judgment can remain despite repentance?

What Does 1 Samuel 12:19 Mean

They pleaded with Samuel

• The people have just seen the LORD send thunder and rain in response to Samuel’s word (1 Samuel 12:17-18), a supernatural sign that pierced their consciences.

• Like their forefathers who ran to Moses after plagues (Exodus 10:16-17) and cried to him at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:10-12), they now hurry to the prophet who represents God to them.

• Their plea shows they believe Samuel’s prayers carry weight, echoing earlier appeals: “Do not stop crying out to the LORD our God for us” (1 Samuel 7:8).

• It models the truth later stated inJames 5:16: “The prayer of a righteous man has great power.”

Pray to the LORD your God

• By saying “your God,” they expose the relational gap their sin has opened; they fear approaching the Holy One themselves (Exodus 20:18-19).

• Scripture consistently points to the need for a mediator—Moses, Samuel, and supremely “the one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).

• Samuel’s willingness to intercede prefigures Christ, who “always lives to intercede” (Hebrews 7:25), reminding us that God’s ears are open because of a faithful advocate.

for your servants

• Calling themselves “servants” signals humility after earlier defiance (1 Samuel 8:19-20).

• Genuine repentance bows low: “Humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand” (1 Peter 5:6).

• Their new posture contrasts with the king they demanded who would make them servants (1 Samuel 8:11-17); now they acknowledge they already belong to the LORD.

so that we will not die!

• Thunder at harvest time was life-threatening; crops could be ruined, and lightning could kill.

• More deeply, they sense divine wrath: “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).

• Death is the just outcome of sin (Romans 6:23), and the people know it. Like Israel after Korah’s rebellion—“Surely we are perishing!” (Numbers 17:12-13)—they beg for mercy.

For we have added to all our sins

• They finally tally the running debt of disobedience: idolatry, unbelief, grumbling, and now this.

• Confession is vital: “I acknowledged my sin to You… and You forgave” (Psalm 32:5).

• The phrase “added to” warns that sin snowballs when unchecked (Isaiah 30:1).

• Yet God’s willingness to forgive repeatedly is showcased throughout Scripture—“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive” (1 John 1:9).

the evil of asking for a king

• Their request was not merely political; it was spiritual rejection: “They have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me as their king” (1 Samuel 8:7).

• Hosea later recalls this moment: “You said, ‘Give me a king’—So I gave you a king in My anger” (Hosea 13:10-11).

• Wanting to be “like all the nations” (1 Samuel 8:5) denied Israel’s calling as a holy people (Deuteronomy 14:2).

• Even so, God would weave redemption through the monarchy, ultimately sending the true King, Jesus, who fulfills every righteous expectation (Luke 1:32-33).

summary

Israel’s sudden storm-shaken fear drives them to Samuel, pleading for intercession. Their words reveal distance from God, fresh humility, terror of deserved judgment, honest confession of accumulated sin, and acknowledgment that demanding a human king was rebellion. The passage underscores our need for a mediator, the urgency of repentance, and the mercy of a God who listens when His servant prays.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 19. -Pray for thy servants. On Samuel's mediatorial office see1 Samuel 7:5, 8.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

They
כָל־(ḵāl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, every

pleaded
וַיֹּאמְר֨וּ(way·yō·mə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 559:To utter, say

with
אֶל־(’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, to

Samuel,
שְׁמוּאֵ֗ל(šə·mū·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8050:Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of Israel

“Pray
הִתְפַּלֵּ֧ל(hiṯ·pal·lêl)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 6419:To judge, to intercede, pray

to
אֶל־(’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413:Near, with, among, to

the LORD
יְהוָ֥ה(Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

your God
אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ(’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

for
בְּעַד־(bə·‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 1157:In up to, over against, at, beside, among, behind, for

your servants,
עֲבָדֶ֛יךָ(‘ă·ḇā·ḏe·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650:Slave, servant

so we will not
וְאַל־(wə·’al-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 408:Not

die!
נָמ֑וּת(nā·mūṯ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect Cohortative if contextual - first person common plural
Strong's 4191:To die, to kill

For
כִּֽי־(kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunction

we have added
יָסַ֤פְנוּ(yā·sap̄·nū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 3254:To add, augment

to
עַל־(‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, against

all
כָּל־(kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, every

our sins
חַטֹּאתֵ֙ינוּ֙(ḥaṭ·ṭō·ṯê·nū)
Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 2403:An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender

the evil
רָעָ֔ה(rā·‘āh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7451:Bad, evil

of asking
לִשְׁאֹ֥ל(liš·’ōl)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7592:To inquire, to request, to demand

for
לָ֖נוּ(lā·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's Hebrew

a king.”
מֶֽלֶךְ׃(me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428:A king

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OT History: 1 Samuel 12:19 All the people said to Samuel Pray (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa)