Movatterモバイル変換

Job 28:28
And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, thatis wisdom; and to depart from evilis understanding.

Proverbs 1:7
The fear of the LORDis the beginning of knowledge:but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Exodus 12:13
And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where yeare: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroyyou, when I smite the land of Egypt.

in truth

Psalm 119:80
Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed.

John 1:47
Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

consider

Ezra 9:13,14
And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou our God hast punished us less than our iniquitiesdeserve, and hast given ussuch deliverance as this; …

Isaiah 5:12
And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.

Romans 12:1
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,which is your reasonable service.

how great things.

Deuteronomy 10:21
Heis thy praise, and heis thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.

Psalm 126:2,3
Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them…

and serve Him faithfully
Service to God is a recurring theme in the Bible, often linked with faithfulness. In the historical context, Israel was transitioning from a theocracy to a monarchy, and Samuel stresses the importance of remaining loyal to God despite political changes. Faithful service involves obedience and dedication, as seen inDeuteronomy 10:12, where serving God with all one's heart and soul is commanded. This service is not just ritualistic but involves a genuine commitment to God's will.

with all your heart
The heart in biblical terms represents the center of one's being, including emotions, will, and intellect. Serving God with all one's heart implies total devotion and sincerity. This phrase connects to the Shema inDeuteronomy 6:5, where loving God with all one's heart, soul, and strength is commanded. It underscores the need for wholehearted commitment, not just outward compliance.

consider what great things He has done for you
Reflecting on God's past deeds is a common biblical exhortation, encouraging gratitude and trust. For Israel, this included deliverance from Egypt, provision in the wilderness, and victories in Canaan. This reflection serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and power, encouraging continued reliance on Him. In a broader biblical context, it points to the ultimate act of salvation through Jesus Christ, who fulfills God's promises and demonstrates His love and power.

Samuel starts by putting everything that follows in first place: “Above all.” The call to place the Lord at the summit of every priority echoesMatthew 6:33—“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.” It is not an optional add-on; it is the governing principle for every decision, goal, and relationship.

• When God is supreme, lesser loyalties fall into proper order (Colossians 1:18).

• Anything—career, family, ministry—can become disordered if it outranks Him (Exodus 20:3).

• A life aimed “above all” at pleasing Him enjoys His steady guidance (Proverbs 3:6).

“Fear” here means reverent awe that leads to obedience, not a cringing terror.Psalm 111:10 reminds us, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,” andProverbs 14:27 calls it “a fountain of life.”

• True fear includes wonder (Isaiah 6:1–5), trust (Psalm 34:7–9), and willing submission (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

• This fear keeps us from casual familiarity and guards against drifting into sin (Hebrews 12:28–29).

Service is the natural outflow of reverent fear.Joshua 24:14 pairs the same terms—“fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth.” Faithfulness means reliability over the long haul (1 Corinthians 4:2).

• Our lives become “living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1–2).

• Faithfulness shows up in mundane tasks as well as public acts (Luke 16:10).

• God equips what He commands (1 Peter 4:10–11); He never asks for service He will not enable.

Wholehearted devotion excludes divided allegiance.Deuteronomy 6:5 commands, “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Jesus confirms the same priority inMark 12:30.

• God seeks undivided hearts (Psalm 86:11).

• Half-hearted service drains joy; wholehearted love fuels perseverance (Colossians 3:23).

• When the heart is engaged, obedience becomes delight, not drudgery (Psalm 40:8).

Gratitude anchors obedience. Reflecting on God’s past mercies fuels present faithfulness.Psalm 103:2 exhorts, “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all His benefits.”

• Israel could recall the Exodus, manna, victories (Deuteronomy 8:2–4).

• Believers today recount salvation through Christ, daily provision, answered prayer (Ephesians 1:3–7).

• Regular remembrance cultivates humility and joy (Lamentations 3:22–23;1 Thessalonians 5:18).

1 Samuel 12:24 compresses a life of godliness into four linked commands: place God first, revere Him, serve Him with steadfast devotion, and keep gratitude at the forefront. As we remember His mighty works, our hearts stay tender, our service remains faithful, and our lives declare that the Lord alone is worthy “above all.”

Parallel Commentaries ...