Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version If you fear the LORD and serve and obey him and do not rebel against his commands, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the LORD your God—good! New Living Translation “Now if you fear and worship the LORD and listen to his voice, and if you do not rebel against the LORD’s commands, then both you and your king will show that you recognize the LORD as your God. English Standard Version If you will fear the LORD and serve him and obey his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God, it will be well. Berean Standard Bible If you fear the LORD and serve Him and obey His voice, and if you do not rebel against the command of the LORD, and if both you and the king who rules over you follow the LORD your God, then all will be well. Berean Literal Bible If you⁺ fear YHWH, and serve Him, and listen to His voice, and do not rebel against the commandment of YHWH, then you⁺ will be well—both you⁺ and the king who reigns over you⁺ after YHWH your⁺ God! King James Bible If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God: New King James Version If you fear the LORD and serve Him and obey His voice, and do not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then both you and the king who reigns over you will continue following the LORD your God. New American Standard Bible If you will fear the LORD and serve Him, and listen to His voice and not rebel against the command of the LORD, then both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God. NASB 1995 “If you will fear the LORD and serve Him, and listen to His voice and not rebel against the command of the LORD, then both you and also the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God. NASB 1977 “If you will fear the LORD and serve Him, and listen to His voice and not rebel against the command of the LORD, then both you and also the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God. Legacy Standard Bible If you will fear Yahweh and serve Him and listen to His voice and not rebel against the command of Yahweh, then both you and also the king who reigns over you will follow Yahweh your God. Amplified Bible If you will fear the LORD [with awe and profound reverence] and serve Him and listen to His voice and not rebel against His commandment, then both you and your king will follow the LORD your God [and it will be well]. Berean Annotated Bible If you⁺ fear the LORD {YHWH} and serve Him and obey His voice, and if you⁺ do not rebel against the command of the LORD, and if both you⁺ and the king who rules over you⁺ follow the LORD your⁺ God, then all will be well. Christian Standard Bible If you fear the LORD, worship and obey him, and if you don’t rebel against the LORD’s command, then both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God. Holman Christian Standard Bible If you fear the LORD, worship and obey Him, and if you don’t rebel against the LORD’s command, then both you and the king who rules over you will follow the LORD your God. American Standard Version If ye will fear Jehovah, and serve him, and hearken unto his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of Jehovah, and both ye and also the king that reigneth over you be followers of Jehovah your God, well: Contemporary English Version If you and your king want to be followers of the LORD, you must worship him and do what he says. Don't be stubborn! English Revised Version If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and hearken unto his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, and both ye and also the king that reigneth over you be followers of the LORD your God, well: GOD'S WORD® Translation If you fear the LORD, serve him, obey him, and don't rebel against what he says, then you and your king will follow the LORD your God. Good News Translation All will go well with you if you honor the LORD your God, serve him, listen to him, and obey his commands, and if you and your king follow him. International Standard Version If you fear the LORD, serve him, obey him, and don't rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then both you and the king who rules over you will truly follow the LORD your God. NET Bible If you fear the LORD, serving him and obeying him and not rebelling against what he says, and if both you and the king who rules over you follow the LORD your God, all will be well. New Heart English Bible If you will fear the LORD, and serve him, and listen to his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, and both you and also the king who reigns over you are followers of the LORD your God, then he will rescue you. Webster's Bible Translation If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye, and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleIf you fear the LORD and serve Him and obey His voice, and if you do not rebel against the command of the LORD, and if both you and the king who rules over you follow the LORD your God, then all will be well. World English Bible If you will fear Yahweh, and serve him, and listen to his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of Yahweh, then both you and also the king who reigns over you are followers of Yahweh your God. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionIf you fear YHWH, and have served Him, and listened to His voice, then you do not provoke the mouth of YHWH, and you have been—both you and the king who has reigned over you—after your God YHWH. Berean Literal Bible If you⁺ fear YHWH, and serve Him, and listen to His voice, and do not rebel against the commandment of YHWH, then you⁺ will be well—both you⁺ and the king who reigns over you⁺ after YHWH your⁺ God! Young's Literal Translation 'If ye fear Jehovah, and have served Him, and hearkened to His voice, then ye do not provoke the mouth of Jehovah, and ye have been -- both ye and the king who hath reigned over you -- after Jehovah your God. Smith's Literal Translation If ye will fear Jehovah and serve him, and hear to his voice, and ye shall not rebel against the mouth of Jehovah, and ye shall be, also ye, and the king which reigned over you, after Jehovah your God. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIf you will fear the Lord, and serve him, and hearken to his voice, and not provoke the mouth of the Lord: then shall both you, and the king who reigneth over you, be followers of the Lord your God. Catholic Public Domain Version If you will fear the Lord, and serve him, and listen to his voice, and not provoke the mouth of the Lord, then both you, and the king who rules over you, will be following the Lord your God. New American Bible If you fear and serve the LORD, if you listen to the voice of the LORD and do not rebel against the LORD’s command, if both you and the king, who rules over you, follow the LORD your God—well and good. New Revised Standard Version If you will fear the LORD and serve him and heed his voice and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, and if both you and the king who reigns over you will follow the LORD your God, it will be well; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleIf you will fear the LORD and serve him and obey his voice and not provoke him, then shall both you and also the king who reigns over you continue following the LORD your God. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And if you will stand in awe of LORD JEHOVAH and you will work for him, and you will listen to his voice, and you will not anger him, you and the King who reigns over you will also be following LORD JEHOVAH your God OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917If ye will fear the LORD, and serve Him, and hearken unto His voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, and both ye and also the king that reigneth over you be followers of the LORD your God--; Brenton Septuagint Translation If ye should fear the Lord, and serve him, and hearken to his voice, and not resist the mouth of the Lord, and ye and your king that reigns over you should follow the Lord, well. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Samuel's Farewell Address…13Now here is the king you have chosen, the one you requested. Behold, the LORD has placed a king over you. 14If you fear the LORD and serve Him and obey His voice, and if you do not rebel against the command of the LORD, and if both you and the king who reigns over you follow the LORD your God, then all will be well. 15But if you disobey the LORD and rebel against His command, then the hand of the LORD will be against you as it was against your fathers.… Cross References If you fear the LORD Deuteronomy 6:13 Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name. Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Ecclesiastes 12:13 When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this is the whole duty of man. and serve Him 1 Chronicles 28:9 As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever. Psalm 100:2 Serve the LORD with gladness; come into His presence with joyful songs. Joshua 24:15 But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!” and obey His voice, Exodus 19:5 Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine. Deuteronomy 28:1 “Now if you faithfully obey the voice of the LORD your God and are careful to follow all His commandments I am giving you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. Jeremiah 7:23 but this is what I commanded them: Obey Me, and I will be your God, and you will be My people. You must walk in all the ways I have commanded you, so that it may go well with you. and if you do not rebel against the command of the LORD, Numbers 14:9 Only do not rebel against the LORD, and do not be afraid of the people of the land, for they will be like bread for us. Their protection has been removed, and the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them!” Deuteronomy 1:26 But you were unwilling to go up; you rebelled against the command of the LORD your God. Numbers 20:24 “Aaron will be gathered to his people; he will not enter the land that I have given the Israelites, because both of you rebelled against My command at the waters of Meribah. and if both you and the king who rules over you Deuteronomy 17:18-20 When he is seated on his royal throne, he must write for himself a copy of this instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. / It is to remain with him, and he is to read from it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the LORD his God by carefully observing all the words of this instruction and these statutes. / Then his heart will not be exalted above his countrymen, and he will not turn aside from the commandment, to the right or to the left, in order that he and his sons may reign many years over his kingdom in Israel. 2 Chronicles 34:31-32 So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of the covenant that were written in this book. / Then he had everyone in Jerusalem and Benjamin take a stand in agreement to it. So all the people of Jerusalem carried out the covenant of God, the God of their fathers. 2 Kings 11:17 Then Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people that they would be the LORD’s people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people. follow the LORD your God, Deuteronomy 13:4 You are to follow the LORD your God and fear Him. Keep His commandments and listen to His voice; serve Him and hold fast to Him. Treasury of Scripture If you will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both you and also the king that reigns over you continue following the LORD your God: If ye will Leviticus 20:1-13 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, … Deuteronomy 28:1-14 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: … Joshua 24:14,20 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD… commandment [heb] mouth Jump to Previous Command Commandment Commands Continue Hearing Hearken Obey Orders Rebel Reigneth Reigns Servants Serve VoiceJump to Next Command Commandment Commands Continue Hearing Hearken Obey Orders Rebel Reigneth Reigns Servants Serve Voice1 Samuel 12 1. Samuel testifies his integrity6. He reproves the people of ingratitude 16. He terrifies them with thunder in harvest time 20. he comforts them in God's mercy If you fear the LORD The concept of fearing the LORD is foundational in the Old Testament, signifying reverence, awe, and respect for God's holiness and authority. Proverbs 9:10 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom," highlighting its importance in the believer's life. This fear is not terror but a recognition of God's power and a commitment to live according to His will. and serve Him and obey His voice and if you do not rebel against the command of the LORD and if both you and the king who rules over you follow the LORD your God then all will be well Persons / Places / Events 1. SamuelThe last judge of Israel, a prophet who anointed the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David. He is delivering this message to the Israelites. 2. Israelites The chosen people of God, who have demanded a king to rule over them like other nations. 3. Saul The first king of Israel, anointed by Samuel, who is being addressed indirectly in this passage. 4. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant God of Israel, who desires obedience and reverence from His people. 5. Gilgal The place where Samuel delivered this speech, significant as a site of covenant renewal. Teaching Points Fear of the LORDCultivate a reverent awe of God, recognizing His holiness and authority in your life. Service to God Engage in active service to God, understanding that true service is rooted in love and obedience. Obedience to God's Voice Prioritize listening to and following God's commands as revealed in Scripture. Avoiding Rebellion Guard against the temptation to rebel against God's commands, knowing that rebellion leads to spiritual consequences. Leadership and Accountability Recognize the importance of godly leadership and the mutual responsibility of leaders and followers to adhere to God's will. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 12:14?2. How can we "fear the LORD" in our daily lives today? 3. What does it mean to "serve Him and obey His voice"? 4. How does 1 Samuel 12:14 connect with Jesus' teachings on obedience? 5. What are practical ways to "not rebel against the command of the LORD"? 6. How can leaders ensure they "follow the LORD" in their decision-making? 7. What does 1 Samuel 12:14 teach about obedience to God and leadership? 8. How does 1 Samuel 12:14 relate to the concept of fearing the Lord? 9. What historical context surrounds 1 Samuel 12:14? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 12? 11. Is there any archaeological evidence confirming Samuel’s leadership or the transition he describes in 1 Samuel 12? 12. Why does Samuel’s speech in 1 Samuel 12:14–15 seem at odds with earlier promises of a king in Deuteronomy 17:14–20? 13. Why would God permit ongoing conflict and bloodshed among His chosen people throughout 2 Samuel 20 if the monarchy was divinely sanctioned? 14. 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? What Does 1 Samuel 12:14 Mean If you fear the LORD• “Fear” here is reverent awe, recognizing God’s unmatched holiness and authority. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” • This healthy fear guards the heart against idols (Deuteronomy 10:12–13) and motivates obedience. • Israel’s history shows that when the nation forgot this fear, calamity followed (Judges 2:10–15). and serve Him • Service is practical devotion. Joshua 24:14 calls Israel to “serve Him with all faithfulness.” • True service is wholehearted, not half-time—mirroring Romans 12:1, which urges believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices. • It involves worship, stewardship, and using gifts for His glory (1 Peter 4:10). and obey His voice • Obedience moves beyond hearing; it demands action. Jesus echoes this in John 10:27: “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” • Blessings are tied to obedience (Deuteronomy 28:1–2), while disobedience invites discipline (Hebrews 12:6). • James 1:22 warns, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” and if you do not rebel against the command of the LORD • Rebellion is deliberate resistance. Numbers 14 records how Israel’s rebellion barred a generation from the Promised Land. • Hebrews 3:15 cites that event, urging, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” • Submission safeguards relationship; rebellion ruptures it (1 Samuel 15:23). and if both you and the king who rules over you follow the LORD your God • Leadership sets the spiritual temperature. When the king seeks God, the nation flourishes (2 Chronicles 7:17–18); when he strays, the people follow (1 Kings 12:28–30). • God holds rulers to high account (Psalm 2:10–12). • Citizens are blessed when leaders and people alike pursue righteousness (1 Timothy 2:1–2). then all will be well • “Well” points to covenant wholeness—peace, protection, and prosperity under God’s hand (Jeremiah 7:23). • The promise is conditional: obedience opens the door to God’s favor, while disobedience closes it (Deuteronomy 30:15–18). • Jesus reaffirms the principle: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). summary 1 Samuel 12:14 lays out a simple yet profound covenant path: reverent fear, devoted service, active obedience, rejection of rebellion, and unified leadership under God. Walk that path, and God Himself guarantees that “all will be well.” (14) If ye will fear the Lord . . .--The English Version has missed the point of the original Hebrew of this passage. It should run, "If ye will fear the Lord, &c., . . . and if both ye and the king that reigneth over you will follow the Lord your God, it shall be well with you." Dean Payne Smith has well caught the spirit of the passage in his note: "Samuel piled up one upon another the conditions of their happiness, and then from the depth of his emotion breaks off, leaving the blessed consequences of their obedience unsaid." The intense wish, "O that you would only fear the Lord! O that you and your king would only continue following!" is contained in the Hebrew particle which introduces these ejaculatory sentences. A similar unfinished sentence will be found in St. Luke 19:42, where the apodosis is left to be supplied.Samuel, with mournful earnestness, would drive home to the hearts of the people and their new king the great truth that the past, full of sin and sorrow, was forgiven--that even their present act, which seemed to border on ingratitude to that Mighty One who deigned to concern Himself with the interests of this fickle people, would bring no evil consequences in its track, if only the people and their king would in the future obey the glorious voice of the Eternal. Verse 14. - If ye will fear, etc. This verse, like Luke 19:42, is left unfinished, and we must supply well, as in Exodus 32:32. For the verse cannot be translated as in the A.V., but is as follows: "If ye will fear Jehovah, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment (Hebrew, the mouth) of Jehovah, and if both ye and the king that reigneth over you will follow Jehovah your God, it shall be well." Samuel piles up one upon another the conditions of their happiness, and then from the depth of his emotion breaks off, leaving the blessed consequences of their obedience unsaid. "To follow Jehovah" implies willing and active service as his attendants, going with him where he will, and being ever ready to obey his voice.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Ifאִם־ (’im-) Conjunction Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not you fear תִּֽירְא֣וּ (tî·rə·’ū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten the LORD יְהוָ֗ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel and serve וַעֲבַדְתֶּ֤ם (wa·‘ă·ḇaḏ·tem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 5647: To work, to serve, till, enslave Him אֹתוֹ֙ (’ō·ṯōw) Direct object marker | third person masculine singular Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case and obey וּשְׁמַעְתֶּ֣ם (ū·šə·ma‘·tem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently His voice, בְּקֹל֔וֹ (bə·qō·lōw) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 6963: A voice, sound and if you do not וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no rebel תַמְר֖וּ (ṯam·rū) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 4784: To be contentious or rebellious against אֶת־ (’eṯ-) Preposition Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among the command פִּ֣י (pî) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to of the LORD, יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel and if both גַּם־ (gam-) Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and you אַתֶּ֗ם (’at·tem) Pronoun - second person masculine plural Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you and וְגַם־ (wə·ḡam-) Conjunctive waw | Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and the king הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king who אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that rules מָלַ֣ךְ (mā·laḵ) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 4427: To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel over you עֲלֵיכֶ֔ם (‘ă·lê·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against follow וִהְיִתֶ֣ם (wih·yi·ṯem) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be the LORD יְהוָ֥ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel your God, [then all will be well]. אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ (’ĕ·lō·hê·ḵem) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine plural Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative Links 1 Samuel 12:14 NIV1 Samuel 12:14 NLT 1 Samuel 12:14 ESV 1 Samuel 12:14 NASB 1 Samuel 12:14 KJV 1 Samuel 12:14 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 12:14 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 12:14 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 12:14 French Bible 1 Samuel 12:14 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 12:14 If you will fear Yahweh and serve (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
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